What happens if I file my MCS-150 late?

FMCSA can flag your record as outdated and deactivate your USDOT number, which makes operating illegal. Filing the overdue update — free, ~15 minutes through Motus — is the fix.

How do I file the MCS-150 now that FMCSA changed systems?

As of May 14, 2026, you file it through FMCSA's new Motus system, signing in with an identity-verified Login.gov account. The old portal and USDOT-PIN sign-in are retired.

Is there a fee to update my MCS-150?

No. The biennial update is free. Any service charging you to file it is charging for something you can do yourself in about 15 minutes.

Missed your MCS-150 and your USDOT was deactivated?

Missing the MCS-150 biennial update can deactivate your USDOT number — but filing it is free and fixes it. Here's how.

File now

A deactivated USDOT means you can't legally operate. Filing the overdue update is free and takes about 15 minutes — do it before your next dispatch.

What the MCS-150 is (and why it matters)

The MCS-150 is your biennial update — FMCSA requires every carrier to refresh it every 24 months, keyed to your USDOT number, and within 30 days of any major change.

Miss it and FMCSA can flag your record as outdated and ultimately deactivate your USDOT number. During the mid-2026 transition to the new Motus system, some automated deactivations were paused — but don't count on the pause. File on schedule.

The system changed in 2026

FMCSA retired its old portal and USDOT-PIN sign-in on May 14, 2026. The MCS-150 is now filed through the new Motus system, and you sign in with an identity-verified Login.gov account.

If you haven't filed since the switch, the process looks different from what you remember — but it's still free and you still do it yourself.

How to file it (free, ~15 minutes)

1
Create or sign in to a Login.gov account (identity-verified).
2
Go to FMCSA's Motus system and open your carrier record.
3
Complete the MCS-150 biennial update with your current operation details (mileage, vehicles, etc.).
4
Submit, then confirm your USDOT shows active again on your public record.

The MCS-150 is free to file, always. You never need to pay a third-party service to submit your biennial update.

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Common questions

What happens if I file my MCS-150 late?: FMCSA can flag your record as outdated and deactivate your USDOT number, which makes operating illegal. Filing the overdue update — free, ~15 minutes through Motus — is the fix.
How do I file the MCS-150 now that FMCSA changed systems?: As of May 14, 2026, you file it through FMCSA's new Motus system, signing in with an identity-verified Login.gov account. The old portal and USDOT-PIN sign-in are retired.
Is there a fee to update my MCS-150?: No. The biennial update is free. Any service charging you to file it is charging for something you can do yourself in about 15 minutes.

Fact-checked June 2026 · always reconfirm at fmcsa.dot.gov — fees, screens, and timelines change.