Educational Resource
How to Determine When Your MCS-150 Update Is Due
FMCSA assigns every motor carrier a specific biennial update window based on their USDOT number. Here is how to find yours and what to do if you are approaching your deadline.
DOT Compliance Specialists is an independent private third-party service provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the FMCSA, USDOT, or any government agency. Customers may complete eligible filings directly with the appropriate government agency at no charge. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
What Is the MCS-150 Biennial Update?
The MCS-150 is the Motor Carrier Identification Report. Every motor carrier registered with FMCSA is required to file an updated MCS-150 every two years. This requirement is called the biennial update. The purpose is to keep your USDOT record current — confirming that your business information, operational data, and safety certifications are accurate. Missing the biennial update deadline has a direct consequence: FMCSA will place your USDOT number in inactive status, meaning you are not authorized to operate as a motor carrier.
How FMCSA Assigns Biennial Update Deadlines
FMCSA uses a systematic schedule to spread biennial update filings across the calendar year. Your specific deadline is determined by the last two digits of your USDOT number. Each two-digit combination corresponds to a specific month. Every carrier with a USDOT number ending in the same two digits shares the same filing month. The cycle runs on even or odd years depending on when your USDOT number was originally issued. Always verify your deadline directly through official FMCSA sources.
How to Look Up Your Current MCS-150 Deadline
The most reliable way to confirm your current MCS-150 biennial update deadline is to look up your USDOT number in the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. When you search your USDOT number, your carrier record will display your MCS-150 filing history, including the date of your most recent MCS-150 filing. Your next biennial deadline falls in the same calendar month, two years later. Your SAFER record also shows your current USDOT status — Active, Inactive, or Out of Business.
What Counts as a Valid MCS-150 Filing?
Any MCS-150 submission that FMCSA accepts and processes counts toward your biennial update requirement. This includes a standard biennial update, an MCS-150 filed to update company information, or an MCS-150 filed as part of a USDOT reactivation. Importantly, any accepted MCS-150 filing resets your biennial clock. If you file an information update in October 2025, your next biennial deadline will be in October 2027 — regardless of what your previous deadline was.
What Happens If You Miss Your Biennial Update Deadline?
FMCSA will place your USDOT number in inactive status after the biennial update window closes without a filing. Once inactive, you cannot legally operate as a motor carrier. Roadside enforcement can identify an inactive USDOT number and place your vehicle out of service. Brokers and shippers may also flag an inactive status during carrier vetting. To restore an inactive USDOT number, you must file for reactivation.
How to Stay Ahead of Your Deadline
Set a calendar reminder for the month before your assigned filing window. Information you will need for the MCS-150 update includes your current legal business name, principal business address, contact information, number and type of vehicles operated, cargo types hauled, and safety certification. If you are unsure whether your current USDOT record is accurate, reviewing it in SAFER before filing is a good practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my MCS-150 biennial update deadline?
Look up your USDOT number in the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Your carrier record will show the date of your most recent MCS-150 filing. Your next biennial deadline falls in the same calendar month, two years later.
What happens if I miss my MCS-150 biennial update?
FMCSA will place your USDOT number in inactive status. Operating with an inactive USDOT number is a violation. You will need to file a reactivation before resuming operations.
Does filing an MCS-150 information update reset my biennial deadline?
Yes. Any accepted MCS-150 filing resets your biennial update clock. Your next deadline will be calculated from the date of your most recent filing.
Related Resources
Need professional filing assistance?
DOT Compliance Specialists handles the filing on your behalf — accurately and efficiently.
Official source: Filing requirements described in this article are based on publicly available FMCSA regulations and guidance. For the most current requirements, visit fmcsa.dot.gov .