FMCSA MCS-150 Biennial Update: What It Is and How to File

By CarrierLens Compliance Team • Last updated: 2026-05-01

The MCS-150 Motor Carrier Identification Report is the FMCSA filing that creates and updates your USDOT number record. Unlike most compliance deadlines, the biennial update requirement applies even if nothing about your operation has changed — failure to file deactivates your USDOT number and, by extension, your operating authority. This guide explains when to file, how to find your deadline, what information is required, and the consequences of missing it.

What Is the MCS-150?

The MCS-150 is the form motor carriers use to register their USDOT number and keep the associated record current. It captures information about the carrier's business structure, size of operation, type of freight, states of operation, and safety program. FMCSA uses MCS-150 data to categorize carriers, assign safety review priority, and calculate the denominators used in CSA BASIC score percentile rankings.

Who Must File an MCS-150 Update?

Every entity with a USDOT number must file an MCS-150 update every two years under 49 CFR §390.19, including:

• Motor carriers of property (for-hire and private)
• Motor carriers of passengers
• Freight brokers with a USDOT number
• Hazardous materials shippers required to register with FMCSA
• Owner-operators with their own USDOT number

The update is required even if no information has changed.

When Is Your MCS-150 Update Due?

The biennial update must be filed in the calendar month your USDOT number was originally issued, on alternating even or odd years. To find your specific deadline:

• Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
• Enter your USDOT number
• Look for the "MCS-150 Date" field — this shows your most recent filing and your next due date

Example: If your USDOT number was issued in March 2023, your biennial update is due in March 2025, then March 2027, and so on. If you file early or late in a given year, your next due date shifts accordingly.

What Happens If You Miss the MCS-150 Update?

Missing the biennial update deactivates your USDOT number. Consequences include:

• Your USDOT number status shows as "Inactive" in FMCSA's SAFER database
• Operating under an inactive USDOT number is a federal violation
• Freight brokers and shippers may refuse loads from carriers with inactive USDOT numbers
• If you hold operating authority (MC number), it may be revoked
• Reactivation requires filing the overdue MCS-150 — FMCSA reactivates the number after the update is received

How to File the MCS-150 Update Online

1. Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and click "File MCS-150"
2. Log in with your USDOT number and PIN (or request a new PIN if you don't have one)
3. Update any information that has changed, or confirm existing information is still accurate
4. Submit the form
5. Save the confirmation — your FMCSA record updates within 24 hours

Information Required on the MCS-150

• Legal company name and DBA (if applicable)
• Principal place of business address
• Mailing address (if different)
• Type of operation (interstate or intrastate, for-hire or private)
• Number of drivers and vehicles
• Cargo carried (commodity types)
• States of operation
• USDOT PIN holder information

How MCS-150 Data Affects Your CSA Scores

The number of drivers and vehicles you report on your MCS-150 directly affects your CSA BASIC percentile rankings. FMCSA uses your reported fleet size to determine how many inspections and violations are "expected" for a carrier of your size. Underreporting your fleet size may artificially inflate your percentiles; overreporting may reduce them. Accurate reporting is both legally required and important for valid SMS comparisons.