Glossary · FMCSA & freight
Motus
Also called: FMCSA Motus, Motus registration system
Definition
Motus is FMCSA's online registration system, launched in May 2026, which replaced URS and the legacy L&I system for USDOT numbers, operating authority and filings.
FMCSA rolled Motus out in phases. Phase I opened on 2025-12-08 for supporting companies such as BOC-3 blanket agents, insurers and service providers. Legacy registration functions, including URS and L&I filings, were retired on 2026-05-14, and Motus opened to all regulated entities the following week.
Motus brings identity proofing for new applicants (a photo of a government ID and a face scan), business verification, and Login.gov sign-in. It randomizes newly issued USDOT and docket numbers, assigns each new authority its own docket, and shows USDOT suffixes for each registration type inside the system only. Phase II did not eliminate MC or FF numbers, add safety registration, or change BOC-3 filing.
The public data changed too. The legacy L&I datasets froze on 2026-05-14, and new Motus datasets on data.transportation.gov update daily.
Sources
- 01Federal Register: Availability of Motus, FMCSA's New Registration System · FMCSA notice, 2026-04-29
- 02FMCSA Licensing and Insurance (L&I) public site · Includes the 2026-05-14 retirement notice
- 03NGWA: FMCSA announces new online registration system, Motus · Summary of FMCSA's Motus guidance, 2026-08-27
- 04FMCSA Carrier, All With History (legacy L&I) · data.transportation.gov, last refreshed 2026-05-14
- 05FMCSA Motus Carrier, All With History · data.transportation.gov