Compliance

What to Know About the Biennial MCS-150: Are you giving yourself enough time to update?

By STS Editorial Team | October 23, 2025

Biennial MCS-150 Filing Guide - Motor Carrier Identification Report Requirements, USDOT Number Update, FMCSA Compliance, and MCS-150 Deadline Information
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Filing your Form MCS-150 is a necessary part of your business if you have an active US Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. But what is the MCS-150?

MCS-150 – AKA the Motor Carrier Identification Report

The MCS-150 is a mandatory form required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Not only is it used to calculate your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability score, it is necessary to maintain your USDOT number.

Once you obtain your USDOT number, you are expected to update your MCS-150 on a biennial basis, meaning every two years. You are also expected to update this form whenever business details change, such as changing the address of your business, or changing the number of trucks in your fleet.

How to Determine Your MCS-150 Deadline

The month and date are used to determine when you need to update and this can be calculated by using the last two digits of your USDOT number.

For the example below, we will use the USDOT Number 12345678, making the last two numbers 7 and 8.

  • The second to last number assigns the years you will file your update. An odd number means you are required to update every odd-numbered year. With the second to the last number being 7, you would be required to file in 2025, 2027, 2029, and so on.
  • The last number assigns the month you will file and follows the order of months in a year. The last number in the example is 8. The 8th month of the year is August, so you would be required to file by the last day of August.

With the USDOT Number 12345678, you would be required to file your update by August of 2025, 2027, 2029, etc.

Note: A last digit of 0 means October, and there are no MCS-150 deadlines in November or December.

Failure to Update your MCS-150

You don't want to miss your deadline. You may face financial penalties of up to $1,000 per day with a maximum penalty of $10,000. Depending on the business your carrier performs, you may even be subject to additional penalties. Deactivation of a USDOT number is also possible if you fail to comply in time.

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If you would like help filing your MCS-150 form, or any other trucking paperwork, you can get help here from the experts at Sky Transport Solution. You don't have to navigate this process alone.

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Biennial MCS-150 Filing Guide - Motor Carrier Identification Report Requirements

Complete MCS-150 Filing Information and Compliance Guide

Sky Transport Solutions provides comprehensive information about the biennial MCS-150 filing requirements, Motor Carrier Identification Report updates, USDOT number maintenance, and FMCSA compliance. Learn how to determine your MCS-150 deadline, avoid $10,000 penalties, prevent USDOT number deactivation, and maintain active compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.

What is MCS-150 Motor Carrier Identification Report

The MCS-150, also known as the Motor Carrier Identification Report, is a mandatory form required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This critical compliance document is used to calculate your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score and is essential for maintaining your USDOT number. All motor carriers with an active USDOT number must file the MCS-150 biennially and update it whenever business information changes.

MCS-150 Biennial Filing Requirements

Motor carriers must update their MCS-150 form on a biennial basis, meaning every two years. The filing deadline is determined by the last two digits of your USDOT number. The second-to-last digit determines whether you file in odd-numbered or even-numbered years, while the last digit determines the specific month. Understanding your MCS-150 deadline is crucial to avoid penalties and maintain compliance.

How to Calculate Your MCS-150 Deadline

To calculate your MCS-150 filing deadline, use the last two digits of your USDOT number. The second-to-last digit assigns the filing years (odd number = odd-numbered years, even number = even-numbered years). The last digit assigns the filing month (1=January, 2=February, 3=March, 4=April, 5=May, 6=June, 7=July, 8=August, 9=September, 0=October). Note that there are no MCS-150 deadlines in November or December. Sky Transport Solutions can help you determine your specific MCS-150 deadline and ensure timely filing.

MCS-150 Filing Deadlines and Due Dates

MCS-150 filing deadlines vary based on your USDOT number. Common deadlines include January 31st, February 28th/29th, March 31st, April 30th, May 31st, June 30th, July 31st, August 31st, September 30th, and October 31st. Your specific deadline depends on the last digit of your USDOT number. Missing your MCS-150 deadline can result in significant penalties and USDOT number deactivation.

MCS-150 Update Requirements for Business Changes

In addition to biennial filing, motor carriers must update their MCS-150 form whenever business details change. This includes changes to business address, business name, number of vehicles in fleet, vehicle types, operating status, business structure, contact information, and any other significant business information. These updates must be filed immediately, not waiting for the biennial deadline.

MCS-150 Penalties and Fines

Failure to file your MCS-150 on time can result in severe financial penalties. Motor carriers may face fines of up to $1,000 per day with a maximum penalty of $10,000. Depending on the type of business operations, additional penalties may apply. Most critically, failure to comply can result in USDOT number deactivation, which would prevent legal operation of commercial vehicles.

USDOT Number Deactivation Prevention

Maintaining an active USDOT number requires timely MCS-150 filing. Failure to file your MCS-150 by the deadline can result in USDOT number deactivation. Once deactivated, you cannot legally operate commercial vehicles until the USDOT number is reactivated, which requires filing the MCS-150 and may involve additional penalties. Sky Transport Solutions helps prevent deactivation through timely filing and deadline tracking.

MCS-150 Filing Service

Sky Transport Solutions provides expert MCS-150 filing services to help motor carriers maintain compliance. Our experienced team handles the entire MCS-150 filing process, ensures accurate information submission, tracks filing deadlines, provides deadline reminders, and helps prevent penalties and USDOT number deactivation. We make MCS-150 compliance simple and stress-free.

MCS-150 Deadline Tracking and Reminders

Sky Transport Solutions provides MCS-150 deadline tracking services to help motor carriers never miss a filing deadline. We calculate your specific MCS-150 deadline based on your USDOT number, provide advance reminders, track filing status, and ensure timely submission. Our deadline tracking service helps prevent penalties and maintains active USDOT number status.

MCS-150 Online Filing and Electronic Submission

The MCS-150 form can be filed online through the FMCSA website or with assistance from Sky Transport Solutions. Electronic filing is the fastest and most efficient method. Our team can help you complete the MCS-150 form accurately, submit it electronically, and provide confirmation of successful filing. We ensure all required information is included and submitted correctly.

MCS-150 Form Completion Assistance

Completing the MCS-150 form requires accurate business information including company name, business address, USDOT number, number of vehicles, vehicle types, operating status, and other critical details. Sky Transport Solutions provides expert assistance in completing the MCS-150 form, ensuring all information is accurate and complete to avoid delays or rejections.

FMCSA Compliance and MCS-150 Requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all motor carriers to maintain current MCS-150 information. This requirement is part of overall FMCSA compliance and affects your CSA score, safety rating, and ability to operate legally. Sky Transport Solutions helps motor carriers maintain full FMCSA compliance through proper MCS-150 filing and ongoing compliance management.

CSA Score and MCS-150 Impact

Your MCS-150 information is used to calculate your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score. Accurate and timely MCS-150 filing helps maintain a good CSA score, which affects your safety rating, insurance costs, and business opportunities. Sky Transport Solutions helps motor carriers maintain excellent CSA scores through proper MCS-150 compliance.

Motor Carrier Registration and MCS-150

MCS-150 filing is an essential part of motor carrier registration and ongoing registration maintenance. All registered motor carriers must keep their MCS-150 information current. Sky Transport Solutions provides comprehensive motor carrier registration services including initial registration, MCS-150 filing, biennial updates, and ongoing registration maintenance.

Owner-Operator MCS-150 Filing

Owner-operators with USDOT numbers must also file the MCS-150 biennially and update it when business information changes. Sky Transport Solutions provides specialized MCS-150 filing services for owner-operators, helping independent truckers maintain compliance, avoid penalties, and keep their USDOT numbers active. We understand the unique needs of owner-operators and provide tailored compliance support.

Fleet MCS-150 Compliance Management

Fleet operators must ensure all vehicles and operations are properly reflected in their MCS-150 filings. Sky Transport Solutions provides fleet-wide MCS-150 compliance management, tracking all filing deadlines, managing updates for fleet changes, and ensuring comprehensive compliance across all operations. We help fleet managers maintain active compliance for all vehicles and operations.

MCS-150 Filing for New Motor Carriers

New motor carriers must file their initial MCS-150 when obtaining their USDOT number. Sky Transport Solutions helps new motor carriers complete their initial MCS-150 filing correctly, understand their biennial filing requirements, and establish proper compliance practices from the start. We guide new carriers through the entire registration and filing process.

MCS-150 Address Change Updates

When a motor carrier changes business address, the MCS-150 must be updated immediately. Sky Transport Solutions helps motor carriers update their MCS-150 for address changes, ensuring FMCSA has current contact information and maintaining active compliance. We handle address change updates quickly and accurately.

MCS-150 Fleet Size Updates

Changes to fleet size, vehicle count, or vehicle types must be reflected in MCS-150 updates. Sky Transport Solutions helps motor carriers update their MCS-150 when fleet information changes, ensuring accurate reporting to FMCSA and maintaining compliance. We track fleet changes and ensure timely updates.

MCS-150 Business Name Change Updates

If a motor carrier changes business name, the MCS-150 must be updated to reflect the new name. Sky Transport Solutions assists with MCS-150 updates for business name changes, ensuring proper documentation and maintaining compliance with FMCSA requirements. We handle name change updates efficiently.

MCS-150 Operating Status Updates

Changes to operating status, such as going out of service, must be reported through MCS-150 updates. Sky Transport Solutions helps motor carriers update their MCS-150 for operating status changes, ensuring proper notification to FMCSA and maintaining accurate records. We handle status updates promptly.

MCS-150 Filing Cost and Service Pricing

Sky Transport Solutions provides competitive pricing for MCS-150 filing services. Our service costs are transparent with no hidden fees. We offer package pricing for ongoing MCS-150 compliance management and individual filing services for one-time needs. Contact us for current MCS-150 filing service pricing and package options.

MCS-150 Filing Support and Customer Service

Sky Transport Solutions provides comprehensive MCS-150 filing support and customer service. Our expert team is available to answer questions, provide guidance, assist with filing, track deadlines, and ensure successful compliance. We provide responsive support to help motor carriers maintain MCS-150 compliance successfully.

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