FMCSA’s move to Motus comes with one of the most important changes in the registration process: stronger identity and business verification.
For motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and supporting companies, this means FMCSA is putting more checks in place to confirm that the person accessing a company record is who they say they are and that the business information connected to the registration is legitimate.
This is a significant change for an industry that has dealt with rising concerns around fraud, identity misuse, shell companies, unauthorized registration changes, and bad actors using inaccurate business information to enter the transportation market.
FMCSA’s goal is to make the registration process more secure and help protect legitimate companies from fraud.
Why FMCSA Is Adding Stronger Verification
FMCSA registration data plays a major role in transportation compliance. It helps determine whether a company is authorized to operate, what kind of authority it has, where the company is located, and who is connected to the business.
When that information is inaccurate or manipulated, it creates risk throughout the industry. A fraudulent registration can affect shippers, brokers, carriers, insurers, enforcement agencies, and the public. It can also harm legitimate businesses that follow the rules but are forced to compete against companies using false or incomplete information.
Identity verification is FMCSA’s way of tightening the front door.
Instead of allowing registration activity to be handled with older access methods alone, FMCSA is moving toward a more secure process that connects an individual user to a verified identity and connects a company account to verified business information.
These changes are also part of a larger effort to reduce registration fraud across the transportation industry. For companies concerned about suspicious notices, misleading providers, or questionable authority-related outreach, Logistec/TTS has also shared guidance on avoiding DOT and MC Authority scams.
What Identity Verification Means
Identity verification is the process of confirming that the person creating or accessing an account is a real person and is tied to the information they provide.
In Motus, users should be prepared to create or use a Login.gov account, enter personal information, and complete the identity verification process. FMCSA provides official information about its identity verification process, and Login.gov also explains what users may need when asked to verify their identity.
Depending on the user and situation, verification may include using a mobile device, capturing images of a government-issued ID, and taking a photo during the process. Login.gov notes that accepted steps may include taking photos of an ID, confirming personal information, verifying a phone number, and, in some cases, taking a selfie to confirm the user is the owner of the ID.
The purpose is not simply to add another step. The purpose is to reduce the chance that someone can create or access a registration account using false information.
What Business Verification Means
Identity verification focuses on the individual user. Business verification focuses on the company.
FMCSA has stated that motor carriers, brokers, and other entities will be required to enter business information and complete business verification to create a company account in Motus. This matters because a company’s FMCSA record should accurately reflect the business behind the registration.
That includes information such as the legal business name, address, principal place of business, contact information, operating details, and authorized users.
FMCSA is also placing more emphasis on whether the company’s address and business details are valid. If a company’s records are incomplete, inconsistent, outdated, or tied to an address that cannot satisfy FMCSA requirements, that may create problems during the registration or update process.
For companies that have moved, changed ownership, changed contacts, changed operating classification, or relied on outdated Portal information, now is the time to clean that up.
Who Will Be Affected?
FMCSA identity and business verification requirements can affect:
- New motor carrier applicants
- Existing motor carriers
- Brokers
- Freight forwarders
- Intrastate carriers that need a USDOT Number because of state requirements
- Transportation service providers
- BOC-3 filers
- Insurance and financial responsibility filers
- Other supporting companies that need access to registration activity
Existing registrants should not assume this only applies to brand-new applicants. As companies transition into Motus and complete registration actions, account access, user roles, identity verification, and business verification may all become part of the process.
What Users Should Expect
The exact steps may vary depending on company type and account role, but users should generally be prepared to:
- Use Login.gov to access Motus.
- Create an individual user profile.
- Complete identity verification.
- Create or claim a company account.
- Enter or confirm business information.
- Complete business verification.
- Manage authorized users carefully.
FMCSA’s Motus Quick-Start Job Aid provides additional guidance for users logging into the new system for the first time.
For existing registrants, the Company Official plays a key role. The Company Official is the person authorized to act on behalf of the company and claim the USDOT Number in Motus.
That person should use the same Login.gov email associated with the FMCSA Portal role when claiming the account. If the wrong person is listed, or if the wrong email is used, the company may face delays getting access to its Motus account.
Why the Company Official Matters
The Company Official should be the company owner or someone authorized to sign documents on behalf of the company.
This is not a detail to overlook. FMCSA has stated that only the FMCSA Portal Company Official using the same FMCSA Portal Login.gov email will be allowed to claim an account in Motus for the first time.
If your company has gone through staffing changes, ownership changes, office changes, or has relied on a third party to handle registration details, make sure you know who is listed as the Company Official.
The wrong setup may not be obvious until your company needs to make a change. At that point, delays can become more disruptive.
What This Means for Third-Party Service Providers
Many transportation businesses use outside service providers to help with FMCSA registration, filings, updates, and compliance-related tasks.
Motus does not eliminate that support, but it does create a clearer permission structure. Regulated companies will need to authorize service providers before those providers can access or assist with registration activity.
This is an important safeguard. It helps make sure a service provider is actually approved by the company and that the company remains responsible for reviewing and submitting information connected to its registration.
For service providers, this also means their own accounts and identities must be set up correctly. FMCSA’s Motus Supporting Company Job Aid offers additional guidance for supporting companies that need to work within the new system.
Companies that rely on outside support for Operating Authority, USDOT Number, or BOC-3 Process Service needs should confirm that their provider understands Motus and has the proper authorization to assist.
How This Helps Legitimate Companies
Stronger verification may feel like an extra step, but it can help protect legitimate businesses.
It can help reduce unauthorized access to company records. It can make it harder for fraudulent companies to enter the system with false information. It can improve the quality of FMCSA registration data. It can also give shippers, brokers, carriers, and support companies more confidence that the records they are reviewing are tied to real, verified businesses.
In a market where fraud can create serious financial and safety risks, better verification is a meaningful step.
What Companies Should Do Now
Carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and supporting companies should review their FMCSA account information before they need to make an urgent change.
Start by confirming who has access to your FMCSA Portal account, who is listed as the Company Official, and whether your company information is current. Review your legal business name, principal place of business, contact information, operation classification, and authorized users.
Make sure the person responsible for Motus access has the right Login.gov email and understands the identity verification process. If your company has questions, FMCSA’s Ask FMCSA page includes registration-related help topics, including Motus, identity verification, FMCSA Portal access, USDOT Numbers, operating authority, and insurance.
It is also a good idea to talk with any third-party service providers your company uses. Make sure they understand Motus and know what they can and cannot do on your behalf.
Moving Forward with FMCSA Identity Verification
FMCSA identity verification is about more than logging into a new system. It is part of a broader effort to improve registration security, reduce fraud, and make company records more trustworthy.
For legitimate carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and support companies, the best approach is to prepare before there is a problem.
Know who controls your account. Keep your business information current. Be ready to verify your identity. Make sure your company record reflects the real business behind the registration.
If you are unsure how Motus affects your registration, authority, or filing requirements, working with an experienced transportation licensing partner can help reduce confusion. Logistec/TTS assists motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and supporting companies with federal and state registration requirements.