Form MCS-150 at a glance
What it is: United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Motor Carrier Identification Report (Application for USDOT Number) FORM MCS-150
Where and when to file: To complete and submit application form(s), go to: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration.
These instructions assume that the applicant has determined that a USDOT Number is required and that the MCS-150 form must be submitted.
A filled-in Form MCS-150 example: a new trucking company applies for a USDOT Number
How to fill out Form MCS-150, box by box
Reason for filing
If you would like to: Select the following under “Reason for Filing”: Complete the following form items: Obtain a USDOT Number - first time filer. NEW APPLICATION All applicable items (1-31); exclude items 16 and 28.
File the formal MCS-150 Biennial Update, or update MCS-150 information. BIENNIAL UPDATE OR CHANGES All applicable items 1-16, 21, 30-31, and any others where information has changed since the company's last update.
Notify FMCSA that the company is no longer operating as an interstate Motor Carrier. OUT OF BUSINESS NOTIFICATION All applicable items 1-16 and 30-31.
Reapply after New Entrant Registration has been revoked (USDOT Number inactivated). REAPPLICATION (AFTER REVOCATION OF NEW ENTRANT) All applicable items (1-31). In item 16 enter the USDOT Number previously assigned to the company.
Reactivate your inactive USDOT Number. REACTIVATE All applicable items (1-31). In item 16 enter the USDOT Number.
Legal business name and doing business as name
Legal Business Name - This is the legal name of the business entity that owns/controls the Motor Carrier operation. The name entered here should be the full legal business name (the name on the incorporation certificate, partnership agreement, tax records, etc.).
Doing Business As Name - Enter the company's trade name if it is different from the company's official business name (the name entered in item 1).
Principal Place of Business 3-6
3-6. Principal Place of Business - Enter the physical address of where the company is engaged in business operations related to the transportation of persons or property and where safety records are regularly maintained.
Note: FMCSA will not accept a P.O. Box, private mailbox, virtual work center, or other location with no legal or functional relationship to the applicant's business.
Mailing address 8-11
8-11. Mailing Address - Enter the mailing address where the company wants all its FMCSA correspondence to be sent (this may be a P.O. Box). If all parts of the mailing address are the same as the “Principal Place of Business” (items 3-6), check the “Same as Principal Address” button and skip items 8-11.
However, if any parts of the mailing and principal addresses differ, check the “Mailing address below” button and complete all items 8-11.
Principal Business Phone Number
Principal Business Phone Number - Enter the primary telephone number, including area code, for the “Principal Place of Business” (items 3-6). This may be a cell phone number.
USDOT Number
16. USDOT Number - If the company is not a new applicant (that is, if it already has a USDOT Number) enter the company's USDOT Number.
MC or MX Number
17. MC or MX Number - If the company has already been assigned an “MC” or “MX” identification number for Interstate FMCSA Operating Authority, enter the number. This includes MC or MX numbers that are pending.
Dun and Bradstreet Number
18. Dun & Bradstreet Number - If the company has a Dun & Bradstreet identifier number, enter it.
IRS/Tax ID Number
19. IRS/Tax ID Number - Enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned to the Motor Carrier company by the Internal Revenue Service.
E-Mail Address and Carrier Mileage
E-Mail Address - Enter the e-mail address, if the company has one, for the official point of contact.
21. Carrier Mileage - Enter the total mileage of all Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) in the company's operation to the nearest 10,000 miles for the previous 12 months.
If the company has been in operation less than 12 months, enter mileage operated to date.
If the company has not operated within the last 12 months, enter 0.
Company Operations
22. Company Operations - The company operation type will tell FMCSA what type(s) of Motor Carrier or Hazardous Materials Shipper operations the company plans to provide.
If you select only Hazmat Shipper (no carrier operation) from the list, the company is not required to obtain a USDOT Number, so no filing is needed.
More rules for Form MCS-150
When completing the application, please print clearly in ink or type all information.
NOTE: Applications that are incomplete, unreadable, or unsigned will be rejected and returned via mail, delaying the receipt of the company's USDOT Number.
Operation Classifications to Driver Information
The company was previously assigned a USDOT Number, or is Hazmat Shippers only
NOTE: If the company was previously assigned a USDOT Number, do NOT submit this form to obtain a new USDOT Number.
Companies that are Hazmat Shippers only (don't provide carrier transport) do not need a USDOT Number to operate and therefore are not required to file this form.
You fill out Operation Classifications
23. Operation Classifications - Operation classification is based on the type of business the company is engaged in and will help determine the FMCSA regulations the company is subject to.
NOTE: If you select “Authorized For-Hire Carrier” as one of the company's operation classifications, the company will also be required to obtain Interstate Operating Authority (MC or MX Number) by filing the appropriate OP form with the FMCSA.
You fill out Cargo Classifications
Cargo Classifications - Refers to the types of materials the company transports or ships (offers for transport).
Select all the letters corresponding to the types of cargo the company transports/ships.
The Motor Vehicles and Drive Away/Towaway options require Class 9 be marked under #25 for Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials.
You fill out Hazardous Materials
25. Hazardous Materials (Carrier or Shipper) - Complete this item only if the company transports or ships (offers for transport) Hazardous Materials. Otherwise, proceed to item 26.
You fill out Driver Information
27. Driver Information - Enter the number of interstate and intrastate drivers who operate CMVs for the company on an average workday.
NOTE: The total number of drivers should be equal to all interstate plus all intrastate drivers.
The total number of CDL drivers should be equal to or less than the total number of drivers.
Your USDOT Number is currently revoked
If the company's USDOT Number and registration are currently revoked by FMCSA - Enter the company's assigned USDOT Number in the space provided.
You are a Passenger Carrier
29. Passenger Carrier Compliance Certification - All Passenger Carrier applicants must complete this section. Read the statement and select the “YES” response only if the statement is true.
You sign the Certification Statement
31. Certification Statement - Print or type the name of the individual authorized to sign documents on behalf of the entity listed in item 1 (Name of Motor Carrier).
This individual must sign, date, and print or type his/her name and title in the spaces provided.
The authorized signer in this item should match one of the names provided in response to item 30.
NOTE: If this form is not signed and dated with a printed/typed name and title of an authorized individual, the application will be rejected and a USDOT Number will NOT be assigned.
Common questions about Form MCS-150
How do I file form mcs 150?
There are two options for filing the necessary forms to obtain a USDOT Number: • Completing and filing the required MCS-150 forms online; or • Completing a printed copy and mailing to the FMCSA. Upon submission, a USDOT Number for the company is issued immediately, if the application is approved.
Can I get a DOT without an LLC?
Sole Proprietorship/Individual, enter the legal name, e.g., “John A. Doe”
Where do I file it?
Mail completed application form(s) to: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminisration Attention: USDOT Number Application 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W65-206 Washington, DC 20590
Is there a penalty?
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that the information entered on this report is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, correct, and complete.
Sources
[1] Form MCS-150 (Rev 2/25), Motor Carrier Identification Report (Application for USDOT Number), U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the Official source link on this page).
