FMCSA REGISTRATION
MCS-150 Biennial Update: Due Dates and How It Works
Your scheduled MCS-150 biennial update comes from two digits of your USDOT number: the last digit sets the month and the next-to-last digit sets odd or even filing years. FMCSA's Motus registration system is now live, but the filing obligation and the need to keep your record current still apply.
Last reviewed
August 19, 2026
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Calculate your scheduled MCS-150 date
What the MCS-150 is
The MCS-150 is the Motor Carrier Identification Report used to create and maintain information tied to a USDOT number. It includes items such as mileage, power-unit count, driver count, cargo classifications, and contact information.
FMCSA requires entities under its jurisdiction to update their registration information every two years. The scheduled biennial date is not the only time an update can be needed: changes to carrier information should also be reported in a timely manner.
How the biennial schedule is determined
Two digits of the USDOT number control the recurring schedule.
The next-to-last digit sets the filing year: odd digit = odd-numbered years; even digit = even-numbered years. Example: USDOT 3216547 ends in 7, so July. The next-to-last digit is 4, so the scheduled filing is in even-numbered years.
Motus replaced the old registration workflow
FMCSA began shutting down legacy registration functions on May 14, 2026, and Motus: USDOT Registration System launched for motor carriers and other registrants on May 19, 2026.
Registration options in the old FMCSA Portal are no longer available. Motus uses Login.gov, and FMCSA says electronic registration work in the new system removes the need for USDOT PINs.
FMCSA also says the transition to a fully online process is still subject to future rulemaking for paper forms. Current agency guidance says existing paper forms continue to be accepted, although online processing is the faster path.
What it costs
FMCSA does not charge a fee to update your carrier information. Third-party filing services may charge for preparing or submitting an update on your behalf.
If someone contacts you demanding payment simply because a biennial update is due, verify the situation directly with FMCSA before paying a private filing service.
What to keep in mind if you are late
The standard FMCSA rule allows USDOT inactivation and civil penalties for failure to complete a required biennial update. However, FMCSA currently has a temporary Motus-related suspension of certain biennial-update inactivations in effect.
That temporary enforcement change is exactly why a dated resource matters: do not assume an old article describes what FMCSA is doing today. Verify your record and current agency guidance.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Straight answers.
Do I file if nothing changed?
Yes. The biennial update is a recurring requirement even when the information on file has not changed.
My USDOT number ends in 5. Is it due every May?
No. The final digit gives you May, but the next-to-last digit determines whether the filing year is odd or even.
Does FMCSA charge to update the MCS-150?
FMCSA does not charge a fee to update your information. A private filing service can charge for its own service.
Do I still use the old FMCSA Portal for registration changes?
No. Registration options in the legacy Portal were disabled during the May 2026 transition. Motus is the current USDOT registration system.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
These pages are general information, not legal advice. Regulations, agency systems, fees, and enforcement practices can change. Use the official sources below to verify current requirements for your operation.
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General information only. We Heart Paperwork does not provide legal advice or guarantee regulatory compliance.