Why ABA Members Should Act Now to Prepare for the MOTUS Transition
Are you ready for the FMCSA registration transition?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is preparing to launch MOTUS: USDOT Registration System in 2026 as its new single, secure, mobile-friendly online dashboard for registration actions. FMCSA is also rolling the new system out in phases, with supporting companies already given limited access ahead of the broader registrant launch.
For ABA members, this transition is not something to leave for later. It is an operational issue that directly affects a company’s ability to access its registration information, link its existing USDOT Number to its new MOTUS account, and take needed registration actions without delay once the system opens to registrants.
FMCSA’s message is straightforward: companies with a USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority should take three steps now in the FMCSA Portal.
- Make sure the Portal account is active.
- Verify that the correct Company Official is listed.
- Submit the online Biennial Update (MCS-150) in the Portal’s Registration tab to keep current business information on file.
The most important step may be confirming that the right person is listed as the Company Official. The FMCSA says this person should be the company owner or an employee authorized to manage and update the FMCSA registration, not a transportation service provider or an outside consultant. FMCSA also says the Login.gov email for that Company Official in the Portal must match the Login.gov email used to log in to MOTUS to link the company’s USDOT Number to its new MOTUS account.
That matters because the right setup now can prevent avoidable problems later. If the proper Company Official is already in place and using the matching Login.gov email, the company should be able to claim its USDOT Number and have its new MOTUS account populated with existing records much more quickly. If that work is not done in advance, carriers may face added friction at launch and may need FMCSA assistance to straighten out account access and authority to act.
For ABA members, the takeaway is practical. This is not just an IT housekeeping exercise. It is a business continuity issue. Registration access affects compliance, account control, and the ability to act quickly when needed. Members should treat this as a near-term readiness task, confirm who holds the approved Company Official role, verify that the correct Login.gov email is being used, and ensure company information is up to date in the Portal.
ABA encourages members to review their FMCSA Portal access now and complete the required preparation steps before the registrant launch. Acting now will help reduce confusion, avoid delays, and put companies in a stronger position to transition smoothly into MOTUS. FMCSA is continuing to publish updates, job aids, and training resources through its Registration Modernization Resources Hub.
