How Do I Check My MCS-150 Status?
Whether you operate as a carrier or owner-operator, you have to take several steps to remain in good standing with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), from obtaining your USDOT number to gathering crucial safety and financial information.
Although getting your USDOT number is a one-time thing, maintaining it is a long-term responsibility. For instance, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires carriers and owner-operators to update their MCS-150 or Motor Carrier Information Report every other year. As such, you may be wondering, "How do I check my MCS-150 status?"
Keeping your USDOT number up to date is incredibly important if you want to stay in good standing with the U.S. DOT, so you need to know how and when to update it properly. Here's everything you need to know about getting an MCS-150 update.
How to Check the Status of Your MCS-150
Before completing an updated MCS-150 form, you need to determine when you last updated it. So how can you check this?
Visit the FMCSA Website
The fastest and easiest way to check the status of your MCS-150 is by visiting the FMCSA Safer website. Then, follow these steps:
- Enter your DOT number.
- View your company snapshot. You should see "FMCSA Form Date" on the left of the report.
If the "FMCSA Form Date" is over two years old, you need to update your MCS-150 as soon as possible. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy process that Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings can help you with. Simply click on the link to update the MCS-150 Form.
Check Your USDOT Number
Another way to check the status of your MCS-150 is by checking your USDOT number. The second to last digit of your number is the year that you need to renew your MCS-150.
For instance, if the second to last digit is an odd number, you must renew your MCS-150 in years that end with odd numbers. And if it's an even number, you must renew during the years that end in even numbers.
Say, for example, the second to last digit on your USDOT number is a four. Since this is an even number, you will need to renew your MCS-150 in 2024, 2026, etc.
If the digit is a three, you need to renew in 2023, 2025, and so on.
The second to last digit tells you the year that you need to renew, but the very last digit tells you the month. Deadlines for updating MCS-150s run from January (1) to October (0). So, for example, if the last digit is a five, then you need to renew in May.
Let's do a quick recap: check your USDOT number (really just the last two digits). If the last two digits are "23," then you need to renew in even years (with 2024 being the next one) and in March.
MCS-150 Requirements
Now you know the answer to "How do I Check my MCS-150 status?" But you also need to make sure you understand the various MCS-150 requirements.
To properly enforce DOT regulations, the FMCSA requires carriers and owner-operators to follow numerous safety regulations. As such, the MCS-150 form requires you to include a lot of different information, such as:
- USDOT number
- Legal business name
- The number of vehicles
- MC number
- The type of company (hazardous vs. nonhazardous materials, etc.)
- Milage for the carrier
- Operation type (broker, freight, forwarder, carrier, etc.)
- Cargo classification
Why You Need to File The MCS-150 On Time
The primary reason for motor carriers to fail compliance regulations with MCS-150 is not filing their updated forms by the required deadline. However, a lack of compliance isn't the only thing that happens when you fail to update your MCS-150 on time.
The purpose of the MCS-150 is to ensure safety and well-being among carriers, so it's no surprise that the FMCSA takes it very seriously. As such, if you fail to update your MCS-150 status, you will lose your ability to maintain operating authority in addition to:
- USDOT number deactivation
- Up to $1,000 of fines per day
- Inability to run the business
As you can see, failing to update your MCS-150 can lead to several consequences that ultimately impact your business operations. Fortunately, it's pretty simple to check your status and update your forms.
At Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings, we know that carriers and owner-operators have a lot to take on when running a successful business. From managing fleets to keeping your DOT number up to date, you have to take on a lot of different responsibilities, especially if you want to remain FMCSA compliant.
Fortunately, we can help.
We help businesses around the United States remain compliant with the U.S. DOT by helping them file important forms and navigate regulations. Now that you know the answer to "How do I check my MCS-150 status?" contact our team or speak with one of our Live Agents to learn more. We can help you figure out what to do if you have incorrect information on your MCS-150, determine your renewal date, and more.