U.S. DOT
BIENNIAL UPDATE

The U.S. DOT Biennial Update is a federally mandated requirement for all entities operating under a U.S. DOT Number. This number, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is used to track and evaluate your company’s safety performance and vehicle activity at the federal level.

Do I Need a U.S. DOT Number?
A DOT number is required if your vehicle meets any of the following:

• Weighs 10,000 pounds or more (GVWR)
• Transports 8 or more passengers for compensation
• Transports 15 or more passengers not for compensation
• Hauls hazardous materials as defined in 49 CFR 385.403

Additionally, if you operate interstate (cross state lines or move goods across state boundaries), you are federally required to obtain a DOT number.

Even if you only operate within one state (intrastate), some states still require a U.S. DOT number. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

State Regulations vs. Federal Regulations

Understanding the difference between state and federal regulations is crucial for motor carriers. Some states may require you to obtain a state DOT number, an operating authority, or a Commerce Commission number. These are state-specific requirements that must be followed in addition to federal rules.

Even if you operate only within a single state (intrastate), you may still be subject to federal regulations—especially if you’ve been issued a U.S. DOT number. The DOT number is a federal identifier, and as such, any carrier operating under one must comply with federal rules like the Biennial Update, regardless of state-only operations.

When Must the Biennial Update Be Filed?

Your filing deadline is based on your company’s U.S. DOT number. Specifically:

• The last digit of your DOT number determines the month your update is due (1 = January, 2 = February … 0 = October).
• The second-to-last digit determines the filing year: odd numbers = odd years, even numbers = even years.

Example:
A DOT number like 384983 ends in 3 (March) and has 8 before it (even), so the update must be filed in March of even-numbered years.

Note: There are no filings scheduled for November or December.