The small carrier's compliance calendar
The fixed yearly dates are IFTA returns (Jan 31, Apr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31), Form 2290 (Aug 31) and UCR (Oct 1 to Dec 31). Your MCS-150 update month depends on your USDOT number, and national inspection weeks fall in May and August.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the linked sources or a qualified consultant before acting. How to use our guides
Month by month
January
- IFTA fourth-quarter return due Jan 31
- UCR enforcement begins for carriers that haven't paid
- Many carriers run yearly driving-record reviews and Clearinghouse queries
February
- Catch up on anything January missed
March
- CVSA usually announces International Roadcheck dates and focus areas
April
- IFTA first-quarter return due Apr 30
- Check trucks and files before Roadcheck
May
- International Roadcheck: 72 hours of inspections across North America (2026: May 12–14)
June
- Heavy vehicle use tax year ends Jun 30
- Challenge wrong Roadcheck inspection records through DataQs
July
- IFTA second-quarter return due Jul 31
- Operation Safe Driver Week (driver behavior)
- New heavy vehicle use tax year starts Jul 1
August
- Form 2290 (heavy vehicle use tax) due Aug 31
- Brake Safety Week (2026: Aug 23–29)
September
- A quiet month: good time for a mock audit
October
- UCR registration opens Oct 1 for next year
- IFTA third-quarter return due Oct 31
November
- UCR registration continues
December
- UCR due Dec 31
- Schedule next year's annual reviews and inspections
Dates that depend on you
- MCS-150 update: every two years, in a month set by your USDOT number. Find your month.
- Annual vehicle inspections: within 12 months of each truck's last one.
- Driver medical cards: up to two years, often less. Track each expiry date.
- Annual driving-record review and Clearinghouse query: within 12 months for every driver.
Check the dates each year
Inspection weeks are announced by CVSA each year, and filing systems change. FMCSA moved registration to a new system, Motus, in 2026. Confirm dates with the official sources below.
Sources
- Unified Carrier Registration plan
- IRS: About Form 2290
- IFTA, Inc.
- CVSA: International Roadcheck 2026
- CVSA: Brake Safety Week 2026
- eCFR: 49 CFR 390.19T, Identification reports and biennial updates
General information, not legal or compliance advice, and no substitute for the regulations or a qualified professional. Rules change and every carrier is different. Reading this page doesn't create a relationship with FleetCleared or any consultant, and using it is subject to our terms. Found an error? Email legal@fleetcleared.com. FleetCleared is an independent website and is not affiliated with FMCSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation.