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 §390.19(c). The second-to-last digit sets the month (1 = January, 2 = February, … 0 = October), and the last digit sets the year — odd last digits file in odd-numbered years, even last digits in even-numbered years. For example, USDOT 1234567 files in June (digit 6) of every odd year because the last digit 7 is odd. The update is required every two years even if no information has changed (49 CFR §390.19(b)). Missing the deadline triggers USDOT deactivation and penalties up to $1,496/day under 49 CFR §386.83.
MCS-150 due-date schedule by USDOT digit
| 2nd-to-last digit | Month | If last digit is odd | If 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 §390.19(c)(1)–(2), FMCSA biennial update schedule.
Worked example: USDOT 3829461
Take USDOT 3829461. The second-to-last digit is 6, which maps to June. The last digit is 1, which is odd. So this carrier files MCS-150 by June 30 of every odd year — 2025, 2027, 2029, etc. Conversely, USDOT 3829460 also maps to June (digit 6) but the last digit 0 is even, so the deadline is June 30 in even years.
When you must file off-cycle
49 CFR §390.19(b)(2) 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(d), FMCSA deactivates USDOT numbers for failure to file the biennial update. Operating with an inactive USDOT triggers civil penalties of up to $1,496 per day with a $14,960 ceiling under 49 CFR §386.83. Brokers will not load your trucks if SAFER shows your USDOT as inactive.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know when my MCS-150 is due?
- Look at the last two digits of your USDOT. The second-to-last digit sets the month (1=Jan, 2=Feb, …, 0=Oct), the last digit sets the year (odd → odd years, even → even years). Filed every two years per 49 CFR §390.19(c).
- 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 §390.19(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(d), plus civil penalties up to $1,496/day with a $14,960 cap under 49 CFR §386.83.
- How early can I file my MCS-150?
- Up to 60 days before the due date without resetting your cycle. Filing far in advance can shift your next due date.
- 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 L&I record.