Home / New registration instead of claim
Motus claim mistakesWhat if you started a new Motus registration instead of claiming your USDOT number?
Motus has a claim step so existing companies do not get entered twice. If you chose "start a new registration" instead, stop before you file more in the new record.
This site is not affiliated with FMCSA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Login.gov, or any government agency. You can contact FMCSA directly and file yourself. Help from this site is optional and paid.
Rather not deal with this? Hand it to a compliance specialist.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistWhat "claim" is supposed to do
FMCSA's claim job aid and Move into Motus page say the company officer can set up a Motus company account by linking to and claiming the existing USDOT record. This imports your company data so you can review, update and certify it, instead of entering everything again.
Use the same Login.gov email as before
FMCSA says to claim a USDOT number with the same Login.gov email that the company's authorized person used in the old FMCSA Portal. If you are not sure which email that was, or the claim does not go through, contact FMCSA before you start a new registration. For Motus sign-in and claim help, see fmcsamotus.help.
Why this takes time: Login.gov sign-in and identity verification come first, and you may need to track down which email was used years ago.
If a new registration already created a second record
Stop filing in the new record. Look both numbers up on the SAFER Company Snapshot, then follow what to do if you applied twice and how to deactivate a duplicate. Do not keep using the new record just because it is the one you can open.
Why this takes time: you are now untangling two records instead of updating one.
Rather not deal with this? Hand it to a compliance specialist.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistIf you claimed the wrong USDOT number
We are not aware of a self-serve way to undo a claim. Contact FMCSA through its registration contact options. You can also request a record review if you want help sorting out what happened.
Why this takes time: as far as we know this goes through FMCSA's contact options, not a button in Motus.
That is a lot of forms and logins for one fix. Hand it to a compliance specialist.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistIf you have not submitted yet
If your company already has a USDOT number, claim that record. Starting a new registration is for companies that do not have one.
Common mistakes that cause delays or inactivation
- Signing in to Motus with a different Login.gov email than the one used in the old FMCSA Portal, then starting a new registration instead of claiming (FMCSA).
- Filing a new application after a rename or a stalled filing, instead of updating the existing record (MCS-150 instructions).
Rather not deal with this? Hand it to a compliance specialist.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistCommon questions
Which email should I use to claim my USDOT number?
FMCSA says to use the same Login.gov email that the company's authorized person used in the old FMCSA Portal. If that does not work, contact FMCSA rather than starting over.
If I already submitted a new registration, is the old number gone?
No. The old number still exists. Check SAFER.
Should I finish business verification on the new account so I can operate?
Not if that account is a second number for the same company. Sort out the duplicate first.
Can a transportation service provider claim my number without my say-so?
FMCSA says registrants designate a service provider, and the provider must accept before it can access a registrant's company account.
Where can I get help with Motus sign-in?
fmcsamotus.help covers Login.gov, identity verification and claiming. FMCSA's contact center is also available.
Still have questions about your record? Ask one of our Personal Compliance Specialists.
Consult with a Compliance SpecialistRelated guides
- Applied for a DOT number twice
- Deactivate a duplicate number
- Look up an existing USDOT number
- Can you have two DOT numbers?
- Motus sign-in and claim help (fmcsamotus.help)
You can sort this out yourself. Search the public record, including the SAFER company snapshot, and use FMCSA registration resources or Motus. Or request a record review and we will look at what appears on the public record.
Do it yourself
- Updating your USDOT information with FMCSA is free, according to FMCSA.
- You set up Login.gov and complete identity verification for Motus.
- You find the right forms, versions and supporting documents.
- You match names, numbers and addresses across the record, authority, insurance and BOC-3.
- You track the deadlines and follow up with FMCSA yourself.
Have a specialist handle it
- Our Personal Compliance Specialists review the public record and explain what they see.
- They help prepare the filings and gather the supporting documents.
- They help line up authority, insurance, BOC-3 and UCR with one number.
- Paid service. Government fees, where they apply, are separate.
- You still sign and certify, and FMCSA still decides.
Sources
Public pages checked on November 15, 2026. FMCSA can change its process at any time, so check the current page before you file.