Motor carrier identification

Scope

This regulation applies to motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce and intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) involved in interstate commerce. It also applies to motor carriers operating in intrastate commerce that are hauling hazardous materials requiring a safety permit.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 390.19T — Motor carrier, hazardous material safety permit applicant/holder, and intermodal equipment provider identification reports

Key definitions

• Commercial motor vehicle (CMV): A self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway, in interstate commerce, that meets any one of the following criteria:
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW), of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), and not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  • Is transporting hazardous materials of a type or quantity which requires placarding.

• Interchange: Providing intermodal equipment to a motor carrier according to an agreement for the purpose of transporting the equipment for loading or unloading by any person or repositioning the equipment for the benefit of the equipment provider.

• Intermodal equipment: Trailing equipment (usually container chassis) that is used in the intermodal transportation of intermodal cargo containers over public highways.

• Intermodal equipment provider (IEP): Any person that interchanges intermodal equipment with a motor carrier according to a written agreement or has contractual responsibility for the maintenance of the intermodal equipment.

• Intermodal transportation: The use of more than one mode (for example rail and highway) to deliver a shipment.

Summary of requirements

Each U.S.-domiciled, Canada-domiciled, Mexico-domiciled, or non-North American-domiciled motor carrier conducting operations in interstate commerce must file a Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150.

Form MCS-150. A motor carrier conducting operations in intrastate commerce and requiring a safety permit under Part 385, Subpart E must file a Combined Motor Carrier Identification Report and HM Permit Application, Form MCS-150B.

Form MCS-150B. Each IEP that offers intermodal equipment for transportation in interstate commerce must file an Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report, Form MCS-150C.

Form MCS-150B. Each motor carrier or IEP must file the appropriate form:

• Before starting operations, and
• Once every 24 months.

Timetable for filing. If the next-to-last digit of the USDOT number is odd, the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider must file the appropriate form in every odd-numbered calendar year. If the next-to-last digit of the USDOT number is even, the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider must file the appropriate form in every even-numbered calendar year.

Motor carriers and IEPs are required to file the appropriate form according to the following schedule:

A person that fails to complete biennial updates to the information is subject to the penalties prescribed in 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B) or 49 U.S.C. 14901(a), and deactivation of its USDOT number.

Form MCS-150, Form MCS-150B, and Form MCS-150C can be obtained:

• At all FMCSA Service Centers and Division Offices,
• From FMCSA’s website, or
• By calling (800) 832-5660.

The completed Form MCS-150, Form MCS-150B, or Form MCS-150C must be filed with the FMCSA Office of Registration and Safety Information.

The completed Form MCS-150, Form MCS-150B, or Form MCS-150C may be filed electronically according to the instructions listed at FMCSA’s website (see above), or it may be sent to the following address:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Office of Registration and Safety Information (MC-RS)
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE.
Washington, DC 20590

A for-hire motor carrier should submit Form MCS-150 or Form MCS-150B along with its application for operating authority (Form OP-1, OP-1 (MX), OP-1 (NNA), or OP-2) to the appropriate address referenced on that form, or may submit it (electronically or by mail) separately to the FMCSA Office of Registration and Safety Information.

Only the legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier or IEP may be used on Form MCS-150, Form MCS-150B, or Form MCS-150C.

A motor carrier or IEP that fails to file Form MCS-150, Form MCS-150B, or Form MCS-150C, furnishes misleading information, or makes false statements, is subject to the penalties prescribed in 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B).

Once Form MCS-150, Form MCS-150B, or Form MCS-150C is received and processed, FMCSA will issue the motor carrier or IEP a USDOT number. The motor carrier must display the number on each self-propelled CMV, along with the information required by §390.21.

Pre-authorization Mexico-domiciled motor carrier. A Mexico-domiciled motor carrier seeking to provide transportation of property or passengers in interstate commerce between Mexico and points in the United States beyond the municipalities and commercial zones along the United States-Mexico international border must pass a pre-authorization safety audit under §365.507T. FMCSA will not issue a USDOT number until expiration of the protest period under §365.115 or if a protest is received, after FMCSA denies or rejects the protest.

Pre-authorization non-North America-domiciled motor carrier. A non-North America-domiciled motor carrier seeking to provide transportation of property or passengers in interstate commerce within the United States must pass a pre-authorization safety audit under §385.607T(c). FMCSA will not issue a USDOT number until expiration of the protest period under §365.115 or if a protest is received, after FMCSA denies or rejects the protest.

Exception. A motor carrier that registers its vehicles in a state that participates in the Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program is exempt from this requirement, provided the motor carrier files all the required information with the appropriate state office.