MCS-150 / Biennial updates are required for trucking companies and brokers to maintain their US DOT number. Updates need to be filed biennially or with greater frequency if the following changes are made to the business:
– Modification to the company name
– Change of the business address
– Switching operating authority type
– Qualifying as a hazardous materials carrier
– Adding/reducing number of vehicles in the company fleet
– Changing any other aspect of the business (if there is any uncertainty whether a business change requires an MCS-150 update, agents are available to help clarify the requirements)
Why is it important to file an MCS 150 update every time a change is made to a trucking business?
Agents recommend submitting an MCS-150 update with every business change so that the FMCSA can accurately calculate a company’s safety performance score and prevent any audits due to the truck count not matching the UCR (Unified Carrier Registration). The FMCSA’s new safety measurement system includes three metrics: Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA). Out-of-date or otherwise inaccurate data can negatively impact a trucking company’s safety scores and subsequently, the whole business.
For faster processing times, company officers should be prepared to input the company’s US DOT PIN number. If you do not have a US DOT PIN number you can request a new one. You can proceed without submitting a US DOT PIN, at which point an agent will reach out via email with the necessary forms to be signed and completed. This process does take longer.
