HaulMCS-150 update: biennial deadlines, schedule, and form
Every US motor carrier with a USDOT number must file an MCS-150 biennial update on a fixed schedule — even when nothing has changed. Enter your USDOT number below to find your exact deadline, then see how the FMCSA schedule works, how to file the MCS-150 form, and what happens if you miss it.
Find your MCS-150 due date
Enter a USDOT number to see its biennial update month.
How it works: the last digit sets the month (1–9 = January–September, 0 = October); the second-to-last digit sets the year (odd → odd years, even → even years).
What is the MCS-150 form?
The MCS-150 (Motor Carrier Identification Report) is the FMCSA form that creates and updates your USDOT registration. It records your operation type, fleet size, mileage, and contact details. FMCSA uses it to keep the public record current, which is exactly the data that appears on a carrier’s public safety profile.
When is your MCS-150 biennial update due?
FMCSA sets the schedule deterministically from your USDOT number — there is no random due date. Two digits decide it:
- The last digit sets the month (1–9 = January–September, 0 = October).
- The second-to-last digit sets the year: an odd digit means you update in odd-numbered years, an even digit means even-numbered years.
| Last digit of USDOT # | Update month |
|---|---|
| 1 | January |
| 2 | February |
| 3 | March |
| 4 | April |
| 5 | May |
| 6 | June |
| 7 | July |
| 8 | August |
| 9 | September |
| 0 | October |
Example: USDOT 1896 ends in 6 (June) and its second-to-last digit 9 is odd, so its biennial update is due in June of odd-numbered years.
How to file your MCS-150 update
File the MCS-150 update directly with FMCSA — it is free. You will need your USDOT number and PIN. Update it online through the FMCSA registration system. Avoid paid third-party services that charge for the same free government filing.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
Failing to complete the biennial update on time can cause FMCSA to deactivate your USDOT number. A deactivated registration can stop you from operating legally, trigger penalties, and raise red flags with brokers, shippers, and insurers who check your record. Filing on or before your scheduled month keeps your authority and public profile clean.
MCS-150 — frequently asked questions
How often do I have to file the MCS-150?
- Every 24 months. FMCSA assigns each carrier a recurring update month based on its USDOT number, and you must file the MCS-150 biennial update in that month even if none of your information has changed. You also file whenever your operation materially changes.
When is my MCS-150 biennial update due?
- The last digit of your USDOT number sets the month (1–9 = January–September, 0 = October), and the second-to-last digit sets the year (odd digit = odd-numbered years, even digit = even-numbered years). Enter your USDOT number in the calculator above to see your exact due month and year.
Is filing the MCS-150 free?
- Yes. You can file the MCS-150 update directly with FMCSA at no cost through the FMCSA registration system. Third-party filing services charge a fee for the same free government filing.
What happens if I miss my MCS-150 deadline?
- FMCSA can deactivate your USDOT number if you fail to complete the biennial update on time. Operating with a deactivated registration can lead to penalties and complications with brokers, shippers, and insurers, so it is best to file on or before your scheduled month.
Is the MCS-150 the same as the biennial update?
- The MCS-150 is the form; the biennial update is the every-two-years filing requirement that uses it. People search for both terms interchangeably, but updating your MCS-150 on your scheduled month is how you satisfy the biennial update requirement.