Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about the USDOT record problems carriers ask us about most.
What does it mean when my USDOT number is inactive?
Inactive means FMCSA does not currently treat your registration as active. Common causes include a missed biennial update from before the current enforcement pause, a requested inactivation, a revoked New Entrant registration, or out-of-date company details. The fix depends on the cause, so the first step is reading the record.
Is FMCSA still inactivating numbers for missed biennial updates?
Not right now. During the move to its Motus registration system, FMCSA has temporarily suspended enforcement of biennial updates and the inactivation of USDOT numbers for not completing one. FMCSA says it will give advance notice before enforcement resumes. The update requirement itself still exists.
Why do I need a photo ID to update my record?
Motus, FMCSA's registration system, requires identity verification. You sign in with Login.gov and confirm your identity using a valid government-issued photo ID and a photo of your face, taken with a phone, tablet or webcam. We cannot complete this step for you, but we can walk you through it.
What is the difference between out of service and inactive?
Inactive is a registration status. Out of service is an order from FMCSA that prohibits you from operating until it is lifted. An out-of-service order is more serious and has its own resolution steps tied to the reason it was issued.
My MC authority was revoked. Can it be reinstated?
Often, yes, especially when the revocation came from a lapsed insurance or process agent filing. Reinstatement generally requires the missing filings to be in place and a request submitted to FMCSA. Authority revoked long ago or for enforcement reasons may require a new application.
Why is my authority still pending?
Pending authority is usually waiting on insurance being filed, a BOC-3 process agent designation, verification steps in Motus, the public protest period, or FMCSA review. Checking which of these is missing is the quickest way to move it along.
Can I fix these problems myself?
Yes. You can update your record, file a biennial update, and request reactivation or reinstatement directly with FMCSA through Motus. Updates are free, and government fees apply only where FMCSA charges them. Some owners prefer help reading the record and preparing the filings, which is what we provide.
Are you part of FMCSA or the government?
No. DOT Number Help is a private filing-assistance service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting for FMCSA, USDOT or any government agency.
What should I send in the triage form?
Pick the problem that fits best, add your USDOT number if you have it, and describe what you are seeing in a sentence or two. Never send passwords, Login.gov codes, or full Social Security numbers through the form.
FMCSA's Motus transition: what it changes for you
FMCSA moved USDOT registration to its new Motus system in May 2026. Two changes matter if you are fixing a record right now. First, Motus requires identity verification: you sign in through Login.gov and confirm your identity with a valid government-issued photo ID and a photo of your face. Second, to reduce disruption during the transition, FMCSA has temporarily suspended enforcement of biennial updates and the inactivation of USDOT numbers for entities that have not completed the biennial update. That pause covers the biennial update only. It does not affect insurance, revocation or out-of-service problems, and FMCSA says it will give advance notice before enforcement resumes.
Source: FMCSA registration page, fmcsa.dot.gov/registration, and FMCSA's Motus first-login guide. Rules can change; check FMCSA for the current status.