File MCS-150,
Stay FMCSA Compliant

Update, Reactivate, or Deactivate your DOT Number

Filing the MCS-150 form is mandatory to get, update, or renew your USDOT Number. FMCSA requires every motor carrier to update their details every 2 years—or sooner if anything changes.

What is a Form MCS-150?

The MCS-150 form, also known as the Motor Carrier Identification Report, is a critical document for any trucking or transportation company operating in the United States. Required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this form plays a key role in helping your business stay compliant with federal regulations.

If you’re starting a new trucking business or updating an existing USDOT number, you’ll need to file the MCS-150. It gives the FMCSA a complete record of your operations—company details, fleet size, cargo types, miles driven, insurance, and safety classification, including whether you haul passengers or hazardous materials.

All motor carriers with a DOT Number must file a biennial MCS-150 update every two years. You’re also required to file an update whenever there’s a change in your business, such as a new company name, address, or if you add trucks to your fleet.

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Who needs to file the MCS-150 update?

If you’re operating commercial motor vehicles, the MCS-150 form isn’t optional—it’s a must. Here’s who needs to file:

Motor carriers involved in interstate or intrastate commerce using commercial vehicles.
Businesses that need to update their motor carrier details, whether it’s a change in operations, fleet size, or contact info.
Anyone who wants to keep their USDOT number active, even if nothing has changed, still needs to file a biennial update.

Why is the MCS-150 form
important for your
trucking business?

The MCS-150 form acts as the official registration document for trucking companies with the FMCSA. It allows FMCSA to keep an up-to-date record of all active commercial motor carriers and monitor their safety compliance and performance.

The FMCSA asks motor carriers to provide detailed information when filing or updating the MCS-150 form to help enforce safety regulations and ensure accurate records. Every time you file an update, you’re helping the FMCSA monitor your safety performance, determine your eligibility for operating authority, and maintain accurate records for Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores.

Running a trucking business? Stay compliant with the FMCSA

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When to update Form MCS-150?

Whether you’re a trucking company or a broker, keeping your MCS-150 information up to date is essential to maintain your USDOT number and stay in good standing with the FMCSA. While you’re required to file an MCS-150 biennial update at least once every 24 months, you’ll also need to file within 30 days if key details about your business change.

Some of the most common changes that require an updated MCS-150 include:

A change to your company name
Moving your business to a new address
Switching your operating authority type
Reactivating a USDOT number after inactivity or revocation
Reapplying after being revoked as a new entrant

Business is no longer in operation
Becoming a hazardous materials carrier
Adding or removing vehicles from your fleet
Updating the number of drivers employed or driver status
Any other significant change to your business operations

Made changes to your fleet or company details? Don’t let a small change cost you big!

File Your MCS-150 Biennial Update Now

When is your MCS-150 due?

You’re required to file your Biennial Update before you begin operations and then once every 24 months — or within 30 days if there’s a change in your company’s information. However, the exact due date isn’t the same for everyone—it’s unique to each carrier.

You can determine your MCS-150 due date by looking at the last two digits of your USDOT number:

The last digit of your USDOT number determines the month your update is due.
The second-to-last digit tells you which year to file—odd-numbered years for odd digits, and even-numbered years for even digits.

Your MCS-150 update must be submitted by the end of your assigned month to remain compliant.

Check your MCS-150 due date and file the MCS-150 update

Missing your MCS-150 filing deadline or submitting incorrect information can lead to serious consequences. Your USDOT number may be deactivated, resulting in an immediate halt to operations. The FMCSA can also issue fines of up to $1,000 per day until compliance is restored.

Don’t let missed deadlines or errors put your business at risk. File your MCS-150 accurately and on time
to stay fully compliant with FMCSA regulations.

File your Form MCS-150

What are the MCS-150 requirements?

When you complete or update the MCS-150, you’ll need to provide a detailed overview of your business operations. The FMCSA uses this information to enforce safety regulations and determine your eligibility for operating authority.

When completing your MCS-150, here’s some of the key information you’ll need to include:

Business Identification: Legal business name, USDOT number, MC number (if applicable), and business classification (carrier, shipper, broker, freight forwarder, etc.).
Contact Information: Physical and mailing addresses, along with a valid business phone number.
Operational Details: Type of operations (interstate or intrastate), whether you haul hazardous materials, and the types of cargo you transport.
Fleet and Workforce: Number of commercial vehicles, power units, and drivers employed.
Annual Data and Insurance: Total carrier mileage from the previous year and insurance coverage details, including liability and cargo insurance.

Have all your details ready? File your MCS-150 now and stay compliant.

How to file an MCS-150 update?

Filing MCS-150 is the first step toward obtaining your USDOT number and legally operating as a motor carrier. Whether you’re applying for the first time or updating existing information, there are multiple ways to file—each with its own timeline and process.

Online filing via
the FMCSA Website

You can file Form MCS-150 directly through the FMCSA’s official online portal or send it via fax. After submission, the FMCSA typically processes the application within 7 business days, and your USDOT number is issued shortly thereafter.

Mail-in Filing

If you prefer a traditional approach, you can print and complete a paper copy of Form MCS-150 and mail it to the FMCSA. Keep in mind, this method takes significantly longer—processing can take between 4 to 6 weeks. To avoid missing your due date, make sure to send the form well in advance.

E-filing with a trusted
provider like eMCS150.com

For the fastest and most hassle-free experience, consider using a trusted MCS-150 e-file provider – eMCS150. These services simplify the filing process and help ensure all information is accurate, minimizing the risk of errors that can cause delays or rejections.

Easily update your MCS-150 online with our step-by-step guide

File MCS-150 online with eMCS-150

Whether you’re renewing your authority, staying compliant, or just keeping records current, we make the MCS-150 update fast, easy, and hassle-free. From handling the paperwork to ensuring your permits and filings are accurate, we take care of the details—so you don’t have to. Let us manage your MCS-150 filing quickly and correctly, so you can stay focused on what matters most—keeping your trucks on the road and your business moving forward.

Fast and accurate filings

Avoid costly mistakes—our experts ensure your MCS-150 is error-free, fully compliant, and submitted on time.

Preview before you submit

Review your entire filing beforehand for complete peace of mind and accuracy.

24/7 Support

Have questions? Our friendly support team is available around the clock to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to file your MCS-150? Get it done in minutes—start your filing with eMCS-150 today!

File your MCS-150 Update Now

Need help with your filing? eMCS150.com offers Customer Support-Assisted Filing. Our experienced team will guide you through each step, making sure your submission is accurate and stress-free.

Let our experts take care of your MCS-150 update online for you!

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Frequently asked questions about Form MCS-150

Why is it important to file your MCS-150 on time?

According to the FMCSA, many carriers fall out of compliance simply by missing their biennial MCS-150 filing deadline. Forgetting—or choosing not to file your MCS-150 form is a big deal. The FMCSA doesn’t treat this as just routine paperwork—it’s essential for keeping your trucking authority active, your safety rating intact, and your business on the road.

If you miss your MCS-150 filing due date or submit incorrect information, here’s what you could be facing:

USDOT Number Deactivation – Without an active DOT number, you lose the legal authority to operate.
Costly Daily Fines – The FMCSA can impose penalties of up to $1,000 per day until your update is filed.
Operational Shutdown – No DOT number means you can’t legally run your trucks, which can halt your entire business.

Why is it important to provide accurate information on your MCS-150?

Filing your MCS-150 form isn’t just a formality—it directly affects your business’s safety reputation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses the details you provide to calculate your safety score under the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. All of that information gets tied to your USDOT number, and it’s used to assess how your company performs in key safety areas.

If the information you submit on your MCS-150 is outdated or inaccurate, it can impact your safety rating. And a poor CSA score doesn’t just hurt your reputation.

That’s why FMCSA recommends updating your MCS-150 anytime your business changes, not just every two years. Even something as simple as adjusting your vehicle count can create discrepancies between your MCS-150 and your Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), which could trigger unnecessary audits or safety reviews.

Why is the PRISM program important when filing the MCS-150?

The PRISM (Performance Registration Information Systems and Management) program is a key federal initiative that plays a big role in keeping highways safer. It works by monitoring motor carriers and evaluating their safety performance using the data submitted through forms like the MCS-150.

One of PRISM’s main goals is to identify carriers with a higher safety risk—ideally before they’re involved in serious or fatal crashes. This allows the FMCSA to step in early and take preventive action. It also helps the agency build a clearer picture of how safely each company operates.

When you update your MCS-150, it’s important to ensure all your safety-related information is current and accurate, as it directly affects your PRISM profile. A good PRISM score isn’t just about compliance—it can also impact your business relationships. Insurance providers, brokers, and shippers often review these scores when deciding who to work with.

How often does MCS 150 need to be updated?

All carriers with a USDOT number are required to update their MCS-150 form every two years, even if no business details have changed. This biennial update is mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to keep carrier information current. In addition to the scheduled update, you must also file a new MCS-150 whenever there are changes to key details—such as your company’s address, contact info, fleet size, or operational status.

How do I know if my MCS 150 is up to date?

You can check the status of your MCS-150 by looking up your USDOT number through official FMCSA or trusted third-party services like eMCS-150. This will show the date of your most recent update and help you determine whether your status is active or overdue. If your last filing falls within the two-year window, your record is considered current. However, if it’s been more than two years, your status may be inactive—and you’ll need to file an MCS-150 update immediately. Regularly monitoring your MCS-150 status helps you stay compliant, avoid penalties, and maintain uninterrupted operating authority.

Who is exempt from filing the form MCS-150?

Not all transportation businesses are required to file Form MCS-150. If your operations are strictly intrastate—meaning you don’t cross state lines or engage in interstate commerce—you’re generally exempt from this requirement.

Certain vehicles, such as some types of farm equipment or operations not covered by federal safety regulations, may also qualify for an exemption. However, it’s always wise to verify your status with the FMCSA or your state’s transportation authority to ensure you meet the criteria.

Stay ahead of deadlines and avoid costly mistakes.

Get started with your MCS-150

File MCS-150, Stay FMCSA Compliant