MCS-150 Biennial Update: Deadlines, Who Must File, and What Happens If You Miss It
Every motor carrier with a USDOT number must file Form MCS-150 every 24 months, in a month set by the last digit of your USDOT number and a year set by whether the next-to-last digit is odd or even (49 CFR 390.19). Miss it and FMCSA deactivates your number; the civil penalty for failing to file runs up to $1,000 per day, capped at $10,000.
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Who has to file the MCS-150?
Any entity with a USDOT number — for-hire and private carriers, brokers in some cases, and intermodal equipment providers — must file a biennial update, even if nothing about the company has changed since the last filing.
How do I know my filing month and year?
Look at the last two digits of your USDOT number:
- Last digit → month. A USDOT number ending in 1 files in January, ending in 2 files in February, and so on through 0, which files in October.
- Next-to-last digit → year. If that digit is odd, you file in odd-numbered years. If it’s even, you file in even-numbered years.
Example: a USDOT number ending in “47” files every odd year, in July (last digit 7). A number ending in “82” files every even year, in February (last digit 2).
What if something changes between updates?
You must update your MCS-150 within 30 days of any change to the information on file — a new address, a change in fleet size, adding or dropping operations — regardless of when your next biennial update is due. This is a separate requirement from the every-24-months schedule.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
FMCSA mails a warning letter to the address on file at least 30 days before your deadline. If you still don’t file, FMCSA deactivates your USDOT number, which can stop you from legally operating and from renewing other filings tied to it. Separately, failing to file carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day the update is late, capped at $10,000 per violation.
Is there a fee to file?
No. FMCSA charges no government fee for the MCS-150 update itself. If you pay anyone to file it for you, that fee is for the service, not the filing.
What information do I need before I file?
- Your USDOT number and company legal name
- Current mailing and physical address
- Number of power units and drivers
- Type of cargo and operation classification
- Mileage, if your operation classification requires it
Can I check my exact due date?
Yes — our free USDOT lookup reads your number and shows your filing month and year. You can also see your record directly through FMCSA’s own carrier search tools.
We file your MCS-150 for you and remind you before the next one is due — see MCS-150 Update.