What Is Carrier Mileage on MCS-150?

All USDOT number holders must submit an updated MCS-150 every other year to remain compliant with FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Whether you own a fleet or work as an owner-operator, you know how important it is to keep your DOT number updated, and an important part of that is updating the MCS-150. 

The MCS-150 form requires a lot of information, like company name and carrier mileage. But what is carrier mileage on MCS-150 forms?

Basically, the carrier mileage is the total mileage of all a company's commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in the last calendar year. Failure to properly follow MCS-150 update regulations could lead to DOT number deactivation, fines, and many other consequences. 

We know that you have a lot of rules and regulations to follow in order to remain compliant and stay in good standing with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). But one of the most important things for you to do is make sure that all information on your MCS-150 is correct. So below, we explain what carrier mileage is, how you can update it on your MCS-150, and other things you need to do when updating your MCS-150.

What Is the MCS-150, and Why Does it Need Carrier Mileage Information?

The MCS-150 is the Motor Carrier Identification Report. To obtain a DOT number, you must complete this form and submit it to the FMCSA. You also need to update this form every two years to remain compliant and avoid various financial and legal consequences. 

Completing this form requires you to provide a lot of different information, including mileage. Essentially, the FMCSA requires carriers and owner-operators to complete and routinely update an MCS-150 to ensure proper safety and operations. 

What's Mileage?

So what is carrier mileage on MCS-150 updates?

When a company owns a fleet of vehicles, it must register each and every one of them with the FMCSA. When filling out the MCS-150, the company must list the number of vehicles it has in its fleet.

However, if this number changes, the company must report this updated information as soon as possible rather than waiting for the planned MCS-150 update. Failure to do so could lead to DOT identification number deactivation, fines, and several other consequences that can make it difficult or even impossible for the company to continue operations. 

In addition to reporting the number of trucks in a fleet, companies must also report the total mileage, or total miles traveled, for all those vehicles. While there is some room for error, the FMCSA doesn't allow your margin of error to exceed 10,000 miles. 

How Can You Update Mileage on the MCS-150?

When the time comes to update your MCS-150 mileage, you can do so easily by contacting Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings. One of our Live Agents would be happy to help you with your updates.

When Should You Update Your MCS-150?

As we already mentioned, failing to update your MCS-150 on time can lead to several serious consequences. Updating the form is relatively easy, so you don't want want to lose DOT number activation just because you weren't sure of deadlines. 

If you don't know when you need to update your MCS-150, here are two ways to tell:

• Check your USDOT Number: The last digit is the month you need to renew, while the second to last digit is the year. If the second to last digit is an odd number, then you need to renew in odd years (2023, 2025, etc.). Similarly, if it's an even number, you need to renew in even years (2024, 2026, etc.).
• Visit the FMCSA Safer website: When you visit the website, check the "MCS-150 Form Date."

If you update your MCS-150 online, the FMCSA processes it immediately. But it can take around three to four weeks if you do so via email, mail, or fax. 

What Are the Consequences of Filing Late or Incorrectly?

Although you do have some wiggle room for reporting fleet mileage, you want to make sure that all information you report is completely accurate. Failing to report essential information or missing updates deadlines can leave you with fines of up to $1,000 per day and DOT number deactivation. 

If you lose your DOT number or fail any other areas of compliance with the U.S. DOT, it could put your business in jeopardy. That's why it's crucial to take every step you can to ensure your company follows all necessary rules and regulations. FMCA Filings knows that this isn't always as simple or straightforward as we would like, so we help businesses across the U.S. with their compliance needs. 

Whether you're an owner-operator or exempt-for-hire motor carrier, we can help you navigate the various DOT regulations and help you stay compliant. Contact us to get answers to questions like "What is carrier mileage on MCS-150 updates?" and more. We have professional Live Agents ready to help you with all your MCS-150 needs!