Deadline TODAY: FMCSA Motus Registration System Launches – 5 Steps You Must Take Now or Lose Access

The FMCSA is rolling out its new Motus registration system and the deadline to prepare is May 14, 2026. If your Portal account is inactive, your company info is outdated, or your Company Official email doesn't match, you could be locked out. Here are the critical steps every carrier must take today.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is about to launch Motus, its new registration system — and the preparation deadline is May 14, 2026. If you haven't taken action yet, today is your last chance.

What is Motus?

Motus replaces the outdated FMCSA Portal and consolidates USDOT number registration, biennial updates, operating authority, insurance filings, and hazmat registration into a single platform. It features real-time data validation, mobile access, and enhanced identity verification through Login.gov and IDEMIA to combat fraudulent registrations.

5 Steps You Must Take TODAY

1. Confirm Your FMCSA Portal Account is Active
Log in at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov. Accounts are disabled after 90 days of inactivity and archived after 12 months. If yours is inactive, contact FMCSA at 1-800-832-5660 to get it unlocked.

2. Verify Your Company Information
Check that your business name, address, operation classification, and contact details are current. Update via the Biennial Update (MCS-150) in the Registration tab.

3. Confirm Your Company Official
Ensure the listed Company Official is someone who actually works for your company — not an outside consultant. This person will control access to your Motus account.

4. Match Your Login.gov Email
The Company Official's Login.gov email must match the email on the FMCSA Portal account. If they don't match, you won't be able to claim your USDOT number in Motus. Fix this now.

5. Understand the Transition
Once your account is linked to Motus, the old FMCSA Portal will no longer be your primary tool. All registration tasks move to the new system permanently. There is no going back.

What Happens If You Don't Prepare?

Carriers who fail to prepare risk being unable to access their own registration records, update company information, or file biennial updates. Government IT rollouts are always bumpy in the first year — the carriers who set things up correctly now will have the smoothest transition.

Need help? Contact FMCSA at 1-800-832-5660 or visit fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/resources-hub.

Sources: FMCSA, McCraren Compliance, Trucker Guide App, TruckSafe