When is my MCS-150 due?
Your MCS-150 biennial update is due the last day of a specific month determined by the last two digits of your USDOT number, per 49 CFR §390.19T(b). The last digit sets the month (1 = January, 2 = February, … 0 = October), and the next-to-last digit sets the year - odd next-to-last digits file in odd-numbered years, even next-to-last digits in even-numbered years. For example, USDOT 1234567 files by July 31 (last digit 7) of every even year because the next-to-last digit 6 is even. The update is required every two years even if no information has changed (49 CFR §390.19T(b)). Missing the deadline triggers USDOT deactivation under 49 CFR §390.19T(b)(4) and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000 (49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)).
MCS-150 due-date schedule by USDOT digit
| Last digit | Month | If 2nd-to-last digit is odd | If 2nd-to-last digit is even |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January | Last day of Jan (odd year) | Last day of Jan (even year) |
| 2 | February | Last day of Feb (odd year) | Last day of Feb (even year) |
| 3 | March | Mar 31 (odd year) | Mar 31 (even year) |
| 4 | April | Apr 30 (odd year) | Apr 30 (even year) |
| 5 | May | May 31 (odd year) | May 31 (even year) |
| 6 | June | Jun 30 (odd year) | Jun 30 (even year) |
| 7 | July | Jul 31 (odd year) | Jul 31 (even year) |
| 8 | August | Aug 31 (odd year) | Aug 31 (even year) |
| 9 | September | Sep 30 (odd year) | Sep 30 (even year) |
| 0 | October | Oct 31 (odd year) | Oct 31 (even year) |
Source: 49 CFR §390.19T(b)(2)–(3), FMCSA biennial update schedule.
Source: "MCS-150 due-date schedule by USDOT digit," fastmcs150filing.com (https://www.fastmcs150filing.com/when-is-my-mcs-150-due#mcs-150-due-date-schedule). Updated June 12, 2026.
Paste this snippet to embed the table with a link back to the source.
<iframe src="https://www.fastmcs150filing.com/when-is-my-mcs-150-due#mcs-150-due-date-schedule" width="100%" height="520" loading="lazy" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px" title="MCS-150 due-date schedule by USDOT digit - fastmcs150filing.com"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://www.fastmcs150filing.com/when-is-my-mcs-150-due#mcs-150-due-date-schedule">MCS-150 due-date schedule by USDOT digit — fastmcs150filing.com</a></p>Worked example: USDOT 3829461
Take USDOT 3829461. The last digit is 1, which maps to January. The next-to-last digit is 6, which is even. So this carrier files MCS-150 by January 31 of every even year - 2026, 2028, 2030, etc. Conversely, USDOT 3829460 keeps the even-year cadence (next-to-last digit 6) but the last digit 0 maps to October, so the deadline is October 31 in even years. Filing early does not reset the biennial schedule - the filing cycle is fixed by your USDOT number.
When you must file off-cycle
FMCSA registration guidance requires an MCS-150 update within 30 days of any change to: company name, address, telephone number, principal place of business, motor carrier operating authority, or USDOT registration data such as fleet size, hazmat status, or operation type.
Consequences of missing the deadline
Per 49 CFR §390.19T(b)(4), FMCSA deactivates USDOT numbers for failure to file the biennial update. Failure to file also carries civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000 (49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)). Brokers will not load your trucks if SAFER shows your USDOT as inactive.
Not sure whether FMCSA already flags your update as overdue? Run a free DOT / MC number status lookup - it reads the live FMCSA record, including the MCS-150 overdue flag and whether the USDOT is still active.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know when my MCS-150 is due?
- Look at the last two digits of your USDOT. The last digit sets the month (1=Jan, 2=Feb, …, 0=Oct), the next-to-last digit sets the year (odd → odd years, even → even years). Due the last day of that month, every two years per 49 CFR §390.19T(b).
- What is the MCS-150 filing fee?
- $0 to FMCSA. The biennial update is free at FMCSA.dot.gov. Service providers charge filing fees if you outsource the paperwork.
- Do I have to file MCS-150 even if nothing changed?
- Yes - 49 CFR §390.19T(b) makes the biennial filing mandatory regardless of whether information changed.
- What is the penalty for not filing MCS-150?
- USDOT deactivation under 49 CFR §390.19T(b)(4), plus civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000 (49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)).
- How early can I file my MCS-150?
- Any time. FMCSA counts an update filed within the 12 months before your biennial due date as satisfying that cycle. Filing early does not reset the biennial schedule - the cycle is fixed by your USDOT number.
- My USDOT was deactivated - can I still file?
- Yes. Filing the overdue MCS-150 reactivates the USDOT in most cases. Some carriers also need to resolve any insurance lapse or address mismatch flagged in the FMCSA registration record.