MCS-150 Biennial Update Guide: Deadlines and Information to Review

What the MCS-150 updates

The MCS-150 series updates an existing USDOT company record. It can address company contact information, operation type, cargo classifications, vehicle and driver counts, mileage, and other registration details. It is not the application used by a first-time applicant to obtain a new USDOT number.

How the biennial schedule works

The last digit of the USDOT number identifies the filing month: 1 for January through 9 for September, and 0 for October. The next-to-last digit controls the filing year: odd digits file in odd-numbered years and even digits file in even-numbered years. The update is generally due by the final day of the assigned month.

FMCSA requires the update every 24 months even when the company’s information has not changed. An eligible update made within the preceding 12 months may satisfy the biennial requirement under current FMCSA guidance.

Information to verify

• Legal business name, DBA, physical address, mailing address, telephone, and email.
• USDOT, MC, or other authority numbers associated with the record.
• Operation classification, carrier operation, cargo classifications, and hazardous-material status.
• Power units, drivers, interstate mileage, and mileage year.
• Authorized company official and certification information.

Routine changes should not always wait

A biennial date is not a reason to leave an inaccurate record untouched. FMCSA advises regulated entities to update legal business, address, and other company information in a timely manner when it changes. Some transactions require supporting documents or a different process, so review the current agency instructions before submitting.

Government filing versus assistance fees

FMCSA states that a company can complete its own biennial update for free. A private compliance provider may charge for reviewing information, preparing the request, organizing supporting documents, and assisting with follow-up. Those service fees are not FMCSA government fees.