MOTUS is FMCSA's new online registration system replacing the legacy USDOT registration process. It is hosted at motus.dot.gov and is designed to modernize how motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders register and manage their company information with FMCSA.

Who needs to prepare for MOTUS?

Any company with a USDOT number — motor carriers, freight brokers, freight forwarders, and hazmat shippers — should prepare for the MOTUS transition. This includes both new applicants and existing carriers who need to keep their registration current.

What happens if I'm not ready for the MOTUS transition?

If your FMCSA Portal access, Company Official designation, or Login.gov identity is not properly set up, you may be unable to complete registration updates, file biennial updates, or respond to FMCSA notices through the new system. This could lead to delays, lapses in authority, or compliance issues.

Is the MOTUS Readiness Check free?

Yes. The motorcarrier.ai MOTUS Readiness Check is completely free. You answer a few questions about your company setup and get a personalized readiness score with specific action items — no account required.

What is a Company Official in FMCSA's system?

A Company Official is the person designated in the FMCSA Portal as the primary authorized representative for your company. Under MOTUS, this person must have a verified Login.gov account linked to your FMCSA Portal. If the wrong person is listed or they've left the company, you could lose access.

Do I need a Login.gov account for MOTUS?

Yes. MOTUS uses Login.gov for identity verification. Your Company Official must have a Login.gov account that matches the identity on file with FMCSA. If you've been using a third-party consultant's credentials, you'll need to reclaim account ownership before the transition.

How do I change my Company Official for MOTUS?

Log in to the FMCSA Portal and update the Company Official designation to the correct person — an owner, officer, or member who can legally bind the company. The new CO must then set up a verified Login.gov account with identity verification completed. Make this change before the MOTUS transition while the legacy systems still accept updates.

What if a consultant controls my FMCSA Portal access?

This is one of the most common MOTUS readiness issues. Contact your consultant and request they update the Company Official to you or the correct person at your company. Get your own FMCSA Portal credentials and set up a Login.gov account. If the consultant is unresponsive, contact FMCSA directly — they have processes for carriers to reclaim their own accounts.

Will my existing USDOT number change under MOTUS?

No. Your USDOT number stays the same. MOTUS is a new system for managing your registration — it does not change your USDOT number, MC number, or authority status. However, the way you access and update your records will change, which is why account setup and identity verification matter.

How long does the MOTUS Readiness Check take?

About 2–3 minutes. You answer six groups of questions about your company basics, authority status, FMCSA Portal access, Company Official, and record freshness. You get your readiness score and action plan immediately — no waiting, no follow-up calls required.

FMCSA registration modernization

Is your carrier ready for FMCSA's new MOTUS registration system?

MOTUS is replacing how FMCSA handles USDOT registration. Our free readiness check helps motor carriers, brokers, and freight businesses spot account access, identity, and Company Official issues before they cause delays or compliance problems.

Check My MOTUS Readiness — Free Learn What MOTUS Means for You

FMCSA is modernizing USDOT registration with MOTUS — are you prepared?

MOTUS is FMCSA's new registration system at motus.dot.gov. It replaces the legacy process with stronger identity verification through Login.gov, streamlined company management, and reduced fraud. The catch: if your account setup, Company Official designation, or Login.gov ownership isn't right, the transition creates real problems.

Common MOTUS transition risks

No access to the correct FMCSA Portal account
Wrong or outdated Company Official on file
Third-party consultant controlling account access
Stale MCS-150 data or outdated company details
Login.gov identity mismatch with FMCSA records

What the MOTUS Readiness Check covers

We assess your FMCSA transition risk and give you a concrete action plan — not vague compliance advice.

FMCSA Portal access & ownership

Identify Portal access problems, Company Official confusion, and third-party dependency that could block your MOTUS transition.

Login.gov identity alignment

Spot Login.gov and account control issues before they prevent you from completing registration in the new system.

Personalized action plan

Get a readiness score, issue summary, and recommended next steps in plain English — specific to your carrier setup.

How the MOTUS Readiness Check works

01
Answer a few questions
Tell us about your company, FMCSA Portal access, Company Official status, and Login.gov setup.
02
We assess your transition risk
We score readiness based on account access, identity alignment, and company data freshness against MOTUS requirements.
03
Get your action plan
See exactly what needs attention and what to fix before MOTUS goes fully live — prioritized by urgency.

What changes under MOTUS

The transition isn't just a new website — it changes how identity and access work.

Legacy system

-Simple username/password login
-Consultants can manage everything on your behalf
-No identity verification required
-Company Official rarely enforced
-Easy to lose track of account ownership

MOTUS system

+Login.gov identity verification required
+Company Official must be verified internal person
+Account ownership tied to real identity
+Reduced fraud and unauthorized changes
+Stronger security means stricter access requirements

The security improvements are real — but they mean carriers who aren't prepared will get locked out. Check your readiness now.

MOTUS frequently asked questions

Common questions about FMCSA's MOTUS system and what it means for your carrier.

What is MOTUS?: MOTUS is FMCSA's new online registration system replacing the legacy USDOT registration process. It is hosted at motus.dot.gov and is designed to modernize how motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders register and manage their company information with FMCSA.
Who needs to prepare for MOTUS?: Any company with a USDOT number — motor carriers, freight brokers, freight forwarders, and hazmat shippers — should prepare for the MOTUS transition. This includes both new applicants and existing carriers who need to keep their registration current.
What happens if I'm not ready for the MOTUS transition?: If your FMCSA Portal access, Company Official designation, or Login.gov identity is not properly set up, you may be unable to complete registration updates, file biennial updates, or respond to FMCSA notices through the new system. This could lead to delays, lapses in authority, or compliance issues.
Is the MOTUS Readiness Check free?: Yes. The motorcarrier.ai MOTUS Readiness Check is completely free. You answer a few questions about your company setup and get a personalized readiness score with specific action items — no account required.
What is a Company Official in FMCSA's system?: A Company Official is the person designated in the FMCSA Portal as the primary authorized representative for your company. Under MOTUS, this person must have a verified Login.gov account linked to your FMCSA Portal. If the wrong person is listed or they've left the company, you could lose access.
Do I need a Login.gov account for MOTUS?: Yes. MOTUS uses Login.gov for identity verification. Your Company Official must have a Login.gov account that matches the identity on file with FMCSA. If you've been using a third-party consultant's credentials, you'll need to reclaim account ownership before the transition.
How do I change my Company Official for MOTUS?: Log in to the FMCSA Portal and update the Company Official designation to the correct person — an owner, officer, or member who can legally bind the company. The new CO must then set up a verified Login.gov account with identity verification completed. Make this change before the MOTUS transition while the legacy systems still accept updates.
What if a consultant controls my FMCSA Portal access?: This is one of the most common MOTUS readiness issues. Contact your consultant and request they update the Company Official to you or the correct person at your company. Get your own FMCSA Portal credentials and set up a Login.gov account. If the consultant is unresponsive, contact FMCSA directly — they have processes for carriers to reclaim their own accounts.
Will my existing USDOT number change under MOTUS?: No. Your USDOT number stays the same. MOTUS is a new system for managing your registration — it does not change your USDOT number, MC number, or authority status. However, the way you access and update your records will change, which is why account setup and identity verification matter.
How long does the MOTUS Readiness Check take?: About 2–3 minutes. You answer six groups of questions about your company basics, authority status, FMCSA Portal access, Company Official, and record freshness. You get your readiness score and action plan immediately — no waiting, no follow-up calls required.

Know where you stand before MOTUS arrives

Take the free MOTUS Readiness Check and get a personalized action plan for your carrier.

Start My Free Readiness Check