The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration monitors and enforces compliance regulations for motor carriers. They also mandate all interstate motor carriers to file an MCS-150 every 24 months based on the last two digits of their USDOT Number. But the filing often causes headaches, especially for small trucking businesses and independent owner-operators. Continue reading as Global Multi Services gives detailed information about filing the MCS-150 update.

BIENNIAL UPDATES FOR MCS-150 FORM

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires trucking companies to update their information every two years. It is compulsory even if they have not changed their company’s information, no longer operate interstate, or are not in business and did not notify FMCSA.

While there are third-party companies that can take on the responsibility of submitting the form for you, keeping the MCS-150 up to date can be as simple as updating your annual mileage if there are no significant changes to an operation.

REASON FOR FILING THE MCS-150 UPDATE

Trucking companies must file their MC-150 update more frequently if their operations change. This is because the information on the MCS-150, such as the number of power units and annualized vehicle miles traveled, is used in the Safety Measurement System to calculate their safety performance under the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program. Additionally, according to the FMCSA FAQ, updating their MC-150 can improve their scores. Hence, it is compulsory to update your MC-150 as soon as there is a change.

HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHEN TO FILE THE MCS-150 FORM

The deadline for when a carrier must submit an updated MCS-150 form is determined by the last two digits of the USDOT Number. The last digit in the USDOT Number indicates the filing month. And the second to last digit of the USDOT Number dictates the filing year. Therefore, if the second to last digit is even, you report in an even number of years, and for an odd digit, your reporting year will be an odd number. For example, if your USDOT Number ends in 34. The three imply you must file your MC-150 every odd year. And the four represent the due month.

HOW TO FILE MCS-150

The MC-150 form includes information on the carrier, the number of miles traveled the previous year, the freight hauled, insurance information, and others. Additionally, motor carriers need their USDOT Number and a USDOT pin to submit the update.

MCS-150 form can be filled out online, by fax, or by mail.

ON-LINE FILING

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration encourages trucking companies to print all related form instructions before completing the online forms.
• Then visit the FMCSA Online Registration System to complete and submit an application form.
• FMCSA will update the MC-150 form after approval.
• FMCSA suggests trucking companies generate and print their updated MCS-150 report for record-keeping.

MAIL OR FAX

• All required MCS-150 forms are mailed to the FMCSA address.
• Mailed applications often take four to six weeks of processing time.
• FMCSA will update the MC-150 form after approval.
• FMCSA suggests trucking companies generate and print their updated MCS-150 report for record-keeping.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration encourages applicants to use the electronic online update process because it has built-in edit checks and simple yes-and-no questions for easy, accurate completion. The estimated time to complete the form online is approximately twenty minutes, making it faster when compared to applying by mail.

CAUSES OF NON-COMPLIANCE

• Motor carriers fall into non-compliance with the MCS-150 registration when they fail to complete the mandatory biennial update.
• A lapse in providing proof of the federally required minimum level of insurance can also lead to fines and penalties.
• Providing fraudulent or false information on the MCS-150 form is considered a violation and leads to a hefty penalty.
• If a motor carrier’s MCS-150 falls out of date, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can deactivate their USDOT Number, and the company could face penalties.

Therefore, trucking companies should implement a sound system of reminders to remain in compliance. The MCS-150 form needs to be updated when changes are made in the company’s operation.

ABOUT GLOBAL MULTI SERVICES

Global Multi Services help trucking companies file MC-150 update and meet other trucking needs.