FMCSA launches Motus system: the largest carrier registration update in 30 years

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has officially begun the implementation of Motus — a new digital registration system that is set to radically change the approach to the accounting and control of carriers, brokers, and forwarders. According to the regulator, this is the most significant update to the agency's registration infrastructure in the past three decades.

FMCSA announced the launch of Motus at the end of 2024, confirming the fulfillment of a long-standing promise to modernize outdated and fragmented registration systems.

Motus is a unified online platform that will eventually replace several existing FMCSA tools used for:

• registering USDOT numbers
• obtaining and managing operating authorities (MC, FF, MX)
• filing biennial updates
• interacting with process agents and insurance companies

According to FMCSA, the project's goal is to improve data accuracy, enhance identity verification, and reduce the scale of fraud in the industry. A detailed description of the system is published on the agency's official page: FMCSA — What’s Coming: Motus.

One of the key reasons for launching Motus was the issue of so-called chameleon carriers — companies that close after violations and quickly re-register under a different name. According to FMCSA, such carriers pose an increased risk to road safety.

As noted by the industry publication FreightWaves, FMCSA views Motus as a tool for stricter verification of businesses and related individuals. In a December 2024 publication, the agency emphasizes that the new system will allow "linking registration to real people and legal entities, not just formal data." Source: FreightWaves — FMCSA delivers on 30-year promise with Motus registration system.

The implementation of Motus is phased:

• at the end of 2024, auxiliary market participants — BOC-3 process agents, insurance, and surety companies — gained access to the system
• a full transition for carriers, brokers, and forwarders is planned for 2026

In the first phase, existing registrations remain valid, and companies are not required to re-register immediately. FMCSA has repeatedly emphasized that the transition will be gradual to avoid disruptions in the industry's operations.

On a separate project portal, FMCSA states that Motus will become a "single entry point" for all registration actions and will simplify business interactions with the regulator in the future. The agency emphasizes that issues such as the potential cancellation of MC numbers or changes to the BOC-3 process will be considered separately and only after public discussion. Official project portal: Motus — FMCSA Registration System.

For companies in the freight transportation sector, Motus is a signal to prepare in advance for new requirements:

• update contact information and responsible persons
• be ready for enhanced identity and business verification
• monitor official FMCSA notifications about mandatory transition dates

Although in practice Motus does not yet affect the daily operations of most carriers, in the medium term, the system may change market entry rules and increase transparency across the industry.

FMCSA positions Motus as the foundation for a safer and fairer motor carrier ecosystem in the US — and 2026 will be a key moment when all market participants will feel these changes.