This guide and worksheet walks motor carriers through the MCS-150 biennial update: who has to file, how to work out your exact deadline from your USDOT number, what information to gather before you sit down to file, and what it costs you if the filing is missed. The worksheet pages give you fillable tables so the whole filing can be prepared in one pass.
The biennial update is one of the easiest FMCSA requirements to forget, because it comes around only every two years and arrives with no invoice and no inspection. It is also one of the most expensive to miss.
Who must file the biennial update?
Every entity holding a USDOT number must update its registration information at least once every two years under 49 CFR 390.19T. That includes for-hire carriers, private carriers, intermodal equipment providers, and companies whose details have not changed at all. Even a company that has stopped operating must file, because the filing is how FMCSA learns of the change in status. There is no FMCSA fee for the update itself.
How do I know when my MCS-150 is due?
Your deadline is coded into your USDOT number. The last digit sets the month: 1 means January, 2 means February, and so on through 9 for September, with 0 meaning October. The next-to-last digit sets the year: odd digits file in odd-numbered years, even digits (including zero) file in even-numbered years. File by the last day of your assigned month. The guide includes a worked example, and you can get an instant answer with our free MCS-150 biennial update checker.
What information should I gather first?
- Legal business name, DBA, principal place of business and mailing addresses
- EIN or SSN used on the registration, plus a current company officer
- Operation type, operation and cargo classifications, and any hazardous materials
- Total mileage for the most recent 12-month period
- Power unit counts (owned, term-leased, trip-leased), trailers and total drivers, including CDL drivers
The worksheet lays these out in fillable tables with a changed-since-last-filing column, so the person filing can see at a glance what needs to be amended rather than re-keying everything from memory.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
FMCSA can deactivate your USDOT number for failing to file, and civil penalties can accrue for continued noncompliance. A deactivated number ripples outward fast: brokers and shippers checking your record see an inactive carrier, insurers and factoring companies flag it at renewal, and permit transactions stall. Outdated mileage and fleet figures also distort your CSA exposure, because some safety measures are normalized against the power units and mileage you reported. Filing on time, with accurate numbers, is the cheap option.
How do I actually file?
File online through FMCSA’s registration system using your USDOT PIN or a verified Login.gov account tied to the company record. Paper filing by mail or fax is still accepted but slower. Whichever route you take, save the confirmation, check your public record after processing, and calendar the next due date. The guide closes with a proof checklist covering exactly that.
Related tools and professional support
Run your number through the free MCS-150 biennial update checker to confirm your month and year. New carriers should also work through the new entrant safety audit checklist, since registration data is one of the first things an auditor verifies. If you would rather hand the whole filing off, compare providers of MCS-150 and FMCSA filings.
Official references
Review 49 CFR 390.19T and FMCSA’s updating your registration guidance for current filing procedures.
Last reviewed September 22, 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file if nothing has changed?
Yes. The biennial update is required every two years even if all of your information is identical, and even if you have ceased interstate operations.
How is my filing month determined?
By the last digit of your USDOT number: 1 is January through 9 is September, and 0 is October. The next-to-last digit decides odd or even filing years.
Does the MCS-150 biennial update cost anything?
FMCSA does not charge for the update. Third-party filing services charge their own service fees, which is fine as long as the fee is disclosed as a service charge.
What if I miss my biennial update deadline?
FMCSA can deactivate your USDOT number and civil penalties can accrue. Reactivating means filing the overdue update and waiting for processing while your record shows inactive.
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This template covers the paperwork. Vetted DOT compliance providers can take over the whole job, from setup to ongoing recordkeeping, and quotes are free.