The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is streamlining and modernizing its motor carrier registration process, enabling entities to submit required information, update records and comply with federal regulations more easily and in one place.
The long-awaited system, called Motus, aims to improve safety oversight and data accuracy for the trucking industry. It will eventually replace systems such as the Unified Registration System (URS) and the agency’s Licensing & Insurance platform, consolidating functions into a single interface.
The FMCSA strongly encourages all companies to immediately follow the steps below to ensure a smooth transition during implementation of this new required system.
“In line with the trucking industry’s biggest current needs from FMCSA to address company identity theft, broker fraud, and DOT shell number shell games by the industry’s bad actors, FMCSA’s new Motus registration system launches in less than a month,” said Alabama Trucking Association Senior Director for Safety Intelligence and Regulatory Affairs Clinton Seymour. “If you have not done so, be sure to take the time to meet the upcoming deadline for updating your FMCSA Portal profile to ensure a smooth transition into this new system. Failure to do so will result in delays accessing your account during the rollout, which could cause costly delays.”
ATA officials are asking carriers and other regulated entities to complete the steps below in the FMCSA Portal by May 14, 2026.
1. Ensure the FMCSA Portal account is active.
Log in to your FMCSA Portal account to confirm it is active or create an account. An active FMCSA Portal account is required for any existing regulated entity to claim their USDOT Number once Motus goes live.
2. Verify A Portal Company Official
Ensure that the listed Company Official is the company owner or an individual authorized to sign documents on behalf of the company. Only the Company Official can claim the USDOT Number. This action will automatically populate their new Motus account with existing records, streamlining set-up in the new system.
3. Update Company Information
For a smooth transition into Motus, ensure that the most up-to-date information is on file for their business. Carriers and other regulated entities can make updates to their company information in the FMCSA Portal the same way they complete a Biennial Update. Select “Biennial Update (MCS-150)” in the “Registration” tab.
Reference the job aid and other resources available here that outline these steps directly with regulated entities during your touchpoints.
