Biennial MCS-150 update: USDOT month, year and filing

Who must file and how often

Under §390.19T(a)(1), a U.S.-, Canada-, Mexico-, or non-North America-domiciled motor carrier conducting operations in interstate commerce must file a Motor Carrier Identification Report, Form MCS-150, with FMCSA.

Under §390.19T(a)(2), a motor carrier conducting operations in intrastate commerce and requiring a Safety Permit under 49 CFR part 385, subpart E, must file the Combined Motor Carrier Identification Report and HM Permit Application, Form MCS-150B.

Under §390.19T(a)(3), each intermodal equipment provider that offers intermodal equipment for transportation in interstate commerce must file an Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report, Form MCS-150C.

Under §390.19T(b)(1)–(2), each motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider files the appropriate form before it begins operations and every 24 months according to the schedule below. The conditional PRISM exemption in paragraph (i) is described below.

Filing month: the last digit of the USDOT number

The last digit sets the filing month. Section 390.19T(b)(2) requires filing by the last day of that month:

Filing year: the next-to-last digit

Under §390.19T(b)(3), an odd next-to-last digit means the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider files its update in every odd-numbered calendar year. An even next-to-last digit means it files in every even-numbered calendar year. The odd digits are 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9; the even digits are 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Worked example

For a hypothetical USDOT number 1234567, the last digit is 7, so the filing month is July. The next-to-last digit is 6, which is even, so updates fall in even-numbered years. Under this schedule, the carrier files by July 31 in years such as 2026 and 2028.

Where the form and instructions are available

Section 390.19T(c) says Forms MCS-150, MCS-150B and MCS-150C and complete instructions are available from the FMCSA website at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov (keywords MCS-150, MCS-150B or MCS-150C), from all FMCSA Service Centers and Division offices nationwide, or by calling 1-800-832-5660.

Where and how to file

Section 390.19T(d) requires filing the appropriate form under paragraph (a) with the FMCSA Office of Registration and Safety Information. The form may be filed electronically according to the instructions at the agency's website, or sent to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Office of Registration and Safety Information (MC-RS), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

The consequences named in the rule

Section 390.19T(b)(4) states: "A person that fails to complete biennial updates to the information pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section is subject to the penalties prescribed in 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B) or 49 U.S.C. 14901(a), as appropriate, and deactivation of its USDOT Number."

Section 390.19T(g) states: "A motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider that fails to file the form required under paragraph (a) of this section, or furnishes misleading information or makes false statements upon the form, is subject to the penalties prescribed in 49 U.S.C. 521(b)(2)(B)."

The conditional PRISM exemption

Section 390.19T(i) states: "A motor carrier that registers its vehicles in a State that participates in the Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program (authorized under section 4004 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century [Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107]) is exempt from the requirements of this section, provided it files all the required information with the appropriate State office."

This guide explains the cited text. It does not assess a particular carrier's obligations or provide legal advice.