FMCSA Motus: What New Carriers Need to Know Right Now
On May 14, 2026, FMCSA permanently retired its legacy registration systems -- the Unified Registration System, the Licensing and Insurance portal, and the FMCSA Portal's registration functions -- and replaced them with a single platform called Motus. If you are a new carrier trying to get your authority, or an existing carrier trying to manage your registration, this is the system you now have to use. There is no going back to the old portals.
The rollout has been widely described as one of the most troubled software launches the trucking industry has seen. Carriers trying to use the system to stay compliant have been unable to reliably get it to work. This post covers what Motus is, what is going wrong, and exactly what to do if you are stuck.
What Is Motus?
Motus is FMCSA's unified registration platform, designed to replace a fragmented collection of legacy systems with a single dashboard for USDOT number applications, operating authority management, biennial updates, and name and address changes.
The goal was to consolidate everything into one secure platform and reduce fraud. Ultimately the system will consolidate everything from USDOT numbers and biennial updates to hazmat registrations into a single, secure platform designed to combat fraud while streamlining compliance for legitimate operators.
For new carriers registering in 2026, Motus is the only available registration path. The legacy portals are being phased out and new applications are routed through Motus exclusively.
What Has Gone Wrong
The launch did not go smoothly. Due to a critical bug discovered on the go-live date, thousands of carriers were physically unable to link their DOT numbers to their new Motus profiles. Without this link, carriers are essentially locked out of their own data. They cannot update their information, reinstate a suspended authority, or complete the mandatory biennial update.
Many carriers have logged in only to find that their operating authority is not displaying correctly or is missing entirely. This can lead to problems during roadside inspections or when trying to book loads with brokers who rely on real-time FMCSA data.
The identity verification process has created additional problems. Under Motus, only the designated Company Official using the same Login.gov email tied to the original FMCSA Portal account can claim the company's Motus account for the first time. In many small trucking companies, the person who originally set up the Portal account is not the person handling compliance today.
FMCSA sent 2.2 million letters to all motor carrier addresses when they announced the launch. Over 400,000 of those letters came back as undeliverable.
The Four Most Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Identity verification failure
Because increased security was a primary driver for Motus, users must verify their identities through Login.gov and IDEMIA before accessing the system. If your identity verification is failing, make sure you are using the same Login.gov account you used to access the old FMCSA Portal. If you never had one, you need to create a Login.gov account before you can access Motus at all.
Cannot link your USDOT number
The system asks you to claim your number but it does not always recognize the account as yours, often because the email you are logging in with does not match the one FMCSA has on file for your company. This step is crucial because you will not be able to make any registration changes until you claim your USDOT number. If this happens, do not create a new registration to work around it -- a new registration will not fix a claiming problem and tends to create a bigger one. Contact FMCSA directly so they can connect your account to the correct record.
Wrong email on file
To claim your account in Motus, you must log in with the Login.gov email associated with the Company Official on file with FMCSA. If those two emails do not match, the system will not recognize the account as yours and you will not be able to move forward. If the Company Official has changed or you have used different email addresses over the years, confirm who originally set up the account before attempting to claim it.
Authority showing as inactive
If your authority shows inactive despite insurance and BOC-3 being filed, verify through SAFER that both the BMC-91 and BOC-3 are showing as active. Processing delays between filing and system updates can take a few business days. If the problem persists beyond that, contact FMCSA support.
Who to Contact If You Are Stuck
Carriers can contact the FMCSA Registration Contact Center at 800-832-5560. Additional assistance can also be found at FMCSA's webpage for ID Verification Enrollment Centers.
If your application has not progressed after 6 weeks, contact the FMCSA Registration Division. Have your USDOT number and application reference number ready.
What This Means for New Carriers Specifically
If you are a brand new carrier trying to get your operating authority right now, the Motus problems are hitting you at the worst possible time. If you are a new entrant trying to get your DOT or MC authority, the Motus failure has likely stalled your application process. Every day you wait for a system fix is a day your truck sits idle, costing you money in insurance, truck payments, and lost revenue.
The important thing to know is that while Motus handles your USDOT registration and operating authority application, your BOC-3 filing, UCR registration, and compliance documentation are separate requirements that can and should be handled in parallel. Getting your compliance program built while you wait for Motus to process your authority means you are ready to operate the moment your authority goes active -- not scrambling for another two weeks after it does.
Need Help Navigating This?
If your Motus registration is stalled, or you are a new carrier trying to figure out what needs to happen and in what order, that is exactly what we help with. We handle your BOC-3 filing, UCR registration, and full compliance program while you work through the Motus process -- so nothing is sitting idle waiting on a government system to catch up.
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