MCS-150 – BIENNIAL UPDATE

MCS 150 form is mandatory required by the FMCSA for obtaining or renewing your USDOT Number.
Every motor carrier is required to update their details with FMCSA every two years or if there is any changes.
Update, Reactivate or Deactivate your DOT Number.

MCS-150 – FMCSA – BIENNIAL UPDATE

MCS 150 form is mandatory required by the FMCSA for obtaining or renewing your USDOT number.
Every motor carrier is required to update their details with FMCSA every two years or if there is any changes.
Update, Reactivate or Deactivate your DOT Number.

Enter USDOT Number To Start

MCS150-Request

If you DO NOT have a USDOT Number, please CLICK HERE to get started.

If you DO NOT have a USDOT Number, please CLICK HERE to get started.

When should you file a MCS 150 Update?

The FMCSA mandates an MCS 150 update, also known as the Biennial Update, every two years at least for acquiring and keeping your USDOT number. You also need to file MCS-150 if you make any changes:

  • Biennial (every 2 years) Update
  • Changed your business address
  • Changed your company name
  • Changed your operating authority

  • Reapplication (after revocation of new entrant)

  • Reactivate USDOT
  • Become a hazardous materials carrier

  • Added to or reduced the number of vehicles or drivers in your fleet

  • Notify FMCSA that the company is no longer operating
  • Make any other changes to your business

Whenever you make changes to your trucking business and operations, you need to submit an MCS-150 update.

What is an MCS 150 update?

The MCS 150 is a mandatory form required by the FMCSA gov for updating or renewing your USDOT number. Every motor carrier is required to update their details with FMCSA every two years or if there is any changes. If you don’t finish your Biennial Update, your USDOT Number may be deleted. Plus, not following the rules during the update could lead to daily fines of up to $1,000, with a maximum of $10,000 overall.

FMCSA Update
FMCSA Update

When is my FMCSA Update due?

Your DOT renewal date is determined by the last two numbers of your USDOT number. The last digit tells you the month it is due and the digit before the last tells you the odd/even year. Every two years, a carrier must do an update in the FMCSA Portal, even if the company’s information hasn’t changed, stopped, or is no longer in business and you didn’t inform FMCSA.

USDOT Number Lookup, FMCSA Biennial Update

FMCSA Update – FMCSA Portal Login Update with Safer

FMCSA MCS 150, Safer FMCSA Biennial Update

MCS150 – FMCSA UPDATE – FAQ

You must file MCS-150 Form if you have made any changes / updates to your business or your 2 year is up. It does not hurt to file MCS-150 Update even if you are not sure you have to or if you do it earlier. You are allowed to file the MCS-150 6 months before your due month.

These messages may be confusing, especially for new carriers. The key thing to understand is that USDOT numbers are assigned randomly. For example, if you received your new USDOT number in May 2023, and the last two digits are “58,” your official biennial update is now due in August 2023 because it’s an odd-numbered year.

In simpler terms, the biennial update isn’t based on when you got your USDOT number but is required every two years, determined by the last two digits. The last digit indicates the month it’s due (8 for August), and the second-to-last digit indicates whether to file in an odd or even year (5 for an odd number, so you file in August of odd-numbered years).

No need to apply for a new USDOT number; it’s yours for life. Simply reactivate it by submitting a reapplication through the MCS-150 form. DOT Filer can help with this process, address your queries, and handle any required compliance services.

You can perform the official biennial update only during the specified month and year based on the last two digits of your USDOT number. On the other hand, an “edit” is an update made any time before the official biennial update is due. For example, filing your biennial update in January when it’s due in March of the same year is considered an “edit” and not the official biennial update. In this case, filing too early is not advisable.

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.