Less than a month after the launch of FMCSA's new Motus registration system, trucking companies across the country continue reporting difficulties accessing accounts, linking USDOT numbers, and completing registration-related tasks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently issued multiple statements acknowledging the issues and confirming that technical teams are actively working on system improvements. According to FreightWaves, complaints from carriers, brokers, and compliance professionals have grown since the platform launched on May 14.

What is Motus?

Motus was introduced as FMCSA's new registration platform designed to replace several legacy systems and provide a single access point for registration, authority management, and compliance-related activities.

The system is intended to improve security, simplify registration management, and help combat freight fraud through stronger identity verification and account controls. FMCSA has described the platform as a major modernization effort involving the migration of decades of registration data into a unified system.

Why are carriers experiencing problems?

Many of the reported issues involve account access and identity verification.

Some carriers have struggled to link their USDOT numbers to the new system, while others discovered that the email address associated with their FMCSA account belongs to a former employee, compliance provider, or individual who no longer works with the company. These situations can prevent companies from claiming their Motus profile and accessing registration functions.

Industry consultants report that support requests have increased significantly since the rollout began, with some carriers spending hours attempting to resolve account issues.

FMCSA says fixes are already underway

FMCSA acknowledged that some users experienced difficulties following the launch and stated that resolving the issues is a priority. According to the agency, updates have already been implemented to address identity verification and first-time login problems. Additional resources are currently focused on insurance filings and operating authority status issues.

The agency also emphasized that Motus remains a critical part of its effort to improve registration security and reduce opportunities for fraud within the trucking industry.

What should carriers do now?

Industry experts recommend that carriers avoid making unnecessary changes in the system unless they have an immediate business need. Companies that must interact with Motus should verify that:

• company contact information is accurate
• authorized users are correctly listed
• Login.gov credentials are active
• MCS-150 information is current
• the designated company official can access the account

These steps can help reduce delays and simplify future interactions with the platform.

What this means for trucking companies

Although the rollout has created frustration for some users, Motus is expected to remain FMCSA's primary registration platform moving forward. The system is part of a broader effort to modernize registration processes, strengthen identity verification, and combat fraud across the transportation industry.

For now, carriers should expect continued updates as FMCSA works through the early stages of implementation. Companies that do not have urgent registration needs may benefit from waiting until the most significant technical issues are resolved before making non-essential changes within the system.

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