Glossary · FMCSA & freight
MCS-150
Also called: MCS-150 biennial update, Motor Carrier Identification Report, Biennial update
Definition
The MCS-150 is FMCSA's Motor Carrier Identification Report, the form a carrier files to register and update its USDOT record, including contacts, officers and fleet size.
Carriers file it before starting operations and update it every 24 months on a schedule set by the USDOT number (49 CFR 390.19T). The last digit sets the month: 1 for January through 9 for September, and 0 for October. The next-to-last digit sets the year: odd digits file in odd years, even digits in even years. Missing the update can bring penalties and deactivation of the USDOT number.
Updates feed FMCSA's census file, including phone, email, address, company officers, power units and drivers, along with the mcs150_date of the latest filing. Under Motus, carriers complete their biennial update in the new system.
For a factor, an MCS-150 update is the trail an account takeover leaves. A new phone and email filed shortly before a factoring application is a classic pattern. Fraudsters have also emailed carriers fake MCS-150 forms to harvest USDOT PINs and Social Security numbers.
Sources
- 0149 CFR 390.19T: Motor carrier identification reports (MCS-150) · eCFR
- 02Federal Register: Availability of Motus, FMCSA's New Registration System · FMCSA notice, 2026-04-29
- 03Land Line: FMCSA warns truckers about phishing email scam · 2024-08-07
- 04FMCSA Company Census File · data.transportation.gov