MCS-150 biennial update for owner-operators
Every active USDOT files an MCS-150 biennial update once every 24 months under 49 CFR §390.19T. For a single- truck owner-operator, the filing is short - vehicle counts, mileage, contact info, classification. Your MCS-150 is prepared and submitted to FMCSA for you for $175. FMCSA controls when the update shows in its records.
What the MCS-150 does
The MCS-150 keeps the FMCSA carrier-information database current. Vehicle counts, mileage estimates, and contact info all roll into the carrier's USDOT record, which others look up when verifying carrier identity. A current MCS-150 means your record reflects current operations. A missed biennial update can lead to civil penalties and deactivation of the USDOT number (49 CFR 390.19T(b)(4)). Note: FMCSA has temporarily suspended enforcement of biennial updates and USDOT inactivation for updates due on or after June 1, 2026, until further notice.
For owner-operators, the biennial cadence catches changes that would otherwise go undocumented - a truck swap, a change in trailer count, a new contact email after the original was lost in a breakup or job change, an updated principal place of business after a move. See our how-to-file walkthrough and MCS-150 vs MCS-150B comparison if you also haul hazmat.
What's included
- Form MCS-150 prepared with current vehicle counts and mileage
- Submitted to FMCSA for you
- Status follow-up after submission
- Confirmation when carrier-status reflects updates
Owner-operator MCS-150 questions
When does my owner-operator MCS-150 come due?
Every 24 months. The exact month is keyed to your USDOT number - the last digit sets the month (1=January … 0=October), and the next-to-last digit sets odd/even-year cadence. So USDOT 12345 (last digit 5) is due by May 31, and the next-to-last digit 4 (even) puts the filing in every even-numbered year.
What info goes on the owner-operator MCS-150?
Vehicle counts (truck and trailer separately), annual mileage estimate, principal place of business address, named officer or owner, USDOT contact info (email and phone for FMCSA notifications), classification of operation (private, for-hire, exempt for-hire, contract, etc.), cargo classifications, and driver counts (CDL and non-CDL). For a single-truck owner-operator, most fields are 1 or fixed values.
Can I file MCS-150 myself or do I need a service?
You can file yourself for free in FMCSA's Motus system at motus.dot.gov, signing in with Login.gov. The trade-off is follow-up - FMCSA controls when the update shows in its records, so you check back yourself in FMCSA's Motus public search by USDOT number or company name. Carriers who want the form prepared and submitted for them, status follow-up, and FMCSA correspondence forwarding use a service. The substantive filing is identical either way.
Other MCS-150 contexts
You might also need
- UCR annual registration - FastUCRFiling
- Form 2290 HVUT - Form 2290 (FastTruckingCompliance)