How do I file my MCS-150 biennial update?
Every carrier must update its MCS-150 (Motor Carrier Identification Report) at least once every 24 months — it's free, takes about 15 minutes online through FMCSA's registration system, and skipping it gets your USDOT number deactivated.
The MCS-150 biennial update is the filing FMCSA uses to keep your carrier record current — fleet size, mileage, cargo types, contact info. You must file at least every 24 months even if nothing changed, and the deadline is tied to your USDOT number: the last digit sets your filing month (1 means January, 2 February, and so on, with 0 meaning October), and the next-to-last digit sets the year — odd digit, odd years; even digit, even years. Filing is free and done online through FMCSA's registration system (FMCSA retired its legacy URS system in May 2026 and moved registration to the new Motus platform at motus.dot.gov). Beware of third-party services that charge $100 or more to file it for you — they're filing the same free form. Missing the update is expensive: FMCSA deactivates your USDOT number, which trips automated carrier-vetting systems brokers use, and civil penalties can stack up. A surprising side effect of a stale MCS-150: the fleet size and power-unit counts brokers and insurance underwriters see for your company come from this filing, so a carrier that grew from 3 trucks to 12 but never updated still looks like a 3-truck operation everywhere its record is displayed — including lookup sites, broker TMS systems, and insurance quotes.
- What happens if I miss my biennial update?FMCSA deactivates your USDOT number. Brokers' automated vetting tools flag deactivated DOTs immediately, so loads stop until you re-file and the record reactivates. Civil penalties can also apply. Re-filing the MCS-150 reactivates the number, but expect a lag before every downstream vetting system refreshes.
- Do I need to file if my information hasn't changed?Yes. The biennial update is mandatory even with zero changes — it's how FMCSA confirms you're still operating. The filing is free and takes about 15 minutes online.
- How do I know what fleet size FMCSA has on file for me?Look up your own DOT number — the power units and drivers shown come straight from your last MCS-150 filing. If the numbers look stale, that's what every broker sees too, and it's your cue to update.