Civil Penalty

Also known as: FMCSA Penalty, Federal Fine

By Korey Sharp-Paar · Reviewed by the Fast Trucking Compliance team

Definition

A civil penalty is a monetary fine FMCSA can assess for noncompliance with the federal motor carrier regulations. For the MCS-150, a missed biennial update can lead to civil penalties and deactivation of the USDOT number (49 CFR 390.19T(b)(4)), and filing materially false information on the form can also be penalized. Civil penalties are separate from deactivation: a carrier can owe a penalty and still need to file the overdue update to restore its record. FMCSA has temporarily suspended enforcement and USDOT inactivation for biennial updates due on or after June 1, 2026; the update is still required.

Authoritative source

49 CFR §390.19T(b)(4)

Missed MCS-150: USDOT Deactivation Explained

A missed MCS-150 biennial update can lead to civil penalties and deactivation of your USDOT number. What it means and how to reactivate by filing the overdue update in Motus.

Related terms

USDOT Deactivation(Deactivation)
Biennial Update(MCS-150 Biennial Update)
49 CFR Part 390(Part 390)

← Back to glossary