FMCSA Registration: Navigating the MOTUS Portal

What Is MOTUS

MOTUS is the FMCSA's modern registration portal that consolidates multiple legacy systems into a single online platform. ¹ If you need to register for a USDOT number, apply for MC authority, complete your biennial update, or make changes to your existing registration, MOTUS is where it all happens.

The portal replaced the older URS (Unified Registration System) and streamlined the application process. While the system is more user-friendly than its predecessors, the application still requires careful attention to detail. Mistakes delay your authority activation and can create problems that take weeks to resolve.

Before You Start: Preparation Checklist

Gather all required information before logging into MOTUS. Starting the application without proper preparation is the number one cause of errors and delays.

Required Information

Business entity details:

• Legal business name exactly as registered with your state
• EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS -- do NOT use your Social Security Number ³
• Business physical address (must be a physical location, not a PO Box)
• Mailing address
• Business phone number and email

Operation details:

• Type of operation: Carrier (Property), Carrier (Passenger), Broker, or Freight Forwarder
• For carriers: cargo types you will transport (general freight, household goods, hazmat, etc.)
• For carriers: equipment types (straight truck, tractor-trailer, etc.)
• Estimated number of power units and drivers
• States where you will operate

Payment:

• Credit or debit card for the $300 filing fee (for MC authority) ²
• USDOT registration alone is free ²

Prerequisites

Before applying through MOTUS, ensure:

1. Your business entity (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship) is properly formed with your state
2. You have your EIN from the IRS (apply at irs.gov, takes minutes)
3. You understand which type of authority you need

For most trucking operations, you need Carrier -- Property authority. This covers hauling freight for compensation in interstate commerce. See our guide on starting a trucking business for the complete startup sequence.

Step-by-Step Registration Walkthrough

Step 1: Create Your MOTUS Account

Navigate to portal.fmcsa.dot.gov and create a new account. Use a business email address that you check regularly because the FMCSA will send notifications and correspondence to this address.

If you already have a USDOT number from a previous registration, you can link your existing registration to your MOTUS account.

Step 2: Begin a New Application

From the dashboard, select the option to apply for new registration. The system will guide you through a series of screens collecting your information.

Entity type: Select whether you are an individual, partnership, corporation, LLC, or other entity type. This must match your actual business structure.

Legal name: Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your state filing documents. Discrepancies between your MOTUS application and your state registration can cause delays.

EIN: Enter your Employer Identification Number. Using a Social Security Number instead of an EIN is a common mistake that causes problems.

Step 3: Select Your Authority Type

For a standard freight carrier, select:

• Carrier -- Property: Authority to transport regulated commodities for hire
• Check the appropriate cargo classifications (general freight is the most common)

If you also want to broker freight, you can apply for Broker authority in the same application, though this requires a $75,000 surety bond. ⁴

Step 4: Enter Operational Details

Provide information about your operation:

• Number of power units (trucks)
• Number of drivers
• Types of equipment
• Estimated annual mileage
• States of operation

These numbers do not lock you in. You can update them later. But provide accurate estimates because they affect how the FMCSA categorizes your operation.

Step 5: Review and Submit

Carefully review every field before submitting. Common errors to check:

• Legal name matches your state filing exactly
• EIN is correct (not your SSN)
• Business address is a physical location
• Operation type matches your intended business
• All required fields are completed

Step 6: Pay the Filing Fee

MC authority applications require a $300 fee payable by credit card, debit card, or ACH. The USDOT number portion of the registration is free.

After Submission: What Happens Next

The Protest Period

After your application is submitted and processed, the FMCSA publishes it in the Federal Register with a 10-day protest period. ⁴ This allows existing carriers or interested parties to file objections. Protests are rare for standard carrier applications.

Activation Timeline

Total processing from submission to active authority: 4-6 weeks. During this period, complete these parallel tasks:

1. File your BOC-3 process agent designation immediately
2. Arrange commercial trucking insurance and have the BMC-91 filed ⁶
3. Complete UCR registration ($76)
4. Set up your IFTA account
5. Prepare your equipment and driver qualification files

Your authority cannot go active until your BOC-3 and insurance filings are both on record with the FMCSA. Filing these early eliminates bottlenecks.

Checking Your Status

Log into MOTUS periodically to check your application status. You can also verify your registration on the FMCSA SAFER website (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) once your USDOT number is assigned. ⁵

Updating Existing Registrations

Biennial Update

Every two years, you must update your registration information through MOTUS. This is mandatory and free. ² Missing the biennial update can result in USDOT deactivation.

Address and Contact Changes

Update within 30 days of any change to your business address, phone number, or primary contact. Navigate to your registration in MOTUS and submit the changes.

Adding Authority Types

If you want to add broker authority or passenger carrier authority to your existing registration, you can apply through MOTUS without starting a new registration.

Reporting Changes in Operation

Changes to your number of vehicles, drivers, cargo types, or operational scope should be reflected in your MOTUS registration promptly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Application stuck in processing. If your application has not progressed after 6 weeks, contact the FMCSA Registration Division. Have your USDOT number and application reference number ready.

Cannot link existing USDOT to MOTUS. Contact FMCSA support for assistance migrating your legacy registration to the MOTUS platform.

Authority shows inactive despite insurance and BOC-3 being filed. Verify through SAFER that both the BMC-91 and BOC-3 are showing as active. Processing delays between filing and system updates can take a few business days.

For the broader context of what comes before and after your MOTUS registration, see our complete guide on starting a trucking business. For ongoing compliance requirements once your authority is active, see our FMCSA compliance guide.