FMCSA Biennial Update Requirements:
MCS-150 Filing Guide 2026
Quick Answer
The FMCSA biennial update (also called the MCS-150 update) is a mandatory filing required by 49 CFR 390.19 that every motor carrier with a USDOT number must complete every two years. The update requires carriers to confirm or correct their company information: legal name, address, contact information, fleet size, cargo type, and operating status.
Every carrier must file a biennial update (Form MCS-150) every two years to keep their USDOT number active. Miss the deadline and your authority gets deactivated — no warning, no grace period. Here's how to stay current.
No warning before deactivation. FMCSA deactivates USDOT numbers for missed biennial updates without prior notice. Shippers and brokers see "Not Authorized" on SAFER Web immediately. Operating with a deactivated USDOT number is a federal violation. Don't rely on FMCSA to remind you — set your own calendar alert.
How to Find Your Biennial Update Due Date
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and search for your carrier by USDOT number. Your company's profile shows the "MCS-150 Filed" date and "MCS-150 Due" date clearly.
FMCSA assigns biennial update months based on the last two digits of your USDOT number (01–12 = January–December). Your update is due in that month, every other year. If your last digit pair is 05, you file in May on alternating years.
At fmcsa.dot.gov, log into your carrier account to see your exact filing window. The portal shows your last filing date and when the next biennial update is due.
What the MCS-150 Biennial Update Covers
- Legal company name
- DBA (doing business as) name
- Principal address
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- EIN / Tax ID
- Contact person name and email
- Type of operation (interstate/intrastate)
- Number of power units (trucks)
- Number of drivers
- Number of trailers
- Cargo types (general freight, hazmat, etc.)
- Annual mileage estimate
- Whether hazardous materials are transported
How to File the Biennial Update Online (Step-by-Step)
Your PIN was mailed to your address of record when you registered. If lost, request a new PIN at fmcsa.dot.gov or call 1-800-832-5660.
Click "Update MCS-150" or access the carrier portal. Select "Update Biennial" from your carrier profile.
Go through each section: confirm company name, address, fleet size, and cargo types. Update anything that has changed since your last filing.
Submit the form electronically. Save or print the confirmation number. FMCSA updates your SAFER profile immediately for most fields.
Within 48 hours, check your SAFER profile to confirm the MCS-150 Filed date has been updated and your USDOT status shows "Active."
What to Do If Your USDOT Number Was Deactivated
This may be due to a missed biennial update, lapsed insurance filing, or BOC-3 issue. Here's how to fix a missed biennial update:
Set It and Forget It — FileFlo Tracks Your Biennial Update Date
FileFlo tracks your FMCSA biennial update deadline alongside UCR, Form 2290, insurance renewals, and all driver expiration dates. You'll get alerts at 60, 30, and 7 days before each deadline — not a SAFER Web deactivation notice.
FMCSA Biennial Update FAQs
What is the FMCSA biennial update and who must complete it?
The FMCSA biennial update (also called the MCS-150 update) is a mandatory filing required by 49 CFR 390.19 that every motor carrier with a USDOT number must complete every two years. The update requires carriers to confirm or correct their company information: legal name, address, contact information, fleet size, cargo type, and operating status. Carriers that fail to file the biennial update within the required window will have their USDOT number deactivated — meaning they cannot legally operate in interstate commerce until they file. There is no warning before deactivation.
How do I know when my FMCSA biennial update is due?
The biennial update due date is determined by your USDOT number. FMCSA assigns update months based on the last two digits of your USDOT number. You can check your specific due date by searching your carrier on FMCSA's SAFER Web (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) or by logging into your carrier portal on FMCSA's website. The update is due during the month assigned to you every other year. FMCSA does not always send reminder notices — it is the carrier's responsibility to know and file on time.
What happens if a carrier misses the FMCSA biennial update deadline?
If a carrier fails to file the biennial update within the required window, FMCSA will deactivate the USDOT number. A deactivated USDOT number means the carrier is listed as "Not Authorized" in SAFER Web and cannot legally operate interstate commercial vehicles. Shippers and brokers who check SAFER will see the deactivated status and will not dispatch loads. To reactivate, the carrier must file the overdue MCS-150 update. Reactivation typically occurs within 48–72 hours after filing. There is no formal fine for missing the biennial update, but operating with a deactivated USDOT number is a violation.
What information needs to be updated in the biennial filing?
The biennial update (Form MCS-150) requires carriers to confirm or update: legal company name, DBA name, principal address, mailing address, telephone number, EIN/tax ID, type of operation (interstate, intrastate), carrier status (active/inactive), fleet composition (number of power units, drivers, trailers), cargo types, whether hazmat is transported, and annual mileage. If nothing has changed, you can submit a "no change" update — you still must file even if everything is the same. Any actual changes to company information should be updated immediately (not just at biennial), as inaccurate SAFER information is a regulatory violation.
Can I file the biennial update online?
Yes. The biennial update (Form MCS-150) is filed online through the FMCSA portal at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. You'll need your USDOT number and PIN (the PIN is mailed to your address of record). If you've lost your PIN, you can request a new one online or call FMCSA. The online filing takes approximately 15 minutes and is free. Paper Form MCS-150 filings are accepted but take longer to process and are not recommended when there's a deadline risk. Third-party services charge $25–$75 to file on your behalf, but it's a simple DIY process.
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