On April 29, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a new online registration system, called Motus, and explained how its use helps satisfy current statutory and regulatory requirements for the Unified Registration System (URS). The new system will simplify the registration process, streamline identification, improve the user experience and incorporate enhanced verification tools.
Phase I of Motus was released on Dec. 8, 2025, and Phase II, expanding access to all registrants, is expected to rollout in 2026, though an exact date has not yet been announced.
Background
The FMCSA registration is a foundational requirement for motor carriers, freight forwarders and property brokers operating in interstate commerce. The FMCSA collects registration data to identify regulated entities, define the scope of their operations, and ensure compliance with federal safety and statutory requirements. This system allows the FMCSA to link vehicles and drivers to responsible carriers, supporting oversight, safety monitoring and enforcement activities.
Entities subject to FMCSA jurisdiction must maintain accurate and current registration information, including reporting changes to business structure, name or address. They are also required to maintain proper insurance coverage and designate process agents in each state of operation. Failure to meet these obligations can result in suspension or revocation of operating authority.
The registration process itself requires detailed disclosures about business operations, safety practices and equipment, which the FMCSA uses to determine operating authority and regulatory requirements.
To modernize this framework, the FMCSA implemented the URS, which became mandatory for new applicants in 2015; however, full rollout to existing registrants has been delayed, leaving a hybrid system in place. The FMCSA has since begun transitioning to a new system, Motus, to further streamline registration.
Motus is being introduced in phases, with Phase I having been released on Dec. 8, 2025, allowing supporting entities, such as BOC-3 filers, insurers and service providers, to create accounts and prepare for broader system adoption in subsequent phases expected sometime in 2026.
Key Highlights
Motus is FMCSA’s new unified registration system that will replace both the URS and the FMCSA portal. It serves as a single access point for registration, compliance and safety-related services, allowing regulated entities to manage their information, submit applications and interact with FMCSA systems in one place. The platform is designed to streamline processes through a modern, user-friendly interface with features such as auto-population, real-time data validation and mobile accessibility.
A key feature of Motus is its enhanced identity and business verification processes. The FMCSA has partnered with third-party providers, CLEAR and IDEMIA, to support business verification and individual identity verification, respectively, during the registration process. This includes validating a company’s legal name, address, ownership structure and compliance status to confirm legitimacy and prevent unauthorized access to FMCSA systems.
Under Motus, all new applicants must complete identity proofing as part of the registration process, and existing registrants must undergo identity verification when they first access the system. These requirements strengthen system security and help prevent fraud by ensuring that only properly authenticated users can obtain and manage FMCSA registrations.
Motus also addresses the growing problem of fraud within the motor carrier industry. The FMCSA has reported a significant increase in fraudulent activity, including identity theft, account hijacking, unauthorized changes to registration records, and the creation of fake or misleading registrations. In response, the new system incorporates stronger security controls, identity verification requirements and monitoring tools to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data. These safeguards are designed to reduce fraudulent activity and improve trust in FMCSA’s registration records.
The system consolidates most registration-related forms and processes into a fully online environment, allowing users to complete transactions digitally rather than submitting separate documents. Motus supports a wide range of activities, including:
- Applying for a USDOT number;
- Obtaining or modifying operating authority;
- Requesting reinstatements;
- Submitting biennial updates;
- Applying for emergency authority; and
- Managing registration records.
This expanded functionality reflects a shift toward a comprehensive, end-to-end digital compliance platform. The FMCSA will continue to use the USDOT number as the primary identifier for regulated entities, with additional internal identifiers to distinguish different types of registrations.
Employer Next Steps
As FMCSA continues its phased rollout, employers should recognize that compliance will increasingly depend on accurate data management, verified identities and full adoption of digital registration processes. To prepare, employers should take immediate steps within the FMCSA portal ahead of the Motus launch. This includes logging into their portal account by May 14, 2026, to confirm it is active, restoring access if necessary, and ensuring all company information, such as operation classification, contact details and authorized users, is accurate and up to date.
Updates can be completed through the Biennial Update (Form MCS-150), and only the designated company official using the correct Login.gov credentials will be able to initially claim the company’s account in Motus. Employers should also review available guidance materials, including the FMCSA Portal User Guide, and monitor FMCSA’s Registration Resources Hub for updates. Taking these steps will help ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions as Motus becomes the primary registration system.
