For any carrier, broker, or freight forwarder holding a USDOT number or operating authority, there is a new registration system now in effect. The FMCSA launched Motus on May 14, 2026—a new online platform that replaces the registration tools the industry has used for years.

This article explains what Motus is, what it does, and what carriers and fleet owners are being asked to address to maintain their operating authority during the transition.

What is FMCSA Motus?

Motus is the FMCSA's new online registration system. It replaces the older FMCSA Portal and the Unified Registration System (URS)—the platforms that motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders have used to manage their USDOT numbers, operating authority, and biennial updates.

The name comes from the Latin word for movement—fitting for a system meant to modernize how the trucking industry interacts with federal registration.

The system was designed with a fresh interface that includes real-time data validation, smart logic to simplify applications, and integrated payment processing. It is also mobile-friendly, which the old portal was not.

The bigger change is on the accountability side. FMCSA has partnered with identity verification providers IDEMIA and CLEAR to verify the legitimacy of new applicants—a direct response to the freight fraud and carrier identity theft that has been a documented problem in transportation. Going forward, getting a new USDOT number or operating authority will require identity verification, not just a completed form.

What Motus is used for

Motus is the system for registration-related actions. That includes:

• Applying for a new USDOT number or operating authority (MC number)

• Completing biennial updates (the MCS-150)

• Requesting name or address changes

• Managing operating authority status

• Insurance filing management

The platform is designed to create a single, centralized dashboard where regulated entities can manage these registration actions online.

What Motus does not do: Out-of-service orders and roadside inspection history are tracked separately. Carrier-level out-of-service orders still show on SAFER Web (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov). Vehicle and driver-level violations from roadside inspections appear in the SMS (Safety Measurement System) at ai.fmcsa.dot.gov. Motus manages authority status—active, suspended, revoked—and insurance filing records. It does not replace SAFER or SMS for safety monitoring purposes.

How the rollout has gone—and what issues came up

The Motus rollout launched May 14, 2026, following a limited Phase 1 that began in December 2025 for insurance providers, BOC-3 filers, and other supporting companies. The broader rollout encountered technical issues in its initial weeks, with FMCSA actively working to address them.

As of early June 2026, FMCSA has confirmed that its most immediate focus is on "addressing issues affecting insurance filings and operating authority status"—the two areas most consequential for active carriers and the brokers working with them. Some corrections have already been implemented, but the agency notes that further improvements are ongoing.

The practical issues carriers encountered: login failures, accounts showing as disabled, and data that did not carry over correctly from the old portal. Portal accounts inactive for more than 90 days were automatically disabled, and accounts archived after 12 months required manual unlocking through the FMCSA Contact Center.

What this means for operating authority

This is the part that matters most for active carriers and fleet owners.

Operating authority—the MC number that allows a carrier to haul freight for hire—is now managed through Motus. If a carrier's account information is outdated, if the biennial update was missed, or if the identity verification step was not completed, the authority status in Motus may not reflect the carrier's actual situation.

Existing registrations may not automatically transfer in all cases—motor carriers can verify their status directly in Motus or through the FMCSA Contact Center. Carriers are expected to re-register in Motus before their current authority expires. Delays in completing the migration may create complications for operating authority status.

For freight brokers vetting carriers: authority status shown in Motus—active, suspended, or revoked—reflects the registration record as of the last update. FMCSA has specifically identified insurance filings and operating authority status as the areas where migration issues have been most concentrated. Authority status in the registration system reflects the record as of the last update—a reason to cross-reference with SAFER Web and SMS data when vetting an unfamiliar carrier.

A practical note on vetting during the transition

If SAFER shows active authority but something in the carrier's profile looks off—recent contact changes, insurance certificate that doesn't match, phone number that can't be verified—pulling the carrier's SMS BASICs score at ai.fmcsa.dot.gov provides a more complete picture. A carrier with declining safety scores may still show active authority in the registration system, making SMS BASICs the more reliable signal when something in the profile raises a question.

Steps FMCSA Has Outlined for the Transition

The steps the FMCSA outlined for carriers during the transition:

1. Confirming FMCSA Portal account status. FMCSA has asked carriers to log into portal.fmcsa.dot.gov and verify the account is active. Accounts disabled after 90 days of inactivity need to be unlocked through the FMCSA Contact Center before Motus access is possible.

2. Obtaining the USDOT PIN. The PIN is needed to access registration information and link existing records to a new Motus account. Motor carriers should confirm the current retrieval path at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov or through the FMCSA Contact Center, as system URLs may change during the transition.

3. Reviewing company information for accuracy. Address, contact information, and insurance filings should reflect the carrier's current details before migrating to Motus. Outdated contact information in the system is one of the known vectors for carrier identity fraud—and is also what caused data mismatch issues during the launch.

4. Completing any overdue biennial updates. Paper forms like the MCS-150 are still being accepted during the transition, but processing delays have been reported—digital submission through Motus is the faster path. Carriers should confirm current processing times directly with FMCSA.

5. New applicants use Motus only. As of the Motus launch, new applicants are directed to apply through Motus—carriers should confirm current application pathways directly with FMCSA if questions arise.

New operating authority applications—what the June 3 register shows

The FMCSA Register published June 3, 2026 shows new broker and carrier operating authority applications filed in late May and early June. These are preliminary grants of authority, published for public notice so any interested party has 10 days to file an opposition.

The June 3 Register includes new broker authority applications from operations in Texas, California, Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Colorado, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Alabama, among others. New motor carrier applications span nearly every state, with a notable concentration of small operations—single-officer LLCs, owner-operators, and regional haulers—consistent with the ongoing pattern of new entrants to the industry.

Under 49 CFR Part 365, any person who believes a new applicant is not fit, willing, and able to provide the proposed service—or will not comply with safety, financial responsibility, and regulatory requirements—has 10 days from the register notice date to file a protest with the FMCSA's Office of Registration.

For carriers and brokers reviewing potential new partners: USDOT numbers listed in the Register can be searched in SAFER and, as Motus stabilizes, will reflect in the new system as authority is formally granted following the protest period.

How this connects to insurance

The Motus transition has a direct connection to insurance filings. Insurance certificates for motor carriers and freight brokers are filed with the FMCSA electronically by the insurance provider. 

Those filings—including the BMC-91 for carrier liability and the BMC-84 for freight broker bonds—are tied to the carrier's or broker's registration record. During the Motus migration, some insurance filings did not carry over correctly, creating gaps between what the carrier's insurer had on file and what Motus was showing.

For carriers: confirming that insurance filings are correctly reflected in Motus (not just in the insurer's records) is a practical step during this transition period. A filing that exists but does not appear in the registration system may trigger an unnecessary compliance flag.

For freight brokers vetting carriers: an insurance gap showing in Motus during this period may reflect a data migration issue rather than an actual lapse. Freight brokers should follow their own carrier vetting protocols and consult their compliance or legal counsel regarding verification standards before tendering a load.

Frequently asked questions

Does Motus replace SAFER Web? Not entirely. Motus handles registration and authority management. SAFER Web (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) remains the public-facing tool for looking up carrier authority status, safety ratings, and insurance filing history. Both systems are relevant during the transition.

What happens if a carrier misses the Motus migration? Paper forms are still accepted with processing delays. Operating authority should remain valid when underlying compliance requirements are met, but carriers experiencing status discrepancies during the transition should contact the FMCSA Contact Center directly rather than relying solely on portal display. Delays in the migration may create complications for biennial updates and any authority changes needed during the transition period.

Will MC numbers change under Motus? MC numbers remain active. FMCSA has discussed long-term modernization plans, but there is no immediate elimination of existing MC numbers under the current Motus rollout.

How does the new identity verification work? New applicants must verify their identity through IDEMIA or CLEAR as part of the registration process. This applies to new USDOT and operating authority applications—not to existing carriers updating their records, though that may change as the system matures.

Where can issues with Motus be reported? FMCSA's registration modernization team can be reached at NewRegSys@dot.gov. For account access issues, the FMCSA Contact Center handles unlocking disabled or archived portal accounts. Contact details are subject to change; carriers should verify current contact information at motus.dot.gov.

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 works with multiple insurance carriers specializing in transportation risk and understands how FMCSA insurance filings connect to operating authority, registration compliance, and the day-to-day realities of running a trucking operation.

For a coverage review or a quote, contact GIA Group at 855-876-0717 or visit giasure.com.

This article is for educational purposes and reflects publicly available FMCSA guidance and industry reporting as of June 2026. It does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. For specific compliance questions, carriers and brokers should contact the FMCSA directly or consult a licensed transportation attorney.