Updates to the FMCSA
A motor carrier with a DOT number is required to update information with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration) every two years. This is achieved by updating the MCS-150 information. The key is the last two digits of the motor carrier’s DOT number.
- The last number is the month, with number one being January through zero being October. No one is required to update in November or December
- The second number from the end is the year determination, even or odd. (ie: 1,3,5,7,9 are odd numbers)
- Example: DOT #2260594 – to be updated April of every odd year
Two areas that must be updated are the number of power units and the annual miles. If a motor carrier has not done so, then they are “flagged”. This means they are now on the DOT Watch List, which could lead to a visit by the DOT.
Warning vs. Ticket
Did you know that receiving a warning instead of a ticket is not always the best? Both warnings and tickets show up on your CSA score, however, with a ticket you can go to court and if dismissed you can do a “dataQ” and it will be removed. A warning gives you nothing to fight but still shows on your score. http://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov
Intrastate vs. Interstate
Did you know that the freight dictates if you are intrastate or interstate? It is in the paperwork.
Example #1: If the pallet is processed in Wisconsin and delivered in Wisconsin but is for a company in another state, it is interstate.
Example #2: A widget comes from overseas – paper work is for delivery to a specific person/customer in Wisconsin - it is interstate. However, if the company buys to stock at their warehouse in Wisconsin and the specific person/customer buys from them later and is in Wisconsin – It is intrastate even though it came from overseas originally.
What is the advice? Motor Carriers should declare they are interstate so they are always in compliance.
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