FMCSA Modernizes Registration with Motus
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is ushering in the most significant upgrade to its registration infrastructure in decades. Its new platform—Motus—will provide a user-friendly, streamlined approach to managing the registration life cycle of regulated entities.
If you are an FMCSA-regulated motor carrier, Motus is coming your way in 2026 and understanding it now can save serious headaches later.
What Is Motus?
“Motus” is the new USDOT registration platform that consolidates the current patchwork of outdated, disconnected systems into a single, more secure online portal. It will be used by motor carriers, as well as brokers, freight forwarders, and supporting companies to manage USDOT number applications, operating authorities, biennial updates, insurance filings, and more.
In simple terms: instead of navigating multiple systems, juggling different logins, and submitting redundant paperwork, you will manage all registration-related tasks from one centralized dashboard.
Why is the Motus Registration System Being Developed?
FMCSA’s existing registration infrastructure is built on technology that, in some cases, is decades old. Systems that don’t communicate with one another create a fragmented experience and can lead to data inaccuracies, filing errors, and opportunities for fraudulent registrations or identity misuse.
Motus aims to address these long‑standing issues head‑on, enabling FMCSA to fulfill its statutory mandate (49 USC 13908) to build a unified registration system. This modernization effort also incorporates key MAP‑21 requirements—such as stronger vetting, fraud‑resistant processes, and better data integration—while strengthening safety oversight across the commercial transportation industry.
What Is Changing Under Motus?
Motus promises to bring your registration experience into the 21st century. More specifically, the system will:
Simplify the registration process. All registration tasks—from initial USDOT registrations to biennial updates—will be handled in one place. No more hopping between portals and entering the same details multiple times.
Improve your user experience. Motus incorporates auto-population, real-time data validation, and smart logic that flag issues as you enter information. By catching errors early, these tools help prevent processing delays and avoidable form rejections.
Provide mobile-friendly options. Unlike the older systems, Motus works seamlessly on tablets and mobile devices, making it easier for you to view and update information on the go.
Strengthen security and prevent fraudulent registrations. Motus uses secure federal Login.gov authentication, along with additional identity‑verification and business‑address validation tools. Together, these safeguards help block fraudulent registrations and stop chameleon carriers—companies that try to evade enforcement by reregistering under new identities—ensuring that only legitimate businesses obtain federal registration and operating authority.
What Is Not Changing Under Motus (Initially)?
In response to industry feedback, FMCSA has confirmed that the first Motus release will not:
Eliminate MC, FF, or MX docket numbers
Implement safety registration
Change the BOC-3 form filing process
These items remain under consideration and may be proposed in future rulemaking.
What is the timeline for FMCSA’s Motus system?
Motus is being deployed in phases:
Phase 1: Supporting Companies (December 2025)
Supporting companies—such as transportation service providers, BOC‑3 filers, insurers, and surety companies—were given limited access to Motus to set up user profiles and company accounts. This ensures they can support you once the system opens to all users.Phase 2: All Users (2026)
FMCSA has not yet announced an exact date, but Motus is expected to open to all users, including new and existing motor carriers, in mid‑to‑late 2026. At that time, you will be able to:Create a Motus user profile
Enter your business information and complete business verification to create a company account
Use that company account to manage user access, maintain company information, apply for and manage registrations, and submit required filings
Phase 3: Post‑Launch Enhancements
Once Motus goes live, FMCSA will continue rolling out new features and collecting user feedback to guide system improvements.
How Can Motor Carriers Prepare for Motus?
Even though you won’t be able to access Motus until later this year, there are practical steps you can take now to ensure a smooth transition:
Confirm your FMCSA Portal account is active. Sign in to the FMCSA Portal to ensure you have an active account—or create one if necessary. You’ll need an active Portal account to set up your company profile and claim your existing USDOT Number when Motus onboarding begins.
Review and verify your FMCSA Portal account users. Open the Account Management tab and confirm that the listed Company Official is the company owner or employee who oversees your FMCSA registrations—not an outside consultant or transportation service provider. Also, make sure the Login.gov email associated with your Company Official is up to date. That same email must be used to access Motus and link your USDOT Number to your new account.
Update your company information. Complete a Biennial Update (MCS‑150) through the Portal’s Registration tab. Ensuring your company details are current will help prevent delays during Motus verification.
Check in with your service providers. Talk with your BOC-3 agents, insurance carriers, and other service providers. They are already setting up their profiles and will need to be ready to support you once filing functionality becomes available.
Stay informed about Motus. FMCSA provides fact sheets and FAQs through its Registration Modernization Resources Hub. You can subscribe to email updates or contact FMCSA at NewRegSys@dot.gov with questions.
Key Takeaways for Carriers
FMCSA’s Motus platform represents far more than a routine portal refresh—it’s a comprehensive modernization of how your federal registration data is accessed, validated, and managed. If you take steps now—confirming FMCSA Portal access, preparing for identity verification, and coordinating with your service providers—you’ll be well positioned for a smooth transition when Motus becomes available to you later this year.
