MCS-150 Biennial Update: When It's Due and How to File
Every motor carrier with a USDOT number must file the MCS-150 biennial update every two years. Miss it and FMCSA deactivates your DOT number. This guide covers the exact filing schedule based on your DOT number, the free 5-step online process, what information to update, and how to fix a missed deadline before it costs you freight.
$0
Filing Fee
Every 2 Years
Filing Frequency
~15 Minutes
Online Filing Time
5 Steps
Filing Process
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Compliance Team
5+ years monitoring biennial update deadlines for dispatched carriers
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingMCS-150 Biennial Update: When It's Due & How to File (2026)
Key Takeaways
- The MCS-150 biennial update is free and must be filed every two years for every active USDOT number.
- The last digit of your USDOT number sets the filing month (1=January through 9=September, 0=October); the next-to-last digit sets the year (odd digit = odd years, even digit = even years).
- You must file even if nothing about your business has changed since the last update.
- Missing the deadline deactivates your USDOT number and any attached MC authority, so brokers will not book loads with you.
- If your number was deactivated, filing the overdue MCS-150 reactivates it, typically within a few business days.
- Verify your status and last filing date by looking up your company on FMCSA SAFER.
What Is the MCS-150 Biennial Update?
The MCS-150 biennial update is a mandatory filing that every motor carrier with a USDOT number must complete every two years. It updates your registration information with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and keeps your DOT number active. The MCS-150 form is the same form you filled out when you originally registered for your USDOT number — the biennial update is simply a required review and resubmission of that same information on a two-year cycle.
FMCSA uses the data from MCS-150 filings to maintain accurate records on every active motor carrier in the country. This information feeds into the SAFER system, which brokers, shippers, and law enforcement use to verify carrier status. If your MCS-150 data is outdated or the biennial update has not been filed, FMCSA considers your registration non-compliant.
Three things carriers need to understand about this filing: it is completely free, it is mandatory even if absolutely nothing about your business has changed since the last filing, and failing to file it will result in your DOT number being deactivated. There are no exceptions. Every carrier with a USDOT number — whether you operate one truck or a thousand — must complete this update on schedule.
It's Free — Ignore Paid Services
When Is Your Biennial Update Due?
Your MCS-150 biennial update due date is determined by the last two digits of your USDOT number. FMCSA staggers filing deadlines across the calendar year so it is not processing every carrier at once. Two separate digits control your schedule: the last digit sets the month you must file, and the next-to-last (second-to-last) digit sets the year.
Month rule (last digit): The final digit of your USDOT number maps directly to a month — 1 = January, 2 = February, 3 = March, 4 = April, 5 = May, 6 = June, 7 = July, 8 = August, 9 = September, and 0 = October. (Note there is no November or December in the cycle.)
Year rule (next-to-last digit): If the second-to-last digit of your USDOT number is odd, you file in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, 2029). If it is even, you file in even-numbered years (2026, 2028, 2030). Putting the two together gives you one specific month and year for every update. For example, USDOT 123456 has a last digit of 6 (June) and a next-to-last digit of 5 (odd), so the update is due by the end of June in each odd-numbered year.
| Last Digit of USDOT # | Filing Month | Next-to-Last Even (e.g. 2026) | Next-to-Last Odd (e.g. 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January | Jan 2026 | Jan 2027 |
| 2 | February | Feb 2026 | Feb 2027 |
| 3 | March | Mar 2026 | Mar 2027 |
| 4 | April | Apr 2026 | Apr 2027 |
| 5 | May | May 2026 | May 2027 |
| 6 | June | Jun 2026 | Jun 2027 |
| 7 | July | Jul 2026 | Jul 2027 |
| 8 | August | Aug 2026 | Aug 2027 |
| 9 | September | Sep 2026 | Sep 2027 |
| 0 | October | Oct 2026 | Oct 2027 |
Example: USDOT #3456789
Look only at the last two digits: 89. The last digit (9) sets the month → September. The next-to-last digit (8) is even → so this carrier files in even-numbered years. Result: the biennial update is due by the end of September in each even-numbered year (September 2026, September 2028, and so on). You never need ranges or math — just match the last digit to the month table above and check whether the next-to-last digit is odd or even. Confirm your exact due date by looking up your company on SAFER — the "MCS-150 Form Date" field shows your last filing directly.
How to File Your MCS-150: Step-by-Step
Filing the MCS-150 biennial update takes about 15 minutes online and costs nothing. Follow these five steps. Do not pay anyone to do this for you unless you have a specific reason — the process is straightforward and FMCSA built the portal to be self-service.
Go to the FMCSA Registration Portal
Open your browser and navigate to fmcsa.dot.gov/registration. This is the official FMCSA portal for all registration activities including new applications, biennial updates, and changes of information. Make sure you are on the real FMCSA site — look for the .gov domain. Do not use third-party sites that may charge fees for what FMCSA provides free.
Log In to Your Account
Log in using your existing FMCSA portal credentials. You should have received a USDOT PIN when you originally registered. If you have never created an online account, you can set one up using your USDOT number and PIN. If you lost your PIN, request a new one through the portal — it takes a few business days to arrive by mail. Keep your login credentials stored securely so you do not have to go through this again in two years.
Select "Biennial Update"
After logging in, you will see your dashboard with several options. Select the "Biennial Update" option. This pulls up the MCS-150 form pre-filled with whatever information FMCSA currently has on file for your carrier. If you also need to make other changes (like updating your MC authority information), you can do that separately, but the biennial update is the priority filing.
Review and Update Your Information
Go through every field on the MCS-150 form carefully. The form covers your legal business name, principal business address, mailing address, total number of power units, total number of drivers, type of operation (interstate, intrastate, or both), and types of cargo you haul. Update anything that has changed. If nothing has changed, confirm the existing information is still accurate. FMCSA requires the filing regardless — the update itself is what matters, not whether anything actually changed.
Submit and Save Your Confirmation
Click Submit. There is no fee. The update is processed immediately when filed online. Save or screenshot the confirmation page — this is your proof of filing. You will also receive a confirmation email if you have one on file with FMCSA. Your next biennial update will be due in exactly two years, in the same month. Set a calendar reminder now so you do not have to think about this again until it is time.
What Information Needs to Be Updated
The MCS-150 form captures the core operating data FMCSA uses to identify and regulate your carrier. Even if your business has not changed at all since your last filing, you are required to review and resubmit this information. Here is exactly what the form covers and why each field matters:
Legal Business Name
Must match your state business registration exactly. If you changed your entity name, DBA, or restructured your business, this must be updated. Name mismatches cause issues with insurance filings, broker setups, and factoring.
Principal & Mailing Address
Your physical business location and mailing address. If you moved, changed offices, or updated your address with the state, update it here. FMCSA sends compliance notices to the address on file — a wrong address means missed notices.
Number of Power Units
Total count of trucks, tractors, and other power units you operate. If you added or sold vehicles since your last update, adjust this number. This figure affects your UCR fees and how FMCSA categorizes your fleet size.
Number of Drivers
Total drivers employed or contracted. Include yourself if you drive. Changes in driver count are common for growing or downsizing carriers. This data feeds into FMCSA safety metrics and audit targeting.
Type of Operation
Interstate, intrastate, or both. If you started crossing state lines since your last filing, or stopped doing so, update accordingly. Operating interstate without the proper registration is a violation.
Types of Cargo Carried
General freight, refrigerated, hazmat, household goods, etc. If you changed equipment types or started hauling different cargo classifications, update these categories. Hauling hazmat without proper registration is a serious violation.
You Must File Even If Nothing Changed
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Missing the MCS-150 biennial update deadline triggers a chain of consequences that directly impacts your ability to operate and earn revenue. FMCSA does not send multiple warnings — they deactivate your number and expect you to take action.
Your USDOT Number Gets Deactivated
FMCSA will change your registration status to inactive. Your DOT number still exists, but it is no longer valid for operations. This shows up immediately on the SAFER system, which is the first place brokers, shippers, and law enforcement check.
MC Authority Gets Deactivated Too
If you hold MC authority, it is tied to your DOT number. When the DOT number is deactivated, any associated MC authority is also deactivated. This is a double hit — you lose both your identification number and your operating authority.
Brokers Will Not Book Loads With You
Every reputable freight broker checks carrier status before booking. An inactive DOT number means no loads from load boards, no direct broker bookings, and no revenue. Your phone stops ringing the moment your status changes on SAFER.
Penalties for Operating With a Deactivated DOT
Operating a commercial motor vehicle with a deactivated USDOT number is a federal violation. You face fines, your vehicle can be placed out of service during roadside inspections, and continued operation can escalate to revocation of your DOT number entirely — which is far harder to reverse than a simple deactivation.
This Is a Completely Preventable Problem
How to Fix a Missed Biennial Update
If you already missed the deadline and your DOT number has been deactivated, the fix is straightforward. FMCSA allows you to file the overdue MCS-150 and reactivate your number without applying for a new DOT. Here is exactly what to do:
File the Overdue MCS-150 Online
Go to fmcsa.dot.gov/registration and log in. File the biennial update using the same 5-step process described above. FMCSA still accepts the filing even though it is late. Update all information and submit. There is no late fee — the filing is still free.
Wait for FMCSA Processing
After submitting the overdue update, FMCSA typically processes reactivation within 1-3 business days. During this time your DOT number is still inactive. Do not haul freight until you have confirmed reactivation. Processing may take longer during peak periods or if there are other compliance issues on your record that FMCSA needs to review.
Verify Your Status on SAFER
Check the FMCSA SAFER system daily until your DOT number shows as active again. Look up your company by USDOT number and verify the operating status field. Once it shows active, you are cleared to operate. Notify your dispatch service, brokers, and factoring company that your status has been restored.
If your DOT number was deactivated for the biennial update and also has other compliance issues — such as a lapsed insurance filing or unpaid UCR — you will need to resolve all issues before FMCSA reactivates your number. For a full walkthrough of the deactivation and reactivation process, see our DOT number deactivation guide, which covers every scenario in detail.
Check for Stacked Compliance Issues
Never Miss Your Update: Prevention Tips
The best approach to the biennial update is to make it impossible to forget. You have one filing every two years — the challenge is not the filing itself but remembering to do it when the time comes. These strategies make sure you never miss the deadline:
Set Calendar Reminders 30 Days Early
Add a reminder to Google Calendar, Outlook, or whatever calendar you actually check. Set it for 30 days before your filing month — this gives you a full month to complete a 15-minute task. Set a second reminder for the first day of your filing month as backup.
Set a Phone Alarm
Put a recurring alarm on your phone with a clear label: 'File MCS-150 biennial update.' A calendar reminder is easy to dismiss — a phone alarm that goes off daily until you deal with it is harder to ignore. Set it to repeat until you mark it done.
Track It in a Compliance Spreadsheet
Maintain a simple spreadsheet with every compliance deadline: biennial update, UCR renewal, insurance renewal, drug testing, and IFTA filing dates. Review it monthly. One sheet, every deadline, no surprises.
Use a Compliance Service
If you run a fleet or just prefer someone else tracking deadlines, compliance monitoring services will track your MCS-150 date and alert you before the deadline. Worth the cost if you have multiple trucks with different filing schedules.
Let Your Dispatcher Help Track It
If you work with a dispatch service, ask them to track your biennial update date. Good dispatchers — like our team — already monitor compliance deadlines for the carriers they work with, because a deactivated carrier means lost revenue for everyone.
How We Track Biennial Updates
At O Trucking LLC, compliance monitoring is built into our dispatch service. We do not wait for problems to happen — we prevent them. Every carrier we dispatch has their MCS-150 biennial update date tracked and monitored as part of our standard operating process.
We Monitor MCS-150 Dates for Every Carrier
When a carrier joins our dispatch service, we record their biennial update due date immediately. We pull this directly from FMCSA SAFER records — no guessing, no relying on the carrier to remember. This date goes into our compliance tracking system alongside insurance expirations, UCR renewals, and every other deadline that could impact a carrier's ability to haul freight.
We Alert Carriers Before Deadlines
We send reminders well before the biennial update is due — not the day before, but weeks in advance. This gives carriers time to gather information, log into the FMCSA portal, and complete the filing without rushing. A carrier who misses a deadline while we are dispatching for them is a carrier we cannot book loads for. Prevention protects both of us.
We Explain the Consequences
Many carriers — especially newer owner-operators — do not fully understand what happens when a biennial update is missed. Part of our job is making sure every carrier we work with understands that a missed MCS-150 means a deactivated DOT, which means zero loads and zero revenue. When carriers understand the stakes, they prioritize the filing. It is a 15-minute task that protects their entire livelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my biennial update due?
Your MCS-150 biennial update due date is set by the last two digits of your USDOT number. The last digit determines the month (1 = January through 9 = September, and 0 = October), and the next-to-last digit determines the year (odd = odd years, even = even years). For example, a DOT number ending in 23 has a last digit of 3 (March) and a next-to-last digit of 2 (even), so the update is due in March of even-numbered years (2026, 2028, and so on). Check the full schedule table above for your month, or look up your company on SAFER where the MCS-150 filing date is displayed directly.
What happens if I miss the biennial update deadline?
FMCSA will deactivate your USDOT number and any MC authority associated with it. This means you cannot legally haul freight. Brokers verify carrier status through the SAFER system before booking loads — an inactive DOT number means no broker will work with you. You must file the overdue update and wait 1-3 business days for FMCSA to reactivate your number.
Can I file the MCS-150 biennial update online?
Yes. File for free through the FMCSA registration portal at fmcsa.dot.gov/registration. Online filing is processed immediately — your update is recorded as soon as you click Submit. Paper filing by mail is also technically accepted, but it takes several weeks for FMCSA to process and is not recommended. If your deadline is approaching, file online.
What information do I need to update on the MCS-150?
The MCS-150 covers your legal business name, principal business address, mailing address, total number of power units (vehicles), total number of drivers, type of operation (interstate or intrastate), and types of cargo carried. Review every field and update anything that has changed. You must file the biennial update even if nothing has changed — the filing itself is what keeps your DOT number active, not whether the information is different from last time.
Is there a fee for the MCS-150 biennial update?
No. The MCS-150 biennial update is completely free. There is no filing fee through the FMCSA portal. Be cautious of third-party services advertising biennial update filing for $100-$300 — they are simply filling out the same free form on your behalf. You can complete the entire process yourself in about 15 minutes. The only legitimate cost associated with a biennial update is if you need to get a new DOT number because yours was revoked, which is a different situation entirely.
Do I have to file if I just registered my DOT number?
Yes. The biennial cycle applies to every active USDOT number no matter how recently it was issued. If your scheduled month arrives shortly after you register, you still need to file on time. When in doubt, look up your number on SAFER and check the "MCS-150 Form Date" field — it shows your last filing and tells you when the next update is due. If you are still setting up, our new authority compliance checklist walks through every deadline a new carrier has to track.
How long does FMCSA take to process the update?
When you file online through the FMCSA portal, the update is generally recorded right away and your information refreshes on the system within a short time. If your USDOT number was already deactivated for a missed update, FMCSA typically reactivates it within a few business days after you submit the overdue filing. Do not haul freight until your status shows active again on SAFER. Other open compliance items — such as a lapsed insurance filing or unpaid UCR fees — can delay reactivation, so resolve those at the same time.
Never Miss a Compliance Deadline
Our team tracks biennial updates, insurance renewals, and every compliance deadline for the carriers we dispatch. Prevention costs nothing — a missed deadline costs you revenue.