On April 1, 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revised its regulations regarding the Motor Carrier Identification Report. The more common name for this report is MCS-150. For the past 18 years, the FMCSA has required motor carriers to update the report at least once every 24 months. This is true even if the motor carrier has no changes to report. The requirement came about in response to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, Section 217.
Purpose of the MCS-150 Form
In December 2015, the FMCSA changed its ruling regarding this form. After that date, motor carriers could only use it to update their registration information with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Those wishing to register for the first time must go through a separate process with the USDOT.
Company representatives updating the form should indicate one of the following business models:
- Broker
- Cargo tank facility
- Freight forwarder
- Motor carrier
- Shipper
He or she should then proceed with on-screen instructions.
Filing options to update an MCS-150 Number
The simplest way to update your information with the FMCSA is to complete an online form. The organization recommends the online option since it asks simple yes or no questions and comes complete with built-in edits and checks. It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the form online.
You can also print out a blank MSC-150 form, fill it in, scan it, and upload it to the FMCSA website. If you choose this option, the FMCSA will provide you with a tracking number to help you follow the update progress. A second option is to fax the completed form to 202-366-3477. You also have the option to mail in the form. After checking to ensure that you have answered all questions and signed the MCS-150, mail it to the following address:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Office of Registration and Safety Information
Room W65-206
Attn: Registration and Licensing Team
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Keep in mind that it can take four to six weeks for the FMCSA to process your MCS-150 form request. Additionally, the agency can return the form if it’s incomplete, not signed, or illegible. This could prevent you from completing your duties in the meantime, which is why the FMCSA recommends the online registration update option.
So, that is how you can update your Motor Carrier Identification Report. It’s important to keep your information up-to-date. There are a few options for you to be able to do that, so you can choose what is most convenient for you.
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