USDOT Numbers & Registering with the FMCSA
WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER WITH THE FMCSA?
Companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers, or hauling cargo, in intrastate/interstate commerce must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number, including freight brokers. The USDOT Number serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company’s safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections. The Compliance Safety and Accountability (CSA) program also uses USDOT numbers and other means of identification to track both commercial motor vehicles’ and drivers’ adherence to safety rules.
FMCSA ONLINE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING SYSTEM
There is no application fee ever associated with the USDOT number however you must complete the MCS-150
(Motor Carrier Identification Report) to obtain the number. The form can be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/registration-forms. If you do not have access to the internet you can call the FMCSA toll free number 1-800-832-5660 to request a form be mailed to you.
Interstate operating authority is required to transport property (regulated commodities) or passengers’ for-hire in interstate commerce. Please see below. To register online you can access the form at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration.
WHEN DO I UPDATE MY MCS-150 FORM?
All motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate or intrastate commerce are required to file an updated form MCS-150 (Motor Carrier Identification Report) every two years or, if the company information changes. As of February 4, 2018, FMCSA is no longer accepting expired paper versions of the MCS-150, MCS-150B and MCS-150C forms. Please visit the FMCSA Registration Forms webpage if you would like to access the updated forms with an expiration date of 4/30/2019.
Note: FMCSA will accept system-generated forms prepared by MCMIS. Visit the FMCSA Registration system to update online with your USDOT PIN. You may also contact the FMCSA directly at 1-800-832-5660 to request an updated form be mailed to you.