MOTUS Is Coming: Everything You Need to Know About FMCSA's Biggest Registration Overhaul in Decades
- 10 hours ago
- 12 min read
By Safety Lane Magazine Editorial Staff
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is in the middle of the most significant transformation to its registration infrastructure in decades — and if you operate a truck, manage a fleet, broker freight, or file BOC-3 forms for a living, this change affects you directly. The new platform is called MOTUS, and whether you're ready or not, it's coming in 2026.
Here's what it is, why it matters, when it's happening, and — most importantly — what you need to do right now to prepare.
What Is MOTUS?
MOTUS is FMCSA's modernized USDOT registration platform, designed to replace the agency's long-outdated and fragmented legacy systems, including the Unified Registration System (URS), which itself was a troubled and delayed overhaul that never fully delivered on its promise. MOTUS represents a clean-slate approach: a single, unified, mobile-friendly platform where motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, insurers, BOC-3 filers, and transportation service providers can manage all of their FMCSA registration needs in one place.
Think of it as moving from a filing cabinet full of paper forms scattered across multiple offices to a single, secure, digital dashboard that works on your phone, your tablet, or your desktop — in real time.
The name itself signals the intent: movement, modernization, and momentum for an industry that has long been burdened by registration processes that are slow, siloed, and susceptible to fraud.
Why Is FMCSA Making This Change?
The short answer: fraud. And lots of it.
In a 2024 address at the Mid-America Trucking Show, FMCSA's Ken Riddle laid it out plainly: "Fraud and freight theft are at an all-time high in the commercial motor vehicle industry. Every corner of the industry is experiencing fraud, whether it be on the carrier side, the broker side."
The current registration systems have significant vulnerabilities. Bad actors — sometimes referred to as "chameleon carriers" — have exploited these gaps for years, shutting down operations to escape penalties and safety violations, only to reopen under a new name and USDOT number with a clean slate. These fraudulent operators pose a genuine safety risk on public roads and a financial risk to shippers, brokers, and legitimate carriers who compete against them.
MOTUS is designed to close these loopholes through:
Advanced identity verification, including Login.gov integration and biometric tools to confirm the identity of company officials
Real-time data validation that catches errors and inconsistencies at the point of entry, before they become compliance problems
Business validation processes that make it significantly harder for bad actors to cycle through registrations
Consolidated data across all registration types, giving FMCSA and law enforcement a clearer, more accurate picture of who is operating on the nation's highways
For legitimate carriers and service providers, this is good news. A cleaner, more accurate registry means less competition from fraudulent operators and a safer operating environment overall.
What Will MOTUS Actually Do Differently?
Beyond fraud prevention, MOTUS introduces a number of practical improvements that will affect day-to-day compliance management. Key features of the new platform include:
One system for everything. Currently, FMCSA's registration functions are spread across multiple platforms — the FMCSA Portal, the Licensing and Insurance (L&I) system, and others. MOTUS consolidates all FMCSA forms into a single, unified online system. One login, one dashboard, one place to manage your entire registration profile.
Smarter data entry. Auto-population tools, smart logic, and real-time edit checks will reduce redundant data entry and catch mistakes before they become violations. If something doesn't add up, the system flags it immediately rather than letting an error slip through.
Mobile and tablet access. No more waiting to get back to the office to update your registration information. MOTUS is built for mobile, meaning carriers and operators can view and update information on the go — a significant quality-of-life improvement for owner-operators in particular.
Enhanced user roles. The new system introduces more granular user permissions, ensuring that the right people have access to the right functions. This also means company officials can better control who is authorized to make changes to their registration profile — reducing the risk of unauthorized modifications.
USDOT Number suffixes. All regulated entities will continue to be identified by a USDOT Number, but MOTUS will add suffixes to indicate each type of registration granted. Importantly, these suffixes will not be a vehicle marking requirement — so there's no need to repaint your trucks.
Simplified biennial updates. The MCS-150 biennial update process will be streamlined with pre-filled information, making a routine but often tedious compliance task significantly easier.
Verification Requirements: What Every User Needs to Know
One of the most significant — and operationally important — aspects of MOTUS is its identity verification process. This is not a simple username-and-password setup. FMCSA has implemented a multi-layered verification framework that every user must complete, and understanding it in advance will save your team from delays and frustration at launch time.
Step 1: Create a Login.gov Account
The gateway to MOTUS is Login.gov, the federal government's centralized identity platform. Every person who needs access to MOTUS must first have their own Login.gov account. Login.gov uses multi-factor authentication (MFA), meaning users will need to verify their identity each time they log in through a second method — typically a code sent to a phone number or authentication app. This is not optional; it is a federal mandate across all government systems.
If you or your employees already have a Login.gov account used for other federal systems, you may be able to use it — but only if it is not already linked to a different FMCSA Portal account. Each Login.gov account can only be tied to one FMCSA account. This is a critical distinction that will catch many organizations off guard if they are not prepared.
Step 2: Identity Proofing Through IDEMIA
Beyond basic Login.gov authentication, MOTUS requires full identity proofing for account creation — powered by IDEMIA, a third-party identity verification provider. You may recognize IDEMIA's technology without knowing its name: it is the same system used at TSA checkpoints.
Here is how the IDEMIA verification process works in practice:
During account registration, you will be redirected from the FMCSA system to IDEMIA's platform via a QR code or direct link
You will be prompted to scan a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license or passport are the accepted documents
The system then uses facial recognition technology to confirm that the person holding the ID matches the person completing the registration
The process is designed to work on any smartphone with a camera and internet connection, and FMCSA reports that most users complete it in just a few minutes
Once verified, you are redirected back to the FMCSA system to complete your registration
An important privacy note for your team: FMCSA does not store any of the personal information collected during the IDEMIA verification process. IDEMIA manages that data under its own privacy policy, and FMCSA only receives confirmation that verification was successfully completed. Users must review and accept IDEMIA's Terms of Use and Privacy Statement before proceeding.
The good news: once identity proofing is completed, you will not need to repeat the full process in the future — unless specifically prompted by the system. Ongoing access uses your Login.gov credentials with MFA.
Step 3: Business Verification
In addition to individual identity verification, MOTUS also performs business address validation at the company account level. The system cross-references submitted business addresses against federal requirements, and if an address cannot satisfy FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations) requirements — for example, if it appears to be a P.O. box being used as a principal place of business — the application can be rejected. Make sure your business address on file is a legitimate, inspectable physical location before you create your company account.
Individual Accounts: A Major Structural Change You Cannot Ignore
This is where MOTUS diverges significantly from the current FMCSA Portal — and where many companies are going to be caught flat-footed if they don't plan ahead.
Under the current FMCSA Portal system, a Company Official can essentially manage access for others, and there is some flexibility in how user roles are shared or managed within a company account.
Under MOTUS, every individual user must have their own unique Login.gov account and their own MOTUS user profile. There is no sharing of credentials between users, regardless of role. This applies to every employee, agent, or staff member at your organization who needs any level of access to the system.
Here is the structural breakdown:
The Main Account Holder (Company Official) sets up the company account first, claims the existing USDOT Number, and is the only person authorized to invite additional users into the company account. Only this person should create a profile during the initial setup phase — FMCSA explicitly warns that sub-users should not create profiles without an invitation from the main account holder.
Sub-Users (Employees and Staff) can only access the MOTUS company account after receiving an invitation from the Main Account Holder. They must then create their own individual Login.gov account and complete the verification process independently. Sub-users can view and perform functions within the company account based on the role they are assigned — but they cannot manage other users or make changes outside their designated permissions.
What this means in practical terms: If you currently have three people at your company who access the FMCSA Portal under a shared or loosely managed setup, all three will need individual Login.gov accounts and will need to complete the IDEMIA identity proofing process independently before they can access MOTUS. For larger fleets or organizations with multiple staff handling compliance, registration, and filings, this means a coordinated onboarding effort — not just a single account setup.
Recommended action right now: Identify every person in your organization who will need MOTUS access. Make a list. Ensure each of those individuals has — or creates — their own Login.gov account with MFA enabled. Brief them on the IDEMIA identity proofing process so it is not a surprise when the time comes. Designate your Main Account Holder clearly and ensure that person's Login.gov email matches what is on file in the current FMCSA Portal.
Editor's Note: Safety Lane Magazine recommends verifying the specific user role structure directly with FMCSA as additional details are released closer to the full 2026 launch, as the system's role-based permissions may be further defined in onboarding documentation.
What MOTUS Will NOT Change — At Launch
This is equally important for your planning purposes. In response to strong stakeholder feedback during the development process, FMCSA confirmed that when MOTUS launches for all users, it will not include:
The introduction of Safety Registration
The elimination of docket numbers (MC/FF/MX numbers)
Changes to the BOC-3 form filing process
These potential changes remain under consideration and will require formal rulemaking and public comment before any implementation. The current regulatory agenda estimates a proposed rulemaking notice in March 2026. That means these items are on the horizon, but they will not catch anyone by surprise — there will be a full public comment period before anything changes.
The Rollout Timeline: What's Happening and When
MOTUS is being launched in phases, which is a deliberate strategy to ensure stability and allow the agency to gather feedback before opening the floodgates.
Phase 1 — December 2025 (Already Underway): FMCSA officially began the soft launch of MOTUS in December 2025, with limited access granted to supporting companies — transportation service providers, blanket companies (BOC-3 filers), and financial responsibility filers such as insurance and surety companies. These organizations received early access because they will ultimately support thousands of carriers once the system fully opens. During this phase, supporting companies can create user profiles and company accounts, add and manage process agent information, and manage company users. However, all official filings — BOC-3, insurance, etc. — must still be made through FMCSA's existing systems until those functions become active in MOTUS.
Phase 2 — Mid to Late 2026: Full rollout to all users, including new and existing motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders. This is when the broader industry will be able to access the system, claim existing USDOT Numbers, and take advantage of all of MOTUS's enhanced tools and features. FMCSA anticipates registration requirements will begin in this timeframe and will issue onboarding instructions, training materials, FAQs, and support resources closer to the rollout date. The agency also plans to host informational webinars and industry roundtables to ensure all registrants are prepared.
Phase 3 — Ongoing After 2026: Continuous improvements and future rulemaking. FMCSA has made clear that MOTUS is not a one-time update but an evolving platform. After the full launch, the agency will continue collecting feedback and releasing additional functionalities. Future rulemaking — including the potential changes to Safety Registration and docket numbers mentioned above — will follow the standard notice-and-comment process.
What This Means for Each Segment of the Industry
Motor Carriers and Fleet Operators: Your biggest immediate task is ensuring your FMCSA Portal account is active and up to date before the full MOTUS launch. If your account information is outdated or your Company Official is listed as an outside consultant rather than an actual employee or owner, you could face friction during the transition. Start cleaning up your records now.
Owner-Operators: The good news is that MOTUS is designed with mobile access in mind, which aligns with the reality of how independent operators work. The bad news is that the transition will require active participation — you can't sit this one out and hope someone else handles it. Make sure your USDOT Number information is current and your Portal account is accessible.
Brokers and Freight Forwarders: The consolidation of registration functions into a single platform should reduce administrative burden over time. In the near term, however, be prepared for a learning curve. FMCSA has noted that migrating from fragmented legacy systems to a unified platform will require attention and adjustment. If you rely on outside consultants to manage your FMCSA filings, make sure your internal Company Official information is properly updated — MOTUS requires the Company Official to be an actual owner or employee, not a third-party service provider.
Transportation Service Providers and BOC-3 Filers: You are already in Phase 1. If you haven't yet created your company account in MOTUS and claimed your existing Licensing and Insurance (L&I) filer account, do so now. Completing this action during the early access period ensures that your existing financial responsibility filings are successfully linked and displayed when MOTUS opens for all users.
Your MOTUS Preparation Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your organization is ready for the MOTUS transition:
✅ For All Registrants
Log in to your FMCSA Portal account and confirm it is active. If you don't have one, create one immediately at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov
Verify your Company Official is listed as the actual owner or a current employee — not an outside consultant or third-party service provider
Confirm that the Login.gov email for your Company Official in the FMCSA Portal matches the Login.gov email that will be used to log into MOTUS — these must match to link your USDOT Number to your new MOTUS account
Submit an updated MCS-150 biennial update through the Portal to ensure your most current business information is on file before MOTUS launches
Review all users with access to your FMCSA Portal account in the "Account Management" tab and remove anyone who should no longer have access
Watch for FMCSA announcements regarding the full launch date, onboarding instructions, and training webinars — sign up for FMCSA email updates at fmcsa.dot.gov
✅ Account Creation & Identity Verification (Every Individual User)
Create a Login.gov account if you don't already have one — every person who needs MOTUS access must have their own individual Login.gov account. Do not share credentials
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your Login.gov account — this is mandatory, not optional
Prepare a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or U.S. passport) — you will need this for the IDEMIA identity proofing step during account creation
Be ready for facial recognition — the IDEMIA system will compare your face to your ID photo via your smartphone camera. This process typically takes only a few minutes
Review IDEMIA's Terms of Use and Privacy Statement before beginning — you must accept these before completing identity proofing
Verify your business address is a legitimate, inspectable physical location before creating your company account — P.O. boxes and virtual addresses may cause your application to be rejected
Designate your Main Account Holder clearly before launch — this is the only person authorized to invite other employees (sub-users) into the company account. Choose this person carefully and make sure their Login.gov email matches what is in the current FMCSA Portal
Make a complete list of every employee who will need MOTUS access and ensure each of them individually creates their own Login.gov account and completes identity proofing. Sub-users cannot self-register — they must wait for an invitation from the Main Account Holder
✅ For Supporting Companies (BOC-3 Filers, Insurers, TSPs)
Create your MOTUS user profile and company account now during the early limited access period
Claim your existing L&I Filer Account during company account creation to link your existing financial responsibility filings to your new account
Keep business information updated in both the current L&I system and in MOTUS during the transition period — both systems must be current until the full launch
Continue making all official filings (BOC-3, insurance, etc.) through FMCSA's existing systems until MOTUS is fully launched for filings
✅ For Brokers and Freight Forwarders
Audit your current registration data for accuracy — MOTUS's enhanced validation will flag inconsistencies that older systems let slide
Notify your compliance team or consultants about the upcoming transition so they can plan accordingly
Attend FMCSA's informational webinars and industry roundtables when announced — these will be the best source of real-time guidance
The Bottom Line
MOTUS is not optional, and it's not something you can afford to ignore until it arrives. The carriers, brokers, and service providers who prepare now — updating their Portal accounts, cleaning up their registration data, and staying informed about the rollout timeline — will have a smoother transition. Those who wait will face a scramble.
The bigger picture is also worth appreciating: MOTUS represents a genuine effort by FMCSA to modernize an infrastructure that has been holding the industry back for years. A more secure, accurate, and fraud-resistant registration system ultimately benefits legitimate operators. It levels the playing field, improves safety data quality, and makes it harder for bad actors to exploit the system at the expense of carriers who play by the rules.
Stay tuned to Safety Lane Magazine for ongoing coverage of the MOTUS rollout, including updates on the full launch date, FMCSA training resources, and any future rulemaking that may follow.
For the most current and authoritative information on MOTUS, visit FMCSA's official registration modernization page at fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/whats-coming or the MOTUS FAQs at fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/modernization-faqs.
Safety Lane Magazine recommends that all carriers, brokers, and service providers consult directly with FMCSA resources and, where appropriate, qualified compliance professionals before making regulatory decisions.
Editorial Note: Carriers and brokers who are unsure whether their FMCSA Portal and Login.gov accounts are properly structured or updated ahead of the MOTUS launch are encouraged to seek professional assistance. CellEx Consulting Group provides consulting services on preparation and compliance for the transition to the new platform. For more information, visit cellexllc.com or call 224-404-6114.
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