Motus is now FMCSA’s system for creating and managing USDOT registrations. It went live for motor carriers and other regulated entities in May 2026, replacing the registration functions that had been split among the Unified Registration System, Licensing and Insurance, and the FMCSA Portal. Existing USDOT, MC, MX and FF numbers did not change just because the system changed.
The practical difference is that registration now begins with a verified person and a verified company account. A carrier should identify its real company official, confirm the legal business record and gather its operating information before starting. Guessing at classifications, cargo types or authority needs can create a record that does not match the business.
What Motus changed in 2026
| Registration issue | Current Motus approach |
|---|---|
| Access | A user signs in through Login.gov and completes identity verification before managing a company account. |
| New identifiers | New USDOT and operating-authority docket numbers are randomized as an anti-fraud measure. |
| Operating authority | Each newly granted authority receives its own docket number and history, even when several authorities are requested together. |
| Entity indicators | New USDOT numbers can display suffixes that help identify the entity type and FMCSA registrations. A suffix is not a vehicle-marking requirement. |
| Existing numbers | Existing USDOT and docket numbers remain in place. Existing authorities sharing one docket number continue under that number. |
| Legacy filing routes | URS is offline, and registration options in the legacy FMCSA Portal and L&I system have been disabled. |
Prepare before opening the application
Start with the legal entity, not the truck. The legal name and business address should agree with formation records and other government records. Decide who will serve as the main account holder and company official. That person needs authority to act for the company and should use an individual Login.gov account rather than shared office credentials.
Then document the operation in plain language. Record whether the company is a motor carrier, broker, freight forwarder, intermodal equipment provider or another regulated entity. For a carrier, identify whether it is private or for hire, interstate or intrastate, the cargo it actually transports, passenger capacity where applicable, hazardous-material activity, the number and type of power units, driver counts and annual mileage.
These are not cosmetic fields. They affect the registration path and the rules applied to the business. A private carrier hauling its own equipment is not a broker. A broker arranging transportation is not automatically a motor carrier. A carrier applying for interstate for-hire authority should select the authority that fits its real service and cargo.
Motus registration steps
1. Create or use your Login.gov account
Motus uses Login.gov for sign-in and identity verification. Use an email controlled by the individual company official. Protect the account with multifactor authentication and store recovery methods securely. Do not create a shared Login.gov identity for several staff members.
2. Complete identity and business verification
The main account holder provides personal identity information and the business details requested by Motus. FMCSA describes identity and business verification as central anti-fraud controls. Enter the legal entity information exactly and resolve a failed match rather than changing valid business facts simply to make a screen advance.
3. Claim or create the company account
An existing registrant links its existing FMCSA record to the company account. A new registrant creates the company record through the new application. Check the USDOT number, legal name and existing authority carefully before claiming anything. A duplicate USDOT registration is not a workaround for lost access or an outdated record.
4. Add authorized users deliberately
The main account holder can manage access and invite other users. Give each person only the role needed for their work. Remove access when a staff member or outside provider no longer acts for the company. Individual accounts produce a clearer audit trail than shared passwords.
5. Complete the correct registration action
Choose the action that matches the need: apply for a new registration, update company information, complete a biennial update, apply for operating authority or manage an existing registration. Read the review screen before certification. Vehicle counts, driver counts, mileage, cargo and operation classifications should reflect current facts.
6. Track status and related filings
A submitted application or assigned docket number is not proof that interstate for-hire authority is active. Monitor the specific authority status and any required insurance or process-agent filings. Do not begin regulated operations until the registration and authority required for those operations are effective.
Using a transportation service provider
Motus supports transportation service providers, but the carrier should retain control of its company account and understand every certification made in its name. Verify the provider’s identity and scope before granting access. Keep a copy of the instructions, submitted data and final confirmation. Remove access when the work ends.
A provider can help determine the right filing, review business classifications, prepare supporting information and resolve discrepancies. It should not invent data, create an unnecessary duplicate record or conceal who is submitting information.
Common Motus mistakes
- Using a shared or former employee’s Login.gov account. The company can lose control when that person leaves.
- Claiming the wrong USDOT record. Match the legal name, number and company details before linking.
- Confusing a docket number with active authority. Check the granted authority and its current status.
- Selecting every available business type. Apply only for activities the company actually performs.
- Treating suffixes as truck markings. FMCSA says the new USDOT suffixes are not a marking requirement.
- Ignoring account access after filing. Review users and providers periodically.
Official Motus links
Use FMCSA’s Registration Modernization Resources Hub, Motus modernization FAQs and summary of registration changes. Bookmark the pages rather than relying on a link in an unsolicited email.
Related guidance: USDOT number vs MC number, DOT and MC authority setup and the MCS-150 biennial update checker.
Last reviewed August 18, 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is FMCSA Motus?
Motus is FMCSA's USDOT registration system. It now handles registration actions that were previously divided among URS, Licensing and Insurance, and registration options in the FMCSA Portal.
Did existing USDOT and MC numbers change in Motus?
No. Existing USDOT and docket numbers did not change solely because Motus launched. New numbers are randomized, and each newly granted authority receives its own docket number.
Do I need Login.gov for Motus?
Yes. Users access Motus through an individual Login.gov account and complete the identity-verification steps required for their role.
What is a Motus company account?
It is the business account used to manage company information, registrations, filings and authorized user access. The main account holder controls invitations and company access.
Can a provider manage a Motus filing for my carrier?
Motus supports transportation service providers. The carrier should verify the provider, grant only necessary access, review every certification and keep control of its company account.
Does an assigned MC number mean authority is active?
No. A docket number can exist before authority is granted or activated. Confirm the specific authority and status before performing regulated interstate for-hire operations.
Are new USDOT suffixes required on trucks?
No. FMCSA states that Motus suffixes help identify entity and registration types but are not a vehicle-marking requirement.
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