The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in late April a new online registration system, Motus: USDOT Registration System.
The system satisfies the statutory mandate for a unified registration system (URS) and is a step forward in FMCSA’s efforts to strengthen oversight, reduce fraud, improve efficiency, and better serve America’s trucking industry.
The FMCSA will sunset the current URS used for new applications for USDOT numbers and operating authority, registration components of the Motor Carrier Management Information System, and the former Interstate Commerce Commission Licensing and Insurance system.
Motus introduces updates to how registrations are issued and identified:
- USDOT Number and Docket Number Randomization: To help prevent fraud, Motus will randomize all newly issued USDOT Numbers and operating authority docket numbers. Existing USDOT and docket numbers will not change.
- One Docket Number per New Authority: Motus will assign one unique docket number for each newly granted authority, even if you request multiple authorities in the same application.
Note: Docket numbers for existing authorities will not change. Multiple existing authorities will continue to share the same docket number. - Individual History Tracking: Each new operating authority granted in Motus will have its own distinct history in the system, making it easier to track its specific lifecycle.
- Operating Authority Statuses: Motus provides more detailed explanations for each operating authority status. While the status names themselves haven’t changed, Motus adds the specific reason behind a status.
- USDOT Number Suffixes: Motus displays suffixes at the end of new USDOT Numbers to help users identify the regulated entity type and the specific registrations granted by FMCSA. Companies registering for the first time in Motus will see suffixes next to their USDOT Number in their company account; registrants with existing USDOT Numbers will not. Suffixes are not a vehicle marking requirement.
Staying the Same:
Already have a USDOT Number or docket number? Existing numbers will not change. Motus will continue to issue docket numbers and prefixes (MC/MX/FF) will remain the same. Multiple existing authorities will continue to share the same docket number.
Under Consideration:
Safety Registration, the future elimination of docket numbers, and changes to the BOC-3 form filing process are still under consideration and will be open for public comment in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Click here to stay up to date on registration modernization efforts by subscribing to email updates.
Moving forward, Motus will replace outdated systems and serve as your home base to apply for and manage registrations, view and update information, and control authorized access to your company account.
Click here to watch a video explanation of Motus.
Click here to learn more about Motus.