Motus Problems We Have Run Into, and What to Have Ready Before You Start

Reviewed by Austin Park, founder of ICR Filings · Updated November 10, 2026

The short answer

Do Motus on a computer, or switch your phone browser to the desktop site. Some options do not show on a phone screen.
Keep your phone with you. Login.gov sends a code to the account owner's phone every time someone signs in.
Several screens are sworn statements, and changing your record mid-filing can hold it for review. Know your answers before you start.
A new BOC-3 does not reinstate a suspended authority. That is a separate request.

FMCSA moved registration into Motus in May 2026. FMCSA's own guides cover the basics, like creating a Login.gov account and claiming your USDOT number (see the Motus setup guide). This page covers what has slowed down real filings since launch, and what a carrier can have ready so the filing goes through the first time.

What to have ready before anyone touches Motus

Your phone. Login.gov sends a code to the account owner's phone every time someone signs in.
A computer, or a phone browser switched to the desktop site.
The email you used with FMCSA before. If you had an FMCSA Portal account, use the same email for Login.gov, or claiming your USDOT number can fail.
A government ID that is not damaged, for the identity check.
Your EIN letter (IRS CP 575 or 147C) and your state formation papers, in case Motus asks for proof of something on your record. If you lost the letter, here is how to get a 147C from the IRS.
Your BOC-3 company and insurance agent names and phone numbers.
A straight answer on related companies. Any company you have owned, managed, or been related to in the last three years that is registered with FMCSA.

Problems we have run into

1. The option you need is not on the phone screen

On a phone, the company page we saw showed only the record sections: Business Information, Company Officials, Biennial Update, Operation Details, Operating Authority, and Applications. Options outside those, such as adding a service provider, did not show. Switching the browser to the desktop site (three dots in Chrome, aA in Safari) or using a computer fixed it.

2. The identity check keeps failing

The identity step scans your ID and takes a selfie. What helps: your name exactly as it is on the ID, bright even light, an undamaged ID, and a strong connection. A phone or tablet camera tends to work better than a webcam. FMCSA allows repeated attempts, and if it keeps failing, FMCSA's contact center (1-800-832-5660) can refer you to an in-person option.

3. Sworn screens and record changes

Filings like a reinstatement walk you through several sworn statements about your company, including whether you are related to other FMCSA-registered companies. Changing anything on your record along the way can hold the filing for review. Know your answers before you start; this is where having someone experienced on the call saves time.

4. Payment and confirmation

Fees like the $80 reinstatement are paid through Pay.gov, and it does not always confirm right away. Keep your receipt, and do not pay a second time without checking your account first.

5. A new BOC-3 does not reinstate you

After a BOC-3 suspension, the authority stayed inactive after the new BOC-3 posted. It came back only after the reinstatement request was filed in Motus. Plan for both steps. More in why a BOC-3 gets cancelled.

6. Accepted does not always mean done

We have seen filings show Accepted in Motus while the public record stayed the same. If nothing has changed after a few business days, call FMCSA (1-800-832-5660) before filing the same thing again. Check the L&I record for your MC number, and do not haul until your authority shows active there.

If a service is filing for you

Stay reachable by phone during the filing, for the Login.gov code and any question Motus asks you to answer.
Answer the business information, affiliations, and certification questions yourself. They are sworn statements about your company.
Never send ID photos or your Login.gov recovery codes by email.
Keep the confirmation and the Pay.gov receipt.

New to Motus? Start with what Motus is and Motus login help. Setting it up for the first time? Follow our Motus setup guide.

Common questions

Why can't I find an option in Motus on my phone?

On a phone, the company page we have seen shows only the record sections (Business Information, Company Officials, Biennial Update, Operation Details, Operating Authority, Applications). Switch the browser to the desktop site (the three-dot menu in Chrome, aA in Safari) or use a computer.

What should I have ready before a Motus filing?

Your phone for the Login.gov code, a computer, the email you used with FMCSA before, an undamaged government ID, your EIN letter and formation papers, your BOC-3 company and insurance agent contacts, and a clear answer on any related companies in the last three years.

My filing was accepted but my record has not changed. What now?

Give it a few business days, then call FMCSA at 1-800-832-5660 with your USDOT number before filing the same thing again.

Can a filing service do all of this for me?

Most of it, but not the identity steps. Login.gov and Motus verify you personally, and the code goes to your phone, so plan to be reachable while your filing is done.

Official sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you file.

Related guides

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