Who is exempt from filing a Biennial Update?

Brokers and freight forwarders are exempt from filing the biennial update every two years. However, if they have any changes, like a name or address change, they must file a MCSA 5889 form.

For private, exempt for-hire, and for-hire motor carriers of passengers or cargo, including Ag-exempt farmers, there are currently no exemptions from filing a biennial update. If you have a USDOT number, it must be kept up-to-date or filed as “Out of Business” if no longer in use. Even if you discover you don’t need a USDOT number, if it’s active in the FMCSA database, you must update or deactivate it.