FMCSA’s New Motus Registration System Is Live: What Motor Carriers Need to Do Now

The FMCSA has officially launched its long-awaited registration modernization platform: Motus: USDOT Registration System. For trucking companies, brokers, freight forwarders, and supporting service providers, this marks one of the biggest changes to federal motor carrier registration in decades.

If you’re a motor carrier, the most important thing to understand is this: Existing carriers must now claim their USDOT Number in Motus and verify their company information to maintain control of their FMCSA registration records.

At CNS, we’re already helping carriers navigate the transition and avoid common mistakes that could delay filings, create compliance issues, or lock companies out of their accounts.

What Is FMCSA Motus?

For years, FMCSA’s registration systems were criticized for being outdated, difficult to navigate, and vulnerable to fraud.

Motus is FMCSA’s new online registration system that modernizes how carriers manage federal registration activity. Instead of bouncing between multiple outdated systems like URS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), SAFER, and the FMCSA Portal, carriers now have one centralized dashboard.

According to FMCSA, Motus is intended to:

• Improve fraud prevention
• Modernize identity verification
• Streamline registration workflows
• Improve data accuracy
• Reduce unauthorized account access
• Simplify registration management for carriers

The system uses identity verification technology, Login.gov integration, government-issued IDs, and facial verification tools to reduce fraud and unauthorized changes to carrier records.

What Existing Motor Carriers Need to Do Right Now

If your company already has a USDOT Number, here’s the process FMCSA expects you to complete in Motus.

Step 1: Identify Your FMCSA Company Official

The very first step is determining who should claim the company account.

FMCSA says the initial claim must be completed by the company official using the same Login.gov email previously associated with the FMCSA Portal account.

This person should typically be:

• The business owner
• An authorized corporate officer
• A partner
• Someone legally authorized to act on behalf of the company

If the wrong person attempts to claim the account, it can create delays and access problems.

Step 2: Prepare for Identity Verification

Before logging in, FMCSA recommends having:

• A Login.gov account
• A smartphone or camera-enabled device
• A valid government-issued ID
• Access to the correct Login.gov email address

Acceptable IDs include:

• Driver’s license
• Passport
• State-issued ID card
• Resident card

FMCSA’s identity verification process includes photo capture and facial verification technology.

Step 3: Log Into Motus

Go to: motus.dot.gov

Sign in using Login.gov credentials associated with the company official.

After signing in, users must accept FMCSA’s Rules of Behavior before proceeding.

Step 4: Complete Identity Verification

Motus requires users to verify identity before gaining access to registration functions.

This process may include:

• Uploading ID documents
• Facial scan verification
• Mobile device authentication
• Two-factor authentication

FMCSA says this step is intended to reduce unauthorized registration activity and identity fraud.

Step 5: Create Your Motus User Profile

After verification, users must complete their personal Motus user profile.

This includes:

• Contact information
• Address
• Phone number
• Authentication setup

FMCSA notes that user profiles are tied to individuals, not companies. This allows companies to manage permissions and authorized users more securely.

Step 6: Claim Your Existing USDOT Number

Once the profile is complete, carriers can begin linking their existing company records.

Inside Motus:

1. Select “Link USDOT Number”
2. Review associated USDOT records
3. Choose the correct company
4. Continue verification

FMCSA says existing company data will import into the new system automatically after the claim process.

Step 7: Review and Update Company Information

This is one of the most important steps.

Once the account is linked, carriers should carefully review:

• Legal business name
• DBA names
• Principal address
• Mailing address
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Operating authority status
• Insurance information
• Process agent information
• Company operation classifications

FMCSA requires carriers to maintain accurate registration information and update changes promptly.

Step 8: Certify the Account

After reviewing company details, the company official must certify the information.

This certification confirms:

• The information is accurate
• The user is authorized to act for the company
• The company understands FMCSA compliance obligations

Once certified, the company account becomes fully active in Motus.

What New Carriers Need to Do

If you’re starting a trucking company and do not yet have a USDOT Number, you’ll now begin the process entirely inside Motus.

New registrants should:

1. Create a Login.gov account
2. Complete identity verification
3. Create a Motus user profile
4. Create a company account
5. Apply for:
   • USDOT Number
   • MC Authority
   • Additional registrations as needed

FMCSA also recommends using the USDOT Wizard first if you’re unsure which registrations you need.

What Carriers Can Do Inside Motus

Once your account is established, Motus becomes your central registration hub.

Carriers can use Motus to:

• Apply for USDOT Numbers
• Apply for operating authority
• Submit biennial updates
• Update business information
• Reinstate authority
• Reactivate USDOT Numbers
• Track registration activity
• Manage registration lifecycle actions

This eliminates much of the confusion caused by FMCSA’s older disconnected systems.

What Motus Does NOT Change Yet

While Motus modernizes registration workflows, several major FMCSA processes remain unchanged for now.

FMCSA has confirmed that Motus does NOT currently:

• Eliminate MC numbers
• Replace the MCS-150
• Change BOC-3 filing rules
• Implement the proposed Safety Registration system

Those changes would require additional rulemaking and public comment periods.

Common Mistakes Carriers Should Avoid

As carriers begin transitioning into Motus, several common problems are already emerging.

Using the Wrong Login.gov Email

The system expects the same email previously tied to the FMCSA Portal company official account.

Using a different email can prevent successful account claims.

Letting Unauthorized Employees Claim the Account

Only properly authorized company officials should complete the initial claim process.

Ignoring Outdated Registration Information

Many carriers discover outdated:

• Addresses
• Contact information
• Authority records
• Insurance details
• DBA information

Failure to correct inaccurate information could create compliance issues later.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

As more carriers begin onboarding, support wait times and system demand could increase.

Early setup reduces stress and minimizes disruption.

How CNS Helps Carriers Navigate FMCSA Registration Changes

At CNS, we help trucking companies simplify complicated FMCSA registration and compliance requirements every day.

Our DOT Licensing Specialists can assist with:

• USDOT Number registration
• MC Authority setup
• Biennial updates
• BOC-3 filings
• UCR registration
• IRP and apportioned plates
• FMCSA account management
• Registration corrections
• Authority reinstatement
• Compliance support

As FMCSA continues transitioning into Motus, having experienced compliance professionals on your side can help prevent costly registration mistakes and delays.