FMCSA’s Motus Mess Continues: Legitimate Trucking Businesses Are Still Caught in the Crossfire

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

FMCSA’s Motus Mess Continues: Legitimate Trucking Businesses Are Still Caught in the Crossfire

The government wants to keep bad actors out of trucking. Fair enough. But what happens when the system designed to stop them also makes life harder for legitimate carriers trying to get their paperwork done?

If you've ever dealt with a computer system that seems determined to make a simple task complicated, you already understand the frustration surrounding Motus, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new registration system.

According to a recent FreightWaves report, FMCSA Deputy Administrator Jesse Elison addressed the problems again at the Broker Compliance Symposium in Chattanooga. He offered some encouragement, but there was one thing missing: a firm date for a complete repair.

And in trucking, uncertainty isn't just annoying. It can get in the way of business.

Motus is trying to stop bad actors, but legitimate companies are feeling the pain

Let's start with the reason behind the system. FMCSA wants to prevent unqualified carriers and other bad actors from entering the industry through the registration process. That's an important goal. The industry has plenty of reasons to support stronger safety standards and reliable carrier information.

But Elison acknowledged that the system's problems are affecting more people than the agency intended. In other words, the digital gatekeeper is keeping some of the wrong people out, but it's also giving legitimate businesses a hard time getting through.

Imagine showing up for work with the right license, the right paperwork, and the right equipment, only to be told the computer doesn't feel like cooperating today. You might be qualified to do the job, but the system still has the final say.

The takeaway: Protecting the industry matters, but a registration system also needs to work reliably for the people who are following the rules.

When will the Motus problems be fixed?

This is the question carriers want answered. Elison had previously suggested that FMCSA was weeks away from addressing the rollout problems. At the October 26 event, he again said the agency was looking at weeks rather than months, but he did not provide a firm date for a full repair.

He also acknowledged that the early weeks of Motus were especially difficult and that efforts to fix one problem had sometimes created another.

That's the frustrating part of a troubled technology rollout. The people responsible may be working hard behind the scenes, but the people trying to use the system need more than promises that progress is happening.

A realistic timeline, clear instructions, and dependable communication can make a big difference while repairs continue.

What should carriers do in the meantime?

Elison advised businesses that don't need to use Motus immediately to hold off for now. For those facing urgent registration needs, he recommended contacting their insurance representatives and reaching out directly to FMCSA if they encounter problems.

The agency has also waived certain registration requirements in response to the difficulties.

For carriers dealing with an immediate registration issue, the practical approach is to:

• Contact FMCSA: Report the specific problem and ask what steps are available for your situation.


• Talk to your insurance contacts: They may be able to help you navigate
  the process or identify the appropriate next step.


• Keep records: Save relevant correspondence, error messages, submission confirmations, and other documentation.


• Check official guidance: Requirements and temporary relief measures can change, so verify what applies to your situation before acting.

These steps aren't a magic fix, and they don't guarantee that a registration will be processed faster. But keeping good records and communicating with the right people can help you understand where things stand.

More trucking regulations may be on the way

Motus isn't the only issue on FMCSA's plate. Elison also discussed a forthcoming broker transparency rule, which is expected to address what brokers must disclose about their activities to shippers and carriers.

The final details were not yet known at the time of the report, so carriers should avoid assuming what the rule will require until the official language is available.

FMCSA is also looking at changes to its New Entrant Safety Assurance Process. One possibility under consideration is a proficiency examination to help determine whether new applicants understand the safety requirements that apply to their operations.

The agency is also looking at ways to establish more consistent standards across the industry, including questions surrounding how CDL schools demonstrate compliance with federal requirements.

For new carriers and people planning to enter trucking, these developments are worth watching. Understanding safety and compliance requirements before starting a business can help avoid costly surprises later.

The bigger question: Can enforcement and efficiency work together?

There's a legitimate argument for stricter oversight. Unsafe operators and fraudulent businesses can put the public at risk and create unfair competition for carriers that invest in compliance.

But there's another side to the issue. Legitimate carriers need registration systems that function properly, understandable requirements, and a reasonable way to resolve problems when technology fails.

Those goals shouldn't compete with each other. A strong system should make it harder for bad actors to operate while making the process more dependable for qualified businesses.

That is the standard FMCSA ultimately needs to meet.

The bottom line

FMCSA says Motus will eventually deliver a better registration experience, but the October 26 FreightWaves report offered no firm date for a complete repair. In the meantime, some legitimate businesses remain caught up in the system's problems.

The agency has work to do, and carriers need clear, practical guidance while that work continues. Stronger enforcement is important, but so is a system that works for the people trying to comply with the law.

Because trucking already has enough moving parts. Getting registered shouldn't feel like another full-time job.

Keep learning and planning ahead

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If this story affects your business, share your experience and let other carriers know what you've learned. And keep watching the official updates—because when registration rules change, being informed can save you time and headaches.

Source: FreightWaves — FMCSA's Elison addresses Motus again, still no date on full repair, October 26, 2026.