To help motor carriers comply with this requirement, FMCSA typically mails a biennial package to carriers about a month before they are due to update this information. The package includes a pre-printed MCS-150 containing the information in FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System Census file and a list of the FMCSA Division office phone numbers for carriers to contact with questions.
All motor carriers operating in interstate or foreign commerce are required to file the MCS-150 before beginning operation. Carriers need a valid Visa or MasterCard to act as a digital signature when applying for a USDOT number electronically. The credit card is used only for digital signature purposes, and there is no charge for filling out the application on-line. Verification of the card will place the cardholder's name on the MCS-150 as the signature. Digital signatures are as legally binding as actual signatures, FMCSA warned.
The agency added that motor carriers that submit similar information to the appropriate state commercial motor vehicle (CMV) registration office as part of its annual vehicle registration requirement under the Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) do not have to file that same information again with FMCSA.
