Is MOTUS Replacing the FMCSA Portal?
Many carriers are asking the same question: Is MOTUS replacing the FMCSA Portal? The answer is yes, but with important context. MOTUS is FMCSA’s new USDOT Registration System. It is part of FMCSA’s broader registration modernization effort and is intended to replace outdated registration tools, including registration functions that were previously handled through legacy systems […]
I Need to Close My DOT Number. What Paperwork Is Required?
Closing a DOT number should be handled carefully. Many carriers think that if they sold their truck, stopped hauling freight, paused operations, or closed the business, the DOT number automatically stops being active. That is not always the case. If a USDOT number remains active in FMCSA records, the company may still appear as an […]
How to File an MCS-150 Update Online Without Delaying Your DOT Record
Filing an MCS-150 update online should be a simple task. For many carriers, it is not. An MCS-150 update can involve more than entering a few fields into a federal system. The carrier may need to confirm USDOT status, MOTUS access, Company Official information, Login.gov credentials, authorized users, legal business name, address, mileage, power units, […]
My ELD Was Removed From the FMCSA List. What Should I Do?
If your electronic logging device was removed from FMCSA’s registered ELD list, the issue should be handled immediately. An ELD removal is not just a vendor problem. It can become a roadside inspection problem, hours-of-service problem, DOT compliance problem, dispatch problem, safety record problem, and business continuity problem. FMCSA has continued removing electronic logging devices […]
My Driver Failed a Drug Test. What Should the Employer Do?
A failed DOT drug test is one of the most serious compliance events a CDL employer can face. For motor carriers, private fleets, construction companies, utility fleets, owner-operators, and other employers of CDL drivers, the response needs to be immediate, documented, and consistent with DOT and FMCSA requirements. This is not a situation to handle […]
DOT & FMCSA Remaining Deadlines: 2027 Refresher
As commercial motor carriers prepare for 2027, several important DOT, FMCSA, tax, registration, and enforcement dates remain on the 2026 calendar. Some apply broadly to interstate operators. Others depend on a carrier’s USDOT number, equipment, vehicle-use dates, base jurisdiction, or driver roster. Missing an applicable deadline may lead to penalties, registration problems, roadside violations, or […]
Texas Jury Awards $49 Million Against OPG Logistics: What Small Carriers Should Learn From the Latest Nuclear Verdict
A Texas jury just handed down a nearly $50 million verdict against a trucking company many operators have never heard of. That is exactly why the case matters. In May 2026, an Ector County, Texas jury awarded $49 million to the family of Steffan Robert Mick, a 29-year-old husband and father of two who was […]
Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC
The Supreme Court’s decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC is now one of the most important freight broker liability developments in recent trucking litigation. On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that state-law negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers are not automatically preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act, commonly […]
FMCSA Removes More ELDs From the Registered List: What Carriers Need to Know
FMCSA’s recent removal of multiple electronic logging devices from its registered ELD list is another reminder that compliance does not stop when a carrier buys a device. On May 20, 2026, FMCSA removed 12 ELDs from its registered list after determining the devices failed to meet the minimum federal requirements in 49 CFR Appendix A […]
Top 25 Trucking Compliance Questions Answered by FMCSA.com
1. Do I need a USDOT number? Many commercial vehicle operators need a USDOT number depending on vehicle type, weight, cargo, passenger status, and interstate or intrastate activity. The determination should be reviewed before operating. 2. Is a DOT number the same as MC authority? No. A DOT number identifies the business for safety registration […]