FMCSA Pauses USDOT Number Inactivations During Motus Issues

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is giving motor carriers and other registrants more time to complete required biennial updates as the agency works through issues involving its new Motus registration system. FMCSA announced that it has temporarily suspended enforcement of the biennial update requirement. The agency has also paused the inactivation of USDOT numbers for affected registrants.

The relief applies to registrants whose required biennial update was due on or after June 1, 2026. FMCSA said those registrants will receive additional time to complete the update. Their USDOT Number will not be inactivated solely because they failed to submit the required biennial update during the covered period. The agency updated its guidance on September 10.

USDOT Number Inactivations Temporarily Suspended

Motor carriers and other entities registered with FMCSA normally have to update their registration information every two years.

The requirement helps keep information associated with a USDOT Number current. Even companies that have not changed their information generally must complete the required update.

Failure to complete the update can normally lead to the deactivation of a USDOT Number.

For now, FMCSA is temporarily suspending that enforcement for affected registrants while it continues what the agency calls the “recovery and stabilization” of Motus.

The agency has not announced an end date for the temporary relief.

FMCSA said it will provide additional guidance as work on the registration system continues.

Who Is Covered by the Temporary Relief?

The date is important.

According to FMCSA, the additional time applies to registrants whose biennial update was due on or after June 1, 2026.

Those entities will not have their USDOT Number inactivated for failing to complete that biennial update during the temporary suspension.

That does not mean carriers should ignore their registration information.

FMCSA describes the measure as additional time to complete required updates, not a cancellation of the underlying requirement. The agency has also not said that the relief applies to every possible reason a USDOT Number could become inactive.

The announcement specifically addresses inactivation resulting from failure to complete the required biennial update.

Motus Replaced Older FMCSA Registration Systems

The temporary change comes during FMCSA’s transition to Motus: USDOT Registration System.

Motus launched for regulated entities in May 2026. It is designed to become the central system for managing FMCSA registrations.

Motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and other regulated entities can use Motus. Among other functions, the system allows registrants to apply for USDOT numbers and operating authority, update company information and submit biennial updates.

Existing carriers can create a Motus company account and claim their existing USDOT Number. FMCSA says existing USDOT and docket numbers do not change simply because of the transition to the new system.

The agency says Motus is intended to streamline registration and add stronger identity verification and fraud-prevention tools.

FMCSA Cites Motus Transition and System Issues

FMCSA said the temporary suspension is intended to reduce disruption as the agency supports the transition to Motus.

The agency specifically refers to ongoing Motus recovery and stabilization efforts in its latest announcement.

Earlier guidance from FMCSA also told registrants they should not worry about USDOT number inactivation resulting from Motus-related access or system issues during the temporary suspension.

FMCSA has several resources available for companies experiencing problems.

Registrants can submit a support ticket for a Motus issue. FMCSA asks users not to create duplicate tickets for the same case.

The agency has also extended its Registration Customer Service Center hours. Phone and chat assistance is now available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern on weekdays, plus Saturdays.

Carriers Can Still Complete Biennial Updates

The temporary suspension does not prevent companies from maintaining their registration.

Motus allows registrants to submit a biennial update and make changes to company information. Existing registrants can also use the system to manage their registrations after claiming their company account.

FMCSA’s public Motus search can be used to check a registration record by USDOT Number, legal company name or doing-business-as name.

The agency is also providing registration alerts, instructional videos and job aids for companies moving into the new system.

What the USDOT Number Change Means for Carriers

The immediate effect is relatively straightforward for carriers with a biennial update due on or after June 1.

FMCSA is giving those registrants more time. Their USDOT Number should not be inactivated simply because the required biennial update has not been completed during the temporary suspension.

However, the announcement should not be interpreted as a general suspension of FMCSA registration requirements.

It also does not permanently eliminate biennial updates.

FMCSA has not provided a date for when normal enforcement will resume. The agency says additional guidance will be released as Motus recovery and stabilization continue.

For carriers dealing with registration problems, that makes future FMCSA updates important. Once the temporary period ends, the agency is expected to provide further instructions about completing outstanding updates and maintaining an active USDOT Number.