The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has fully implemented its new registration system, Motus, which the agency claims will reduce the ability of chameleon carriers to obtain FMCSA operating authority by using fraudulent credentials. FMCSA estimates that there are currently several thousand suspicious registration numbers tied to fraudulent carriers.

FMCSA states it intends to use biometrics and modern data analytics to verify the identity of applicants for motor carrier authority and that the businesses they represent are legitimate, legal entities. Motus will employ government-issued IDs and digital facial scans to verify applicant identity.

The platform also combines several legacy registration systems within FMCSA into a single integrated system with enhanced security features. FMCSA says this is intended to allow applicants and registrants to complete registration activities through a simplified online process, including updating Form MCS-150 filings, in a manner designed to reduce confusion, improve transparency, and shorten processing times.

Motor carriers looking to register will need a login.gov account prior to accessing Motus. If they already had access to the FMCSA Portal via login.gov, they must use the same account to have all their data available to them.