FMCSA Motus

Motus, USDOT’s new registration system for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) customers, is available to supporting companies to create user profiles and company accounts. Download the job aid for detailed instructions on how to complete these actions in the new system.

Motus is not an acronym. It is a Latin word that primarily means “movement” or “motion”. Launched in December 2025, Motus is designed to replace several aging legacy systems — including parts of the FMCSA Portal and the Unified Registration System (URS) — with a single, more secure, and user-friendly platform.

Key Features of Motus:

• Real-Time Validation: The system uses “smart logic” to catch errors as you type, reducing the chances of a form being rejected weeks later
• Consolidation: It brings together various filings (USDOT numbers, biennial updates, etc.) into one dashboard.
• Fraud Prevention: It uses advanced identity verification (via Login.gov and IDEMIA) and business address validation to stop fraudulent registrations.
• Mobile Friendly: Unlike the older systems, Motus is designed to work on tablets and smartphones.

Inspector Recognition

The inspector who noted the most UCR violations in January 2026 was Officer Luckey, Illinois Commerce Commission Police. Officer Luckey issued 68 violations. 

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Enforcement Subcommittee is pleased to recognize the inspector who issues the highest number of UCR violations each month. An annual award will be presented to the inspector with the most cumulative violations over the year. The mission of the UCR Enforcement Subcommittee is to increase UCR enforcement, standardize enforcement practices, support enforcement agencies, and provide education and training resources. For more information about the UCR Enforcement Subcommittee, please visit https://plan.ucr.gov/subcommittee-members/.

Policy Spotlight: The UCR Handbook

The UCR Handbook provides authoritative guidance both for the states that participate in UCR and for the businesses that are subject to its requirements. It covers the basic organization of the UCR program, what falls under the authority of participating states, the types of business subject to UCR requirements, and the UCR registration process. It also details how UCR requirements may affect certain specific types of operation and how a motor carrier should determine the size of its fleet for UCR purposes.

View the complete UCR Handbook in this document.

View this and all of the policies and procedures adopted by the UCR Board of Directors in the Document Library.

Education for Compliance Training Spotlight: State Auditor Training

The UCR State Auditor Training provides an overview of the Unified Carrier Registration Plan, including who needs to register and how to do so, and multiple guides for state employees on administrative tasks such as tracking registrations, refunding payments, and conducting audits.

View this training and further educational resources to support training for stakeholders in motor carrier regulation in the UCR Plan Educational Resources for Compliance Training.

International to Lay Off 300 Staff Due to Weak Truck Demand

International Motors will lay off 300 employees as truck orders and purchases remained underwhelming as the first quarter of 2026 began, the Traton Group unit confirmed to Transport Topics. Lisle, Ill.-based International will trim 300 corporate positions. No production plant staff will depart, a spokesperson said.

Source: “International to Lay Off 300 Staff Due to Weak Truck Demand,” Feb 4, 2026. https://www.ttnews.com/

Spot rates soar as expected due to winter storm

Last week’s broad swath of severe winter weather fully delivered the expected boost to the spot market and perhaps then some.
“Total broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system rose during the week ending Jan. 30 by the most in a single week since the end of 2023,” FTR said. “The 45-cent surge in refrigerated spot rates is the largest on record, at least back to 2008. The 20-cent jump in dry van spot rates is the third largest on record. Flatbed spot rates rose for the 10th time in 11 weeks.”

Source: “Spot rates soar as expected due to winter storm,” Feb 3, 2026. https://www.thetrucker.com/

Truck Parking to Officially Receive $200M as Shutdown Ends

Access to truck parking for the nation’s commercial drivers will increase because of recent legislation Congress and President Donald Trump approved Feb. 3. As part of fiscal 2026 funding legislation Trump signed late Feb. 3, ending the partial government shutdown, truck parking projects will receive $200 million. The Federal Highway Administration will be tasked with managing the additional funds, which are meant to improve safety and enhance efficiency along freight and commuter corridors.

Source: “Truck Parking to Officially Receive $200M as Shutdown Ends,” Feb 3, 2026. https://www.ttnews.com/