May 14th, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is preparing to launch “Motus,” a new registration platform for trucking companies, freight brokers, and freight forwarders. The agency is urging hundreds of thousands of registered companies to log in and update their information before May 14th, when the current registration system will shut down.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the transition is part of a broader effort to modernize outdated registration platforms and replace multiple legacy systems, including the Unified Registration System (URS) that was introduced in 2015 for new motor carrier applicants.
A major feature of the new Motus platform is enhanced identity verification for both individuals and businesses. The system is designed to combat fraud and reduce the number of “chameleon” carriers — companies that shut down and reopen under new names to avoid penalties while continuing operations. The new requirements will apply to both existing registrants and newly formed companies.
FMCSA officials are encouraging existing carriers and brokers to ensure their FMCSA Portal accounts remain active and that all company information is updated before the transition. Under the new system, only the designated company official connected to the account will be able to access it, and identity verification will be required.
Motus will also replace the current FMCSA Portal and introduce multiple layers of verification aimed at improving security and reducing fraudulent activity within the industry.
Implementation of the new system began in December with companies such as process agents and insurers already using the platform. The May 14th transition marks the second phase of the rollout. Officials warned that companies failing to complete updates before the deadline could face delays due to increased demand once the system fully launches.
To support the identity verification process, FMCSA partnered with technology firms IDEMIA and CLEAR. The verification process includes scanning identification through IDEMIA’s system and completing business verification through CLEAR, which checks company names, employer identification numbers (EINs), and addresses for consistency.
Once verification is completed, users will receive authentication codes required to access the system. FMCSA officials say the added security measures are intended to significantly reduce fraudulent registrations and unauthorized access.
The agency expects the Motus system to be fully operational early in the week of May 18th.
