Why was my carrier deactivated?
Common causes: (1) a missed MCS-150 biennial update, which deactivates the USDOT number (49 CFR 390.19T(b)(4)) and is fixed by filing the update, (2) a lapsed BMC-91/91X insurance filing, (3) voluntary deactivation by you or a prior owner, or (4) FMCSA enforcement action following an audit or compliance review. FMCSA has temporarily suspended enforcement and USDOT inactivation for biennial updates due on or after June 1, 2026; the update is still required. FMCSA's Motus public search (by USDOT number or company name) shows the current status in FMCSA's records.
Start with FMCSA's Motus public search (by USDOT number or company name) to see the current USDOT and authority status in FMCSA's records. FMCSA's notices to the carrier state the reason for a deactivation or revocation.
If the reason isn't clear, FMCSA's registration line (800-832-5660) can look up the carrier-status history by USDOT number, including the deactivation date, reason, and any required corrective filings.
Some deactivations are inherited - a prior owner of the entity voluntarily deactivated, or a name-change/ownership-change event broke the FMCSA record continuity. These cases sometimes need a clarification filing with FMCSA before reinstatement can proceed.
For a missed MCS-150, the fix is filing the update. For a lapsed insurance filing, the insurer refiles and the authority is reinstated with the $80 fee (49 CFR §360.3T(f)(52)); your reinstatement is submitted to FMCSA promptly once the filing is on record, and FMCSA controls the timing.