Biennial Updates: When To File?
Biennial Updates are one of many pieces of paperwork operators must frequently manage. Luckily for you, US Compliance Services is here to help! The FMCSA collects and stores information about every commercial vehicle. This information is tied to your DOT Number. The FMCSA can levy fines if you fail to update or provide inaccurate information.
Failure to complete a Biennial Update will result in deactivation of your USDOT number and may result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/updating-your-registration
What Is a Biennial Update?
The FMCSA requires the information tied to your DOT number to be updated under a number of circumstances. If any company information changes, you must share the new info with the FMCSA. Examples include: company address, name, etc.
Additionally, the FMCSA requires an update every two years of your company’s information. The month that you must file by is based on the last number of your DOT number.
| Last Digit of DOT Number | Month To File By |
| 1 | January |
| 2 | February |
| 3 | March |
| 4 | April |
| 5 | May |
| 6 | June |
| 7 | July |
| 8 | August |
| 9 | September |
| 0 | October |
- If the second to last digit in your DOT number is odd, you must file your update every odd numbered year (2023, 2025, etc).
- If the second to last digit in your DOT number is even, you must file your update every even numbered year (2022, 2024, etc).
How Do You File?
In order to file your required biennial update, you fill out an MCS-150 Form and submit it to the FMCSA. This form is filled with information such as areas of operation, type of cargo transported, business contact info, vehicle type, hazardous wastes transported, etc. Once submitted, the FMCSA either accepts the form and updates the info on file, or sends it back for you to correct errors and try again.
How Can US Compliance Services Help?
US Compliance Services is ready to assist you in a successful and seamless biennial update. We do the work to submit your MCS-150 so you can do what you do best!
Learn about our services on our services page.
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Still have questions? Give us a call at 1-877-405-5003.