What Is MCS-150 Form?

• Michael Burry
• Feb 25, 2025
• Business Law

What Is MCS-150 Form?

The Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) includes the company’s information that will be used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every organization needs MCS-150 until it becomes operational. 

The form lists various information, such as the company’s contact details and whether it operates interstate commerce or intrastate. It will also indicate the type of goods the company handles, the number of drivers, mileage per year, and the power units consumed.

The FMCSA must be provided with relevant information on the trucking business based on three parameters: compliance, accountability scores, and safety. 

After submitting the information, the FMCSA will assess the accuracy of the company’s USDOT number and USDOT registration. If there are discrepancies between the motor carrier’s information and what the FMCSA has discovered in its records, strict action will be taken against the company. 

An experienced truck accident lawyer may protect your interests if your FMCSA MCS-150 form has not been updated or if the information you provided is incorrect. 

• Brief Overview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Compliance

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), commercial vehicles must comply with safety regulations. It includes MCS-150 form, which is the Motor Carrier Identification Report.   The MCS-150 form must be filed while you register with the FMCSA and it needs to be updated every two years. The MCS 150 update is vital even if there are no changes to the company’s operations and information.  

The form has important information such as the company’s cargo insurance tank facilities, type, fleet size, mileage, and operation classification. Carriers may check their due date and then need to file updates through FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS).

Detailed guide on how to file MCS-150 form

As you are filing for the first time, you must register with the Unified Registration System (URS). It will give you access to the MCS-150 form. There are two filing methods from which you can choose:

1. Online Medium 

2. Filing by mail Medium

3. Fax Medium

• Step-by-step procedure for filing online and offline

Online medium: Online medium is mostly recommended as it is much faster.

In online mediums, you can go to the FMCSA registration portal https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and fill out the registration form. You need to update your PIN and USDOT number for this. 

After this, your USDOT number will be updated, and you can get a printout to keep for records. This method is recommended as it is much faster. 

Filing by mail medium: In this medium, you can fill out your MCS-150 form through the mail, and the processing time may be from 4 to 6 weeks.

Steps:

1. Download an MCS-150 form copy 

2. Complete the form according to the FMCSA instructions 

3. Always ensure to sign the form before applying 

4. Submit the form along with the required documents 

Fax– This option is not recommended due to delays, and a confirmation slip is sometimes not given. In this, you need to fax the MCS-150 form to the FMCSA.

• Why Do You Need the MCS-150 Form?

The MCS-150 form must be filed when a motor carrier designation increases from more than ten vehicles or they want to switch from a passenger vehicle to hazardous material. 

By doing so, the trucking company will ensure that it abides by the regulations and that other requirements are fulfilled appropriately. 

• When To File MCS 150 Forms?

Motor carriers in the United States must file MCS-150 or MCS-150 b forms with the FMCSA when they need a safety permit.

Carriers must submit the MCS 150 form registration every two years or more frequently if their operation or information based on their USDOT number changes. The Department of Transportation (DOT) application form and number will be examined carefully. 

Your DOT number’s second to last digit will determine which year you should fill. The even and odd numbers will determine when you will do the submission. Look at the following guidelines:

1. You can file your MCS-150 form in an even year if your DOT number’s second to last digit happens to be even

2. You can file your MCS-150 form in an odd year if your DOT number’s second to last digit happens to be odd

Furthermore, to ensure the accuracy of the MCS-150 biennial update filing, you must consider the last digit of your DOT number. It will tell you the month in which it is due. Carriers must file their MCS 150 forms promptly and accurately to avoid penalties or delays in their operations.

We can understand this better by using an example. Suppose your USDOT number ends in 34; you must update your MCS-150 form in April 2024 and after two years in April 2026 and follow all the MCS-150 instructions mentioned. The MCS-150 form update must be done every 24 months to keep your business running successfully.

• Common mistakes to avoid while filing the MCS-150 form 

It is important to file the MCS-150 (Motor Carrier Identification Report) in the right way that will help to be in compliance with FMCSA and avoid penalties. Some common mistakes that you need to avoid while filing the MCS-150 form are as follows:

• Failing to File on Time – If you fail to update your MCS-150 form after every two years, it may result in deactivation and fines. 

• Incorrect USDOT Number or PIN – There may be a delay in processing if carriers are using incorrect FMCSA PIN or wrong USDOT number. Therefore, they must ensure that they enter the correct information as they have mentioned in registration. 

• Mismatched Business Information – Carriers need to mention their company name, contact details, and address as mentioned in FMCSA records. If there are any discrepancies, it may cause a delay in processing or rejection. 

• Incorrect Carrier Operation Classification – When you select the wrong carrier type, it can have a negative impact on regulatory compliance reviews. Therefore, you must review FMCSA definitions before selecting the carrier type. 

• Failing to Update Vehicle Mileage & Fleet Size – According to the FMCSA, motor carriers need to mention the most recent mileage from the last calendar year along with accuracy in the vehicle count number. If you provide outdated data, then it can result in compliance issues. 

• Not Keeping a Copy of the Submitted Form – Motor carriers must save a copy of the completed MCS-150 records. It is useful to maintain future updates and audits. 

All motor carriers must ensure that they avoid making such mistakes by double-checking their information and always file on time. For easy submissions, use the FMCSA Unified Registration System (URS).

How Does FMCSA Analyze Your Safety Performance?

According to the Compliance, Safety, and Authority (CSA) program, there are seven Behavior Analysis & Safety Improvement Categories, popularly known as BASICS. These categories are used to determine a motor carrier’s ranking relative to other carriers with the same number of safety events.

Behavior Analysis & Safety Improvement Categories (BASICS) consists of

1. Unsafe Driving: Measures driver violations like speeding and reckless driving.

2. Driver Fitness: Measures driver qualifications by checking their records like CDLs and medical certificates.

3. Hours-of-Service Compliance: Measures how carriers abide by the FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service regulations.

4. Vehicle Maintenance: Measures how carriers maintain their vehicles through Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) and other documents.

5. Controlled Substances: Measures whether carriers have been operating commercial motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

6. Crash Indicator: This indicator analyzes your history of previously reported accidents and crashes. 

7. Hazardous Materials Compliance: This compliance analyzes how hazmat carriers and other operators comply with health and safety information.

The Significance of Timely Updates for MCS-150 form

• Consequences of not updating MCS-150 form regularly

If a motor carrier’s MCS-150 form is out of date, the FMCSA will take strict action against the company. The FMCSA requires carriers to update their form every two years or more frequently if their operation or information changes.

If a carrier fails to update its MCS 150 form within the required timeframe, the FMCSA may consider its operating authority inactive. This can result in the carrier’s operating authority being suspended or revoked. The carrier may also be subject to fines and penalties for failing to comply with FMCSA regulations. A daily fine of $1,000 will be imposed on the company. However, the penalty will not exceed $10,000. Your license may also be revoked, and if you provide misleading information about fuel consumption or other things, a hefty fine of $10,000 will be imposed.

Updating the MCS-150 form will help to improve your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores. The utilization score is awarded based on miles (VMT) reported per power unit (tractor). 

The utilization score ranges from 0 to 1.5, with 0 being the worst and 1.5 being the best. These ranks will help the FMCSA determine high-risk motor carriers that require more monitoring.

Therefore, carriers must keep their MCS-150 form up-to-date and submit it promptly to avoid negative consequences.

• The Role of Updated Information in enhancing road safety and compliance

It is essential to keep FMCSA records updated through the forms like MCS-150. IT helps to maintain road safety and regulatory compliance. By maintaining timely and accurate information, the FMCSA can easily monitor commercial zone motor carriers thereby ensuring only compliant operators are driving on the road. 

Through regular updates of fleet size, operation classification, and fleet size, FMCSA will not only enforce regulations effectively but will also assess safety performance. It will also identify high-risk carriers.

An in-depth look at the PRISM Program and its connection with MCS-150 forms

• Detailed explanation of PRISM (Performance and Registration Information Systems Management)

The PRISM (Performance and Registration Information Systems Management) program is a federal program related to the MCS-150 form in the United States. This program will improve the safety of commercial motor carriers by identifying carriers that pose a safety risk and taking appropriate enforcement actions to mitigate that risk. The main purpose of the program is to comply with safety regulations. 

When a motor carrier files an MCS-150 form, the information provided on the form is entered into the PRISM database. The PRISM program uses this information and other data sources to identify carriers with a higher risk for safety violations, such as carriers with a history of crashes, inspections, or violations.

If the PRISM program identifies a carrier as a potential safety risk, the FMCSA may take enforcement actions, such as increasing inspections or investigations, to mitigate that risk. The PRISM program helps the FMCSA prioritize its enforcement efforts and target carriers that pose the greatest safety risk to the public.

• Impact of PRISM on Carrier's Safety Ratings and Operating Authority

PRISM helps to identify high-risk carriers by integrating data from the FMCSA and state agencies by enforcing compliance with safety regulations. Motor carriers who have poor safety records and fail to update information in the MCS-150 form may face out-of-service orders and USDOT number deactivation.  

PRISM will directly impact on carrier’s safety rating and the capability to operate legally by ensuring all the states have suspended vehicle registrations for motor carriers who are unsafe. Those carriers who are non-compliant may face a decline in the CSA scores and an increase in FMCSA audits. The carriers who maintain compliance and update their records protect their operating authority and maintain a positive safety reputation thereby facing fewer regulatory hurdles. 

Involved In a Truck Accident That Has An Expired MCS-150 Form? Talk To An Accident Attorney

Suppose you need legal help with the MCS-150 form or any other legal matter. In that case, you may consider contacting an experienced truck accident lawyer specializing in transportation law or personal injury law. They may help you if you are involved in a truck accident with a vehicle whose MCS-150 form has expired.