A New System for a More Secure Registration Process

Anyone searching for FMCSA’s new Motus registration system is likely trying to understand what is changing, who will need to use it, and how this update may affect carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and other transportation businesses.

According to a Federal Register notice published on April 29, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is introducing Motus as its new online registration system. The system is designed to simplify the registration process, streamline identification, improve the user experience, and incorporate enhanced verification tools. In practice, Motus represents a major step toward modernizing how regulated transportation entities manage registration with FMCSA.

Why FMCSA Is Moving to Motus

For years, FMCSA registration has involved several systems, forms, and processes. Motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and other regulated entities have used systems such as URS, MCMIS, the former ICC Licensing and Insurance system, and the FMCSA Portal for different parts of the registration and compliance process.

Motus is intended to bring more of that activity into one modernized online system. FMCSA states that Motus will eventually replace URS and the FMCSA Portal, while serving as the unified registration system required by statute. The goal is to give federal, state, and industry users a more centralized way to access registration information, manage company records, view safety data, and interact with FMCSA systems.

For transportation companies, this matters because registration is not just an administrative step. Accurate registration data affects operating authority, USDOT Numbers, insurance filings, process agents, business information, and the ability to legally operate in the market. A more centralized system could make that process easier to manage, but it also means companies will need to make sure their information is accurate before the transition.

Who Will Need to Use Motus

Motus will apply to a wide range of regulated entities. This includes for-hire motor carriers, passenger carriers, property brokers, freight forwarders, certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers, and cargo tank facilities.

The system will also involve supporting companies, including BOC–3 filers, insurance and surety companies, financial responsibility filers, and transportation service providers that assist motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and other entities with FMCSA registration.

This makes Motus important not only for carriers and brokers, but also for the broader network of companies that support transportation registration and compliance.

How the Motus Rollout Will Work

FMCSA is introducing Motus in phases. Phase I was released on December 8, 2025, and gave limited access to supporting companies, including blanket companies, financial responsibility filers, and transportation service providers. During this phase, supporting company administrators were able to set up user profiles, create company accounts, and invite authorized users.

Phase II is planned for the second quarter of 2026. Once Phase II begins, Motus will become available to all regulated entities. At that point, users will be able to complete major registration activities directly through the new system.

For first-time registrants, Motus will allow users to apply for a USDOT Number and operating authority registration. Existing registrants will be able to update registration information, request name and address changes, request reinstatement of operating authority, apply for additional registration types, complete biennial updates, renew certain registrations, and voluntarily suspend or revoke operating authority.

In other words, Motus is not only a new application portal. It is being positioned as a broader registration lifecycle management system.

Why Fraud Prevention Is a Major Part of Motus

One of the most important reasons behind the Motus rollout is fraud prevention. FMCSA states that it has seen a significant increase in presumed fraudulent activity involving registration records. Examples include identity theft, hijacking motor carrier accounts, selling motor carrier numbers and PINs, and fake initial registrations. FMCSA also notes that some recently reported fraudulent activity may involve foreign actors.

This is a major issue for the freight industry because fraudulent registration activity can create serious risks, including cargo theft, financial loss, identity misuse, unauthorized account access, and unreliable carrier information.

To address these risks, Motus will include stronger security features, including identity verification and business verification. FMCSA states that all new applicants will be required to pass identity proofing and verification. The process will require access to a smartphone or tablet and a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, identity card, or resident card. Users will scan a QR code, upload an ID document, take a photo of the document, complete a face scan, and then return to Motus to finish the process.

FMCSA also expects Motus to verify the identity of all new applicants, as well as approximately 800,000 existing registrants when they first access the new system.

Business Verification and Data Accuracy

In addition to identity verification, Motus will include business verification. FMCSA plans to validate important company information, including legal name, principal place of business address, ownership structure, company officials, and business status.

The purpose is to confirm that the company claiming an identity is actually legitimate and authorized. This is intended to help prevent unauthorized access, account takeover, false identity creation, and other deceptive activity.

For carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders, this means business records will need to be clean, accurate, and up to date. Incorrect company information, outdated authorized users, missing filings, or mismatched records may create unnecessary delays once the system becomes fully available.

What Is Not Changing Immediately

Although Motus introduces major changes, FMCSA has clarified that some proposed updates will not be included immediately in Phase II. After receiving stakeholder feedback, FMCSA stated that Phase II will not include the implementation of safety registration, the elimination of MC and FF docket numbers, or changes to the BOC–3 filing process.

This is important because many industry stakeholders expressed concern about needing more time to understand the impact of these changes and adjust their internal systems and processes. FMCSA said it will take a measured approach and continue engaging stakeholders before moving forward with those changes in later releases.

What Companies Should Do Before Phase II

Before Phase II of Motus is released, FMCSA recommends that current registrants review their records for accuracy and make updates now. This includes reviewing process agent filings, insurance filings, company records, and FMCSA Portal authorized users.

Companies should also save a copy of their existing records and remove any portal users who have left the company, changed roles, or no longer need access to the account.

For transportation companies, this is the practical takeaway: Motus is designed to make registration more secure and efficient, but the transition will be smoother for companies that prepare early. Clean records, correct business information, current insurance filings, and controlled user access will matter.

Key Takeaway

FMCSA’s Motus system is more than a technology update. It is part of a broader effort to modernize registration, reduce fraud, improve data accuracy, and create a more secure process for carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and other transportation entities.

For companies operating in the freight industry, the most important step is preparation. Registration records should be reviewed, authorized users should be updated, insurance and process agent filings should be checked, and company information should be corrected before the system becomes fully available.

Motus may simplify the registration process over time, but companies that enter the transition with accurate records and verified access will be in the best position to avoid delays and maintain compliance.

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