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The MCS-150 is used by carriers only to complete the required biennial update — MCS-150 is no longer used to obtain a USDOT number. New entrant motor carriers use an online-only form, MCSA-1, to obtain a USDOT number. The MCSA-1 form was implemented as part of FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS-1) initiative to consolidate enterprise systems into one easy-to-use system.
The MCS-150 form must be filed at least biennially (every two years) with the FMCSA by all motor carriers operating Commercial Motor Vehicles as defined in 390.5 and intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) operating in interstate commerce.
DOT policy is one USDOT number per corporate entity. A single entity, with several divisions, all operating under the same Federal Tax Identification Number (FEIN) should have a single USDOT number. The divisions should not file an MCS-150 and obtain separate USDOT numbers.
Certain carriers of hazardous materials must obtain an FMCSA Hazardous Materials Safety Permit. Again, new entrant carriers use the MCSA-1 form to obtain the permit. Existing carriers use the MCS-150B “Combined Motor Carrier Identification Report and HM Permit Application” to complete the biennial update. A hazardous materials safety permit is required only if transporting the types of hazardous materials listed in 385.403.
New Intermodal equipment providers that offer intermodal equipment for transportation in interstate commerce must file MCSA-1 to obtain registration, while existing providers continue to use the MCS-150C, “Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report” to update their information with the FMCSA.
When filing electronically, a Personal Identification Number (PIN) is issued either by e-mail or mail; preserve the PIN to access the MCS-150 information for updating. Applicants for both a USDOT number and for-hire operating authority/MC Number will receive two PINs (one for the USDOT number and one for the MC Number).
Biennial updates. All motor carriers are required to file a Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) before beginning operations and once every 24 months thereafter. The schedule for updating the MCS-150 information is listed in 390.19(b).
Entities that fail to submit their biennial MCS-150 update as required by 390.19(b) are subject to penalties and deactivation of the USDOT number (390.19(b)(4)).
A PIN is required to access information for updating. PINs may be requested online and may either be e-mailed or mailed to the requesting party. Be sure and request the correct PIN; separate PINs are required for the MCS-150/USDOT number and for the MC-Number/Docket Number.
Provisions with an effective date to-be-determined. Eventually, the FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS-1) will be implemented, which makes the following changes:
Also as a part of the URS-1, private carriers and exempt for-hire carriers will also be required to make certain filings to the FMCSA.
Online filing. The MCS-150 can be updated electronically and this is the recommended filing method. A credit card is required to act as a digital “signature,” though there is no charge for filing an MCS-150.
At a later date to be determined by the FMCSA, the MCSA-1 will eventually replace the MCS-150 forms and the authority application forms and filing will be electronic only.