FMCSA Motus Explained: What Changed for Freight Brokers in 2026
FMCSA moved registration to its new Motus system in 2026. Here’s what changed, what stayed the same, and how it affects looking up a broker.
Updated October 21, 2026 · 5 min read
What Motus is
Motus is FMCSA's new registration system for motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders. It replaces older, separate systems that handled registration, operating authority, and insurance filings, with the stated goals of simpler processes and better fraud prevention.
What changed in 2026
- New filings happen in Motus. Since the cutover in May 2026, new authority applications, status changes and insurance filings are processed in Motus.
- The legacy public datasets froze. FMCSA's older Licensing & Insurance (L&I) open-data files stopped receiving new activity as of May 14, 2026. FMCSA publishes a parallel set of Motus datasets that are updated daily.
- One docket per authority. Motus assigns a unique docket number to each operating authority, while the old system allowed several authorities under one number.
What stayed the same
- Existing MC/docket numbers remained in use at launch.
- Brokers still need active broker authority, a process agent (BOC-3) and $75,000 financial security (BMC-84 or BMC-85).
What it means when you look up a broker
If a tool only reads the legacy files, it can miss anything that happened after May 2026 — a new broker, a revoked authority, a reinstatement, or a new bond. Always check that the data you rely on includes Motus records, and look at the "last checked" date.
How truckload.broker handles it
We combine both sources: the legacy L&I records provide each broker's full history, and Motus records take priority wherever they exist. In our October 2026 data, 4,860 active brokers had records updated in Motus — including about 1,280 brokers that don't appear in the legacy files at all. Read more about our methodology and data sources.
Check a broker now
Look up any MC or USDOT number to see authority, bond, revocations and red flags.
Check an MC numberFrequently asked questions
Are MC numbers going away?
Not at launch. Existing MC/docket numbers stayed in use when Motus went live. FMCSA has signaled more reliance on USDOT numbers over time, so keep both numbers for any broker you work with.
Why does a broker’s record look different on different websites?
Some sites still read only the older Licensing & Insurance datasets, which stopped receiving updates in May 2026. Changes made in Motus after that won’t appear there.
Where can brokers update their information?
Registration changes are made with FMCSA in the Motus system. Our profiles update after our next data refresh.
Related guides
- How to Verify a Freight Broker (MC Number Check, Step by Step)
- BMC-84 vs BMC-85: Freight Broker Bonds and Trust Funds Explained
- Double Brokering: What It Is and How to Avoid It
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm a broker's status with FMCSA before doing business.