[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23144-23148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08334]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2024-xxxx]
Availability of Motus, FMCSA's New Registration System
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of policy regarding the use of Motus, FMCSA's new
registration system.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA is announcing a new, online registration system, and
explaining how use of this new system will satisfy current statutory
and regulatory requirements pertaining to the Unified Registration
System (URS). The new system, called Motus, derives its name from the
Latin word for ``movement,'' ``motion,'' or ``progress'' and will
simplify the registration process, streamline identification, improve
the user experience, and incorporate enhanced verification tools. FMCSA
intends to introduce Motus in phases. Phase I was released on December
8, 2025, and allows supporting companies, which include blanket
companies (Form BOC-3 filers), financial responsibility filers (such as
insurance/surety companies and other financial institutions), and
transportation service providers (those who assist motor carriers,
brokers, freight forwarders, and other entities that are required to
register with FMCSA) to create an account in the new registration
system. In Phase II, planned for the second quarter of 2026, Motus will
become available to all regulated entities. The system will satisfy the
statutory mandate for a unified registration system and FMCSA will
sunset the current URS used for new applications for USDOT Numbers and
Operating Authority, registration components of the Motor Carrier
Management Information System (MCMIS) and the former Interstate
Commerce Commission Licensing and Insurance system, established in
1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffrey Secrist, Office of
Registration, Chief, Registration Division, DOT, FMCSA, West Building,
6th Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 385-
2367; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Existing Statutory Authority for Registration System and Forms
FMCSA registers for-hire motor carriers of regulated commodities
and of
[[Page 23145]]
passengers under 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) 13902(a); surface
freight forwarders under 49 U.S.C. 13903; property brokers under 49
U.S.C. 13904; certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers under 49 U.S.C.
13902(c); and cargo tank motor vehicle manufacturers, assemblers,
repairers, inspectors, testers, and design certifying engineers under
49 U.S.C. 5121a, 49 CFR 1.87, and 49 CFR part 107, subpart F. These
regulated entities may conduct transportation services in the United
States only if they are registered with FMCSA. Each registration is
effective from the date specified and remains in effect for such period
as the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) determines.
Motor carriers, freight forwarders, and property brokers are
required by statute to update name or address changes. Similarly,
following suspension or revocation of operating authority (based on an
administrative filing lapse), entities are required to apply for
reinstatement. Procedures for changing the name or business form of a
motor carrier, freight forwarder, or property broker (49 CFR 365.413T)
require that motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers must
submit the required information to FMCSA's Office of Registration
requesting the change.
Subsection (d) of 49 U.S.C. 13905 also provides that on application
of the registrant, the Secretary may amend or revoke a registration,
and hence the registrant's operating authority. These registrants may
apply to revoke or to suspend voluntarily their operating authority or
parts thereof. If the registrant fails to maintain evidence of the
required level of insurance coverage on file with FMCSA, its operating
authority will be revoked or suspended involuntarily. Though the effect
of both types of revocation or suspension is the same, some registrants
prefer to request voluntary revocation. For various business reasons, a
registrant may request revocation or suspension of part, but not all,
of its operating authority.
Registered motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders must
designate an agent on whom service of notices in proceedings before the
Secretary may be made (49 U.S.C. 13303). Registered motor carriers must
also designate an agent for every State in which they operate and
traverse in the United States during such operations, on whom process
issued by a court may be served in actions brought against the
registered motor carrier (49 U.S.C. 13304, 49 CFR 366.4T). Every broker
shall designate an agent for each State in which its offices are
located or in which contracts are written (49 U.S.C. 13304, 49 CFR
366.4T). Regulations governing the designation of process agents are
found at 49 CFR part 366.
FMCSA requests information to identify the applicant, the nature
and scope of its proposed operations, safety-related details, and
information regarding the drivers and vehicles it plans to use in U.S.
operations. FMCSA and the States use registration information collected
to monitor the regulatory and statutory compliance of motor carriers,
freight forwarders, brokers, and other entities. Registering motor
carriers is essential to being able to identify carriers so that their
safety performance can be monitored and evaluated. The data makes it
possible to link individual trucks to the responsible motor carrier,
thus implementing the mandate under 49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(1) to ensure
that commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are maintained and operated
safely. In general, registration information collected informs
prioritization of the Agency's activities and aids in assessing and
statistically analyzing the safety outcomes of those activities.
The final rule titled ``Unified Registration System,'' (78 FR
52608) dated August 23, 2013, implemented statutory provisions for an
online registration system for entities that are subject to FMCSA's
licensing, registration, and certification regulations. When developing
the URS, FMCSA planned that the OP-1 series of forms (except for OP-
1(MX)) would ultimately be folded into one overarching form (MCSA-1),
which would be used by all motor carriers seeking operating authority.
FMCSA began a phased rollout of URS in 2015. The first phase, which
became effective on December 12, 2015, impacted only first-time
applicants seeking to register with FMCSA for a new USDOT Number and if
applicable, operating authority registration. These first-time
applicants are required to use URS when seeking their initial
registration. FMCSA had planned subsequent rollout phases for existing
registrants; however, there were substantial delays, and subsequent
phases have not been rolled out to date. On January 17, 2017, FMCSA
issued a final rule titled ``Unified Registration System; Suspension of
Effectiveness,'' which indefinitely suspended URS effectiveness dates
for existing registrants (82 FR 5292). FMCSA expects to propose
implementing several provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the
21st Century Act (MAP-21) that relate to the URS, as well as to update
and codify the Agency's procedures for granting, suspending, and
revoking registration in 2026.
Pursuant to the 2017 final rule, FMCSA accepts forms OP-1, OP-1(P),
OP-1(FF), and OP-1(NNA) for existing registrants wishing to apply for
additional authorities. Separately, FMCSA requires Form OP-1(MX) for
Mexico-domiciled carriers that wish to operate beyond the U.S.
municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border and their commercial zones.
Forms in the OP-1 series request information to identify the applicant,
the nature and scope of its proposed operations, a narrative
description of the applicant's safety policies and procedures, and
information regarding the drivers and vehicles it plans to use in U.S.
operations. The OP-1 series also requests information on the
applicant's familiarity with relevant safety requirements, the
applicant's willingness to comply with those requirements during its
operations, and the applicant's willingness to meet any specific
statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to its proposed
operations. Information collected through these forms aids FMCSA in
determining the type of operation a company may run, the cargo it may
carry, and the resulting level of insurance coverage the applicant will
be required to obtain and maintain to cover its operating authority.
In addition, for entities already registered with the Agency, FMCSA
accepts Form MCS-150 (Motor Carrier Identification Report, Application
for USDOT Number), Form MCS-150B (Combined Motor Carrier Identification
Report and Hazardous Materials Safety Permit [HMSP] Application), and
MCS-150C (Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report,
Application for USDOT Number). The Secretary has the authority, under
49 U.S.C. 504(b)(2), to require carriers, lessors, associations, or
classes of these entities to file annual, periodic, and special reports
containing answers to questions asked by the Secretary. Existing
registrants use the MCS-150 or MCS-150B to update their information in
MCMIS, while applicants filing for the first time are required to file
online using URS. Form MCS-150 or MCS-150B is also used for Mexico-
domiciled carriers that seek authority to operate beyond the U.S.
municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border and their commercial zones.
FMCSA's New Registration System, Motus
Summary of Motus's Capabilities
Motus will replace URS as well as the FMCSA Portal which is a web-
based system that acts as a single entry point to FMCSA systems for
various services
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and information that is used by motor carriers, their associates, and
other authorized account holders to manage registration, to update
company information, to access data on crash and inspection history,
and to interact with other FMCSA systems (e.g., the Drug and Alcohol
Clearinghouse). Motus will serve as the unified registration system
required by statute (49 U.S.C. 13908). Federal, State, and industry
users will use Motus to access the Agency's existing information
systems and safety data about the companies regulated by FMCSA. Motor
carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers,
and cargo tank facilities have secure access to their company
information on file with FMCSA. Motus will streamline the registration
process and put fraud-resistant security features, such as individual
identity and business verification, at the forefront. Its intuitive,
user-friendly design and expanded user profiles will significantly
improve the registration experience. Motus will utilize auto-
population, real-time data validation, edit checks, and smart logic to
tailor experiences to user needs, making interactions more relevant and
efficient. In addition, it will provide easily accessible account pages
to view and manage user and business information, preferences, and
activity. Notifications will help keep users informed of activity
within the system. Users will also be able to view and update
registration information on the go via mobile device or tablet. Motus
will also allow all individuals required to register with FMCSA to do
so online and record payment via Pay.gov for all registration
transactions where fees are applied.
On December 8, 2025, FMCSA implemented Phase I for Motus with
limited access for supporting companies, which includes blanket
companies (Form BOC-3 filers), financial responsibility filers
(insurance/surety companies and other financial institutions), and
transportation service providers assisting motor carriers, freight
forwarders, brokers, or other entities with FMCSA registration. During
the limited access period, supporting company administrators were able
to set up user profiles, create company accounts (business profiles),
and invite authorized users. This action ensured these stakeholders are
prepared to deliver essential support to the industry when Motus opens
for all users in Phase II. When the implementation of Phase II begins,
registrants will be able to complete all of the following activities
using Motus:
First-Time Registrants
1. Apply for a USDOT Number and operating authority registration
from FMCSA.
Existing Registrants
2. Apply for emergency temporary authority when an FMCSA emergency
declaration is issued (motor carriers only).
3. Apply for new types of registration (i.e., Intermodal Equipment
Provider, Cargo Tank Facility, and HMSP registrations) or additional
authorities, or update their registration information.
4. Allow Mexico-domiciled carriers, that wish to operate beyond the
U.S. municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border and their commercial
zones, to register.
5. Request name changes, address changes, and reinstatement of
operating authority registration for motor carriers, freight
forwarders, and brokers.
6. Request to voluntarily suspend or revoke their operating
authority registration with FMCSA and record their USDOT Number as out
of business.
7. Apply for a reinstatement of an operating authority previously
held and reactivate their USDOT Number.
8. Voluntarily suspend or revoke their operating authority and
amend their USDOT Number operation classification or company operations
to remain active.
9. Reapply after New Entrant Revocation or following a rejection,
withdrawal, or dismissal if they meet the required conditions (motor
carriers only).
10. Renew their HMSP and cargo tank registrations (motor carriers
with HMSP and cargo tank facilities).
11. Complete their biennial update, to ensure their USDOT Number
and operating authority information with FMCSA is current.
Blanket Companies, Transportation Service Providers, and the Public
12. Blanket companies (Form BOC-3 filers) and those entities
providing proof of financial responsibility requirements, such as
insurance/surety companies and other financial institutions, will use
the new registration system to complete their required actions,
including registering their business entity information, managing
users, and submitting or removing filings. Transportation service
providers (those who assist motor carriers, brokers, freight
forwarders, and other entities that are required to register with
FMCSA) will use the new system to register as an individual or to
register their business information, to manage their users (only for
businesses), and to perform authorized functions on behalf of the
regulated entity the provider represents. The public will be able to
search an entity's registration record, visit the FMCSA Register, and
get support via the FMCSA Contact Center.
Consolidation of Forms Into Motus
Once Phase II of Motus is released, all forms described in the
Notice of Policy section will be integrated into the online system and
users will enter information in a series of fields to complete actions,
rather than submitting separate documents. The only exception will be
the Form OP-1(MX) (Application to Register Mexican Carriers for Motor
Carrier Authority to Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial
Zones on the U.S. Mexico Border).
Enhanced Verification and Fraud Reduction
Identity Verification
FMCSA is increasing accountability and reducing fraudulent
information from appearing in registration records with the
introduction of an identity verification process as part of any new
FMCSA registration. In April 2025, the Agency partnered with IDEMIA to
perform identity document capture and verification services to verify
the legitimacy of an applicant's identity, to reduce fraudulent
activity, to enhance the security of FMCSA systems, and to protect
sensitive data in URS. With Motus, all new applicants will be required
to pass identity proofing and verification. This will enhance the
Agency's digital resilience, promote user confidence, and ensure that
only verified entities can register with FMCSA and access their
registration information. Based on FMCSA's latest information, Motus
will verify the identity of all new applicants, as well as the
approximately 800,000 existing registrants when users access the new
system for the first time.
To complete the identity verification process as part of a
registration application in Motus, one will need access to a smartphone
or tablet and a valid, government-issued identification. An applicant
must: (1) scan the Quick Response (QR) code in Motus with their
smartphone or tablet to open the identity verification session in their
browser; (2) select a language, document country, and document type
(identity card, driver's license, passport, or resident card); (3) take
a photo of the selected document; (4) take a photo of themself by
scanning their face with the smartphone or tablet; and (5) return to
Motus and complete the identity verification process and finish the
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registration application. FMCSA and its vendor will not store, share/
transmit, or sell any customer information. The proofing and
verification process is a stand-alone process that only allows FMCSA to
verify identity as part of the Agency's registration process when the
customer requests new registration(s).
Business Verification
With Motus, FMCSA will also implement a new business verification
service and conduct information edit checks that will confirm a
company's authenticity, as well as validate key information, such as
its legal name, the principal places of business address, ownership
structure and company officials, and its status to ensure compliance
with applicable State and Federal registration requirements. By
establishing a secure and reliable process for confirming a business's
identity, FMCSA will: ensure that the business claiming an identity is
who it says it is, thus preventing unauthorized access and use of
information for fraudulent purposes; identify and mitigate instances of
fraud, including account takeover, false identity creation, and other
deceptive purposes; enable trustworthy and secure digital transactions
by ensuring that business is engaging in online activities that are
authenticated and authorized; and prevent the exposure of confidential
data by ensuring that only authorized individuals of the business have
access to specific resources or services.
In September 2025, FMCSA partnered with CLEAR who will conduct the
business verification services as part of the registration process in
Motus. These activities will serve as a foundational component in the
landscape of digital security, playing a pivotal role in verifying and
validating the business identities seeking access to various FMCSA
services and systems. They will not only safeguard sensitive
information but also form the bedrock of trust in online interactions,
helping organizations prevent unauthorized access, combat fraud, and
adhere to regulatory compliance. By establishing a secure and reliable
process for confirming a business's identity, FMCSA aims to improve the
overall resilience of digital ecosystems, to promote user confidence,
and to ensure that only legitimate entities gain access to appropriate
data and services. FMCSA estimates that the government conducts
approximately 5.5 million transactions annually for motor carrier
registration and compliance related purposes that require business
verification.
Efforts To Address Fraudulent Information From Appearing on
Registration Records
FMCSA has seen a significant increase in the occurrence of presumed
fraudulent activity where erroneous information about a registered
entity is being used, resulting in cargo and monetary theft in the
motor carrier industry. Examples of fraudulent activity include
identity theft, hijacking FMCSA motor carrier accounts, selling of
motor carrier numbers, personal identification numbers, and fraudulent
or fake initial registrations. Some of the recent reported fraudulent
activities may be perpetrated by foreign actors. In response, FMCSA has
significantly increased efforts while developing Motus to further
secure its systems to reduce opportunities for fraud.
Streamlined Registration Identification
With Motus, FMCSA will continue to identify all regulated entities
by a USDOT Number as the unique identifier that the Agency issues as
part of the registration process, whether in accordance with part 365
or part 390. New USDOT Number suffixes, which will appear at the end of
a company's USDOT Number to indicate each type of registration granted,
are only visible in the system for ease of use at this time. They will
not change in formal Agency correspondence documents (i.e., letters,
notices, orders, etc.). A registrant may have multiple suffixes after
its USDOT Number to identify specific registrations it holds. Suffixes
are not required for marking CMVs, but are required by statute for
identification on documents for business transactions involving freight
forwarders, brokers, or motor carriers (for-hire non-exempt carriers).
Listening and Responding to Stakeholder Feedback
During multiple stakeholder days, listening sessions, and
presentations, stakeholders and customers commented on the need for
more time to understand some of the proposed changes, assess the
impact, and adjust their systems and processes accordingly.
Stakeholders expressed concerns in three core areas: the introduction
of safety registration, the elimination of the Motor Carrier (MC) and
Freight Forwarder (FF) Docket Numbers, and changes to the process for
the Form BOC-3 to be filed with the Agency.
In response to stakeholder feedback, the Phase II release of Motus
will not include the implementation of safety registration, the
elimination of MC/FF numbers, or changes to the Form BOC-3 filing
process. FMCSA will take a measured approach to implement these changes
in later releases while continuing to engage our stakeholders as we
maximize the new registration system's benefits in enhancing safety,
reducing fraud, and improving data accuracy. In Motus, the status of
the registration and operating authorities granted to a registrant will
be displayed on a dashboard-style page to easily identify a carrier's
various operating authorities as required by 49 U.S.C. 13901-13906, and
31134.
Notice of Policy
All entities currently required to use URS to complete their
initial registration with FMCSA will be required to use Motus as Motus
will become the unified registration system, and the current URS will
be disabled. FMCSA requires for-hire motor carriers of regulated
commodities and of passengers under 49 U.S.C. 13902(a); surface freight
forwarders under 49 U.S.C. 13903; property brokers under 49 U.S.C.
13904; certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers under 49 U.S.C.
13902(c); and cargo tank motor vehicle manufacturers, assemblers,
repairers, inspectors, testers, and design certifying engineers under
49 U.S.C. 5121a, 49 CFR 1.87, and 49 CFR part 107, subpart F, to
complete their registration transactions with FMCSA using Motus. For
all other entities who must register with FMCSA, for purposes of
complying with existing regulatory requirements pertaining to
registration found in 49 CFR parts 365, 366, and 390, FMCSA will
encourage registrants to use Motus to manage the registration life
cycle for regulated entities. FMCSA's goal with Motus is to simplify
the registration process, streamline identification, improve the user
experience, and incorporate enhanced verification tools. FMCSA will
accept the following forms, accompanied with the requested supporting
documents including a valid U.S., U.S. Territories, Mexican, or
Canadian government-issued identification (e.g., passport, driver's
license, permanent resident card or identification card), until a
regulatory change eliminates references to these forms: OP-1, OP-1(P),
OP-1(FF), OP-1(NNA), OP-1(MX), MCS-150, MCS-150B, MCS-150C, MCSA-5889,
OCE-46, and BOC-3. However, customers may expect a minimum timeframe of
eight business days for the initial review and processing. This
anticipated delay is separate and in addition to any additional
processing time required if the application is flagged for further
investigation or vetting for statutory or regulatory compliance. FMCSA
anticipates issuing a rulemaking in the
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Spring of 2026 proposing, among other things, to require the usage of
Motus for all registrants, and to eliminate the listed forms.
During the Phase II implementation of Motus, prior to any finalized
regulatory changes eliminating currently required forms, new applicants
or registered entities who use Motus will not be cited or penalized for
not using the forms listed above, despite current regulatory
requirements to use URS and the listed forms. FMCSA encourages all
users to utilize Motus whenever possible, as the Agency believes doing
so will reduce both time and burden on regulated entities.
FMCSA is developing Motus in such a way as to save users as much
time as possible. However, until Motus is implemented, FMCSA cannot
estimate the burden, in hours or expense, that users of the new system
will be required to endure in comparison to the burdens associated with
other approved information collections, particularly when compared with
using the existing systems and more importantly, if an applicant elects
to send a completed paper form and the requested supporting
documentation. FMCSA expects that, at worst, the time and effort
required to complete an application, update, or process agent
designation in the new system will be the same as it is to complete in
the URS or using a paper form.
Prior to the Phase II release of Motus, FMCSA requests current
registrants review their records for accuracy and make updates now,
including process agent and insurance filings, save a copy of their
records to match against the data in Motus for safety and security
purposes, and review their FMCSA Portal account authorized users and
remove anyone who has left, changed roles, or no longer needs access to
the company's account.
The Agency will provide updates and additional information on the
development and planned Phase II release of Motus on the FMCSA
Registration Modernization Resources Hub (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/resources-hub).
Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87.
Derek Barrs,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-08334 Filed 4-28-26; 8:45 am]
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