The MCS-150 due date is not a calendar anniversary of your USDOT registration — it is a schedule the FMCSA derives from the last two digits of your USDOT number under the standard biennial update cycle. One digit sets the month; the other sets the year. Here is exactly how to calculate yours.
The Two-Digit Rule
The FMCSA spreads MCS-150 filings across the calendar using a simple rule:
- Last digit (“ones” digit) → determines the month your MCS-150 is due.
- Second-to-last digit (“tens” digit) → determines whether you file in even-numbered years or odd-numbered years.
Once you read those two digits, your MCS-150 cadence is locked for the lifetime of the USDOT.
Month Lookup by Last Digit
- 1January
- 2February
- 3March
- 4April
- 5May
- 6June
- 7July
- 8August
- 9September
- 0October
Even Years vs Odd Years
The second-to-last digit decides which half of the 24-month cycle you file in:
- Even second-to-last digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) → file in even-numbered years (2024, 2026, 2028, 2030).
- Odd second-to-last digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) → file in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031).
Worked Examples
USDOT 1234567→ last digit 7 (July), second-to-last digit 6 (even). Due every July, in even years: July 2024, July 2026, July 2028.
USDOT 9876543→ last digit 3 (March), second-to-last digit 4 (even). Due every March, in even years: March 2024, March 2026, March 2028.
USDOT 3456781→ last digit 1 (January), second-to-last digit 8 (even). Due every January, in even years: January 2024, January 2026, January 2028.
USDOT 2223339→ last digit 9 (September), second-to-last digit 3 (odd). Due every September, in odd years: September 2025, September 2027, September 2029.
Out-of-Cycle Filings
On top of the regular 24-month cycle, the FMCSA requires an MCS-150 update within 30 days of any material change to your operation, per FMCSA registration guidance:
- Change of principal place of business or mailing address.
- Change in operation type (intrastate ↔ interstate, for-hire ↔ private).
- Significant fleet change — typically 10%+ or more than a handful of units.
- Change in hazmat status.
- Change in legal entity name.
An out-of-cycle filing does notreset your regular biennial schedule — your next MCS-150 is still due on the calendar month keyed to your USDOT digits. Missing the regular biennial after an out-of-cycle update still results in USDOT deactivation.
How Early Can You File?
The FMCSA accepts MCS-150 filings in the 90 days before the due month. Filing early satisfies the upcoming deadline, but it does notreset the schedule — under 49 CFR §390.19T the cycle stays fixed by your USDOT digits, so your next due date remains the same digit-determined month and year. Most carriers aim for filing 30-60 days before the deadline to avoid last-minute sign-in issues with the FMCSA registration system.
Know Your Deadline, File On Time
Enter your USDOT and FastMCS150 calculates your exact due date automatically. $110 standard or $250 lifetime updates, filed the same business day.
File at Fast Trucking Compliance