The FMCSA launched Motus on May 19, 2026. Five months later, the system is still a work in progress—and for many carriers, especially smaller operations, the transition has created real administrative challenges.

This article looks at where Motus stands as of October 2026, what FMCSA has communicated since the launch, and what carriers are finding useful during the transition.

For background on what Motus is and what it replaced, the GIA Group Motus explainer from June 2026 covers the full context.

What has changed in Motus since June

The situation has been moving quickly since the May launch. This table captures the key changes and what each one means for active carriers right now.

What is working for carriers right now

Carriers and compliance professionals working through Motus issues have found several approaches useful.

Motus display and actual filing status may differ. During a system transition, one part of the process can update while another lags behind—a missing update in Motus does not always mean a filing actually failed. Carriers and brokers vetting insurance status may find it worth cross-referencing with SAFER Web at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, which continues to reflect active insurance filings independently of Motus.

Many carriers are deferring non-essential updates while the system stabilizes. Industry compliance professionals have broadly recommended prioritizing only time-sensitive actions until Motus fully stabilizes.

TSP misclassification. Some carriers unable to claim their USDOT number or access their record have been inadvertently registered as a Transportation Service Provider. FMCSA has published steps to close the TSP account and re-register correctly.

FMCSA has also published a resource table to help carriers navigate support channels during the transition:

Source: Temporary Suspension of the Biennial Update Requirement, FMCSA

What this means for insurance filings

Financial-responsibility filings are managed through Motus. These include the BMC-91 for motor carrier liability insurance and the BMC-84 surety bond for freight brokers.

CCJ Digital and the Central Analysis Bureau documented several specific data inaccuracies in September 2026. Motus has increased the displayed minimum insurance filing requirement for more than 150,000 carriers—and of those, approximately 18% previously carried adequate coverage but no longer meet the new Motus-displayed threshold. Separately, some carriers are showing active authority with zero insurance on file, while others with valid, insured authority are showing as inactive even where their filings appear current. Active authority status and insurance adequacy are two separate checks—one does not confirm the other.

A filing that exists with the insurer but does not appear correctly in Motus does not necessarily mean the coverage has lapsed. In some cases, carriers affected by Motus insurance filing inaccuracies have reported their MC record appearing as a brand new operation with no insurance history—a situation that can affect both broker relationships and authority status while the filing is being resolved. 

Carriers with questions about their insurance filing status may find it most reliable to contact their insurer or insurance agency directly—during this transition, the Motus display alone may not always reflect current filing status.

Freight brokers vetting carriers may find that an insurance gap showing in Motus reflects a migration issue rather than an actual lapse. For now, SAFER Web at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov remains the steadier place to confirm a carrier’s actual filing status.

Switching insurance during the Motus transition—what to watch for

For carriers with a renewal or insurer switch coming up, filing timing matters more than usual right now.

When switching insurers, the new insurer submits the BMC-91X filing before the new policy starts. The old policy’s end date and the new policy’s start date need to match exactly. A gap between the two—even a single day—can show up as a lapse in the FMCSA system, even when actual coverage never stopped.

Motus is still taking longer than usual to reflect filing updates. Starting the process at least 30 days early helps avoid that gap showing up in the FMCSA record.

After a switch, safer.fmcsa.dot.gov shows whether the new filing is in the system correctly. If a registration or authority record looks wrong, that is resolved through FMCSA directly. Questions about an insurance filing itself can go to the insurer or agency that submitted it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the biennial update deadline still in effect? 

FMCSA has suspended enforcement of biennial updates and USDOT number inactivations for carriers affected by Motus issues. Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1, 2026 have been given additional time, and FMCSA has stated it will not inactivate USDOT Numbers for missed biennial updates during this period. Carriers can monitor FMCSA communications at motus.dot.gov for any changes to this policy.

What if a USDOT number cannot be claimed in Motus? 

This is one of the most commonly reported issues. The FMCSA Registration Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660 handles direct assistance. If the account is showing as a Transportation Service Provider rather than a motor carrier, FMCSA has issued specific guidance for resolving that misclassification.

Are paper MCS-150 forms still accepted? 

Paper forms remain a valid alternative during the transition. Processing delays have been reported—carriers with time-sensitive updates may want to confirm current timelines directly with FMCSA before submitting.

Is Motus the only legitimate website for FMCSA registration? 

motus.dot.gov is the only official Motus website. FMCSA has confirmed multiple fake websites circulating, and its fraud-alerts page lists the specific domains and is updated as new ones appear—credentials and personal information entered on any other site claiming to be Motus are at risk.

About GIA Group, LLC

GIA Group, LLC is an independent commercial transportation insurance agency working with motor carriers, freight brokers, and logistics operations across the United States. As an independent agency, GIA Group reviews regulatory developments like the Motus transition for the benefit of its clients.

Carriers looking for insurance coverage may contact GIA Group at 855-876-0717 or visit giasure.com.