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ARTICLE · 26 OCTOBER 2026

FMCSA MOTUS Implementation – Common Motor Carrier Concerns

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration launched MOTUS in May 2026, replacing legacy registration platforms and fundamentally changing how motor carriers, freight brokers, and surface freight forwarders handle operating authority applications and license maintenance. While designed to combat fraud and streamline registration activities, the transition has created significant user experience challenges that threaten operating authority status and customer relationships for transportation service prov

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) retired its legacy registration platforms and replaced them with “MOTUS” in May. This modernization effort is a significant overhaul for motor carriers, freight brokers and surface freight forwarders. It changes the way operating authority applications and license maintenance are handled, including insurance filings and biennial MCS-150 updates. A number of carrier clients have also reported serious challenges with the changeover that have continued into June.

The FMCSA developed MOTUS to serve as a single-window platform for all registration activities. The legacy “Safer” and “Licensing & Insurance” pages will no longer present current registration information to the public. MOTUS became the hub through which federal, state and industry users access safety and registration data starting on May 16, 2026.

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