The FMCSA Company Census is the public file behind most trucking lead lists, carrier lookup tools and market research about U.S. motor carriers. It's built from the registration information every carrier files on its MCS-150. Knowing what's in it, and what isn't, helps you judge any list built from it.
Where the data comes from
When a company registers for a USDOT number, it files an MCS-150 (or a related form for some operation types) describing itself. Carriers must update it at least every two years under the biennial update schedule, and whenever their information changes. FMCSA publishes the resulting registration data.
Because carriers report it themselves, the Census is only as current as each carrier's last filing.
What's in a Census record
| Category | Typical fields |
|---|---|
| Identity | USDOT number, legal name, DBA name |
| Location | Physical address and mailing address |
| Contacts | Business phone, cell phone and email, where reported |
| People | Company officers or representatives, where reported |
| Operation | Interstate or intrastate, hazmat or not |
| Classification | Authorized for hire, exempt for hire, private property, passenger and others |
| Fleet | Power units, trucks, buses, drivers and CDL drivers |
| Cargo | Codes such as general freight, refrigerated food, livestock or building materials |
| Dates | When the record was added and when the MCS-150 was last updated |
| Status | Whether the registration is active |
Operating authority dockets (MC and other numbers) appear alongside registration data, while authority history and insurance filings come from separate FMCSA records.
What the Census isn't
- It isn't verified contact data. Emails and phones are what the carrier reported. Some are outdated, shared or belong to whoever filed the paperwork.
- It isn't a list of trucking companies only. Any business that operates qualifying commercial vehicles needs a USDOT number, including contractors, landscapers, movers and tow operators. That's why our directory shows trucking and other trades separately.
- It isn't real time. It changes with each published release, and a carrier's own details only change when it files an update.
- It isn't a safety rating. Inspection, crash and audit data live in other FMCSA systems.
Using it as a lead source
The Census is strongest for targeting (location, fleet size, cargo, operation and time in business) and timing (new registrations and add dates). It's weakest for contact quality, so validate emails before large sends and expect some bounces.
Working with the raw files means large downloads, field codes and your own process for spotting new carriers. TruckerFetch validates each Census release, keeps every carrier searchable by the fields above, applies removal requests and publishes new carriers every morning.
Browse the numbers
See how many active carriers are in each state, city and cargo type, or how many registered last month, all from the same Census data.