--- title: "MCS-150 Biennial Update: What It Is and Why Carriers Get Deactivated" description: "Learn about the FMCSA MCS-150 biennial update requirement, filing deadlines, and why a stale MCS-150 is a red flag when vetting carriers." date: 2026-03-22 category: Compliance author: "Cipher & Row" read_time: "7 min read" canonical: https://www.cipherandrow.com/blog/mcs-150-biennial-update-carriers schema: Article --- # MCS-150 Biennial Update: What It Is and Why Carriers Get Deactivated > The MCS-150 biennial update is a simple filing requirement that trips up thousands of carriers every year. Here is what it is, why it matters, and how to check a carrier's filing date. ## What Is the MCS-150 Form The MCS-150, formally titled "Motor Carrier Identification Report," is a registration form that every USDOT-registered motor carrier must file with the FMCSA. It collects basic information about the carrier's operations, including legal name, business address, type of operation, number of power units, number of drivers, and types of cargo transported. The form serves as the FMCSA's primary source of current information about each carrier's operations. Without up-to-date MCS-150 data, the FMCSA cannot effectively monitor carrier safety or compliance. > Cipher & Row offers a free FMCSA checker tool that lets you verify any carrier's MCS-150 filing date and operating status in seconds. No signup required. ## The Biennial Update Requirement Every carrier must update their MCS-150 information every two years (biennially). The filing deadline is based on the last two digits of the carrier's USDOT number: - USDOT numbers ending in 1: File by January 31 of odd-numbered years - USDOT numbers ending in 2: File by February 28 of odd-numbered years - USDOT numbers ending in 3: File by March 31 of odd-numbered years - And so on through December for numbers ending in odd digits (even-numbered years for even digits) In addition to the biennial update, carriers must file an updated MCS-150 within 30 days of any change to the information previously reported, such as a change of address, phone number, or type of operation. ## What Information Must Be Updated The MCS-150 update requires carriers to confirm or update the following information: - Legal name and doing-business-as (DBA) name - Principal business address and mailing address - Contact phone number - Type of operation (interstate, intrastate, or both) - Classification (for-hire, private, exempt) - Number of power units (trucks, tractors) - Number of drivers - Types of cargo transported - Hazardous materials indication ## What Happens When a Carrier Misses the Filing The consequences of failing to file a biennial update are straightforward and severe: - **USDOT number deactivation:** The FMCSA will deactivate the carrier's USDOT number. A deactivated USDOT means the carrier is no longer authorized to operate in interstate commerce. - **Operating authority affected:** When the USDOT is deactivated, any associated operating authority (MC number) becomes effectively invalid. The carrier cannot legally transport freight for hire. - **Roadside inspection consequences:** Carriers operating with a deactivated USDOT face out-of-service orders during roadside inspections and potential civil penalties. - **Reactivation required:** To restore their USDOT and authority, the carrier must file the overdue MCS-150 update and wait for FMCSA processing, which can take several days to weeks. ## Why a Stale MCS-150 Is a Red Flag for Brokers When [vetting a carrier](/blog/fmcsa-operating-authority-verify-carrier-mc-usdot), the MCS-150 filing date is one of the most informative data points available. Here is why: - **An MCS-150 more than 2 years old:** The carrier has missed at least one biennial update. This indicates either negligence or a deliberate attempt to avoid updating their information. - **An MCS-150 more than 4 years old:** This is a significant red flag. The carrier has missed multiple filing cycles, and their registration data is likely outdated and unreliable. - **Recently filed after a long gap:** A carrier that suddenly files an MCS-150 update after years of inactivity may be reactivating a dormant USDOT for questionable purposes. The MCS-150 date is visible on the carrier's SAFER Company Snapshot. Always check it as part of your standard carrier verification process. ## How to File the MCS-150 Update Carriers can file the MCS-150 biennial update through the FMCSA's online portal at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov. The process is free and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Carriers need their USDOT number and FMCSA-issued PIN to access their registration record. Filing can also be done by mail using the physical MCS-150 form, though online filing is faster and provides immediate confirmation. ## How Cipher & Row Monitors MCS-150 Compliance Cipher & Row's carrier verification platform automatically checks the MCS-150 filing date for every carrier in your network. If a carrier's MCS-150 is approaching or past due, the system flags it in your dashboard and sends an alert so you can assess the risk before booking a load.