Outdated MCS-150 could be hurting your CSA score

When fleet operators think about CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores, the focus is usually on driving behavior, vehicle maintenance, or hours-of-service compliance. But what if your CSA score is being dragged down by something as simple and fixable – as outdated paperwork?

That’s exactly what can happen if your MCS-150 form – the Motor Carrier Identification Report – isn’t up to date. It may not seem like a big deal, but the impact can ripple across your entire business, from inflated CSA scores and higher insurance premiums to lost business opportunities and unnecessary inspections.

In this article, we break down what the MCS-150 is, how it directly affects your CSA score, and what you can do to ensure your fleet stays compliant, competitive, and in control.

What is the MCS-150?

The MCS-150 is a required filing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that includes key operational data about your fleet:

• Number of vehicles
• Number of drivers
• Annual mileage
• Operation classification (interstate/intrastate, private/for-hire)
• Types of cargo transported

In short, it’s your fleet’s public profile – and it must be updated every 24 months, or whenever major changes occur. Letting your MCS-150 lapse doesn’t just lead to outdated records – it can seriously disrupt your business operations, potentially resulting in your DOT number being deactivated by the FMCSA and your fleet taken off the road.

How MCS-150 data impacts CSA scores

CSA scores are calculated within peer groups – carriers with similar size, operation type, and mileage. FMCSA uses this data to compare your fleet against others in your category. But if your MCS-150 is outdated, your fleet may be placed in the wrong comparison group. That means your performance is being measured against carriers that don’t reflect your real size or operations – inflating your CSA scores and giving the impression your fleet poses a greater risk than it actually does.

For example, if you operate a fleet of 75 vehicles but your MCS-150 only reflects 30, you may be unfairly grouped with smaller fleets that have fewer inspections, skewing your scores and increasing your risk exposure.

The result? Your CSA score could take a hit through no fault of your own.

The real-world consequences of outdated data

Letting your MCS-150 slip through the cracks can lead to:

1. Inflated CSA percentile scores

   Being misclassified can increase your percentile rankings across BASICs – even if your safety performance hasn’t changed.

2. Insurance and business risk

   CSA scores are used by insurers to assess risk. A higher score can lead to premium hikes – or even denied coverage. Shippers and brokers also use CSA data when selecting carriers.

3. More audits and inspections

   High CSA scores can put you on the radar for FMCSA or roadside inspections. So, if your score is inflated due to inaccurate data, you’re drawing unnecessary attention.

Red flags that your MCS-150 may be outdated

• CSA score has recently increased without a clear reason
• Fleet size, mileage, or cargo type has changed but isn’t reflected in your FMCSA profile
• You haven’t updated your MCS-150 in over a year

How to stay compliant

Check your status

Go to the FMCSA SAFER website and search for your DOT number to view your current MCS-150 filing. You can also see your scheduled update month based on the last digit of your DOT number – which determines your filing month in the biennial schedule.

File updates promptly

Use the FMCSA registration system to update your MCS-150 with the latest data. You’ll need accurate figures on drivers, vehicles, and operations.

Set a reminder

Even if nothing changes, the FMCSA requires a biennial update. Assign a team member to manage this and avoid missed deadlines.

Keep your data aligned

Make sure what’s on file reflects your real operations. Accurate data ensures you’re benchmarked correctly in the CSA system and avoids misclassification that can hurt your scores.

How CameraMatics can help

CameraMatics makes compliance management easy by automatically recording the status of every vehicle and driver in your fleet, giving you real-time insights into your operations.

You’ll also get alerts for important deadlines like your MCS-150 filings and stay organized with full visibility over all your compliance documents. Plus, intuitive dashboards and reports help you make smarter decisions.

With everything streamlined in one place, your team can stay on top of compliance and keep those CSA scores under control.

Stay ahead of risk with accurate compliance

Your CSA scores play a critical role in shaping your fleet’s reputation, risk exposure, and bottom line. Outdated or inaccurate data—especially on your MCS-150—can unfairly inflate your scores, leading to higher insurance costs, lost business opportunities, and increased inspections.

The good news? Keeping your MCS-150 current is a simple but powerful step to protect your fleet and maintain a competitive edge.

Contact us today to discover how our tools and insights can help you stay ahead of risk and simplify fleet management.