On Tuesday April 28, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a bulletin reminding carriers of “Important Steps You Must Take to Prepare for FMCSA’s New Registration System”.
Carriers who operate with a USDOT number and are registered with FMCSA would also have received this information directly via a letter issued by FMCSA.
The full text of the Bulletin is highlighted below, or it can be viewed online at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/important-steps-you-must-take-prepare-fmcsas-new-registration-system.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will soon roll out the agency’s new registration system. There are critical steps you must take to prepare for the launch:
Please take the following actions in the FMCSA Portal by May 14, 2026:
- Log into your FMCSA Portal account (portal.fmcsa.dot.gov) to confirm it is active. If you do not have a Portal account, you can create one and use your USDOT PIN to access your information. Obtain your PIN at: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
- Please note that FMCSA Portal accounts are disabled after 90 days and archived after 12 months of inactivity. If your account is disabled or archived, reach out to the FMCSA Contact Center at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/ask-fmcsa to have your account unlocked.
- In the Portal, ensure your company information, operation classification, contact information, and individuals authorized to access your record are all correct.
- You can make updates to your company information in the FMCSA Portal the same way you complete a Biennial Update. Select “Biennial Update (MCS-150)” in the “Registration” tab.
Only the FMCSA Portal Company Official using the same FMCSA Portal Login.gov email will be permitted to claim an account in Motus for the first time. Once your account is successfully linked to Motus, you will no longer need to access the FMCSA Portal to make registration changes.
Please download the “FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for FMCSA Registered Entities and Associates” at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/fmcsa-portal-registration-userguide- fmcsa-registered-entities-and-associates.
Stay up to date by visiting www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/resources-hub for the latest information, fact sheets, and more.
If you need assistance, contact the FMCSA 1-800-832-5660.
FMCSA has also published the following flyer to remind and assist carriers with the transition to Motus – https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2026-04/Motus-Prep-Portal-Actions-April2026-D6%20508.pdf.
As outlined in the bulletin, carriers will be able to file their FMCSA biennial updates through Motus once registered they’re registered in the new system. Information about biennial update schedules and requirements are outlined in the following FMCSA FAQ – https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/when-am-i-required-file-biennial-update
As previously highlighted, FMCSA is launching a modernized registration system, called “Motus”. The goal of the new system is to “simplify the registration process, streamline identification, improve the user experience, and incorporate enhanced verification tools”. In addition to streamlining certain functions, one of the primary goals of the new system is to combat fraud and enhance identity verification. A fact sheet, which can be viewed here, is available which outlines the “changes coming with the new system”.
For members who have some questions or need additional support, FMCSA has published some frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the new registration system and its functionalities. These FAQs outline why FMCSA is modernizing the system and what functionalities can be expected. These FAQs can be viewed here. Additional FAQs are also available to address questions on Account Creation, Identity Verification, and Business Verification and can be viewed here.
