New tool goes live today: will leverage biometrics and data analytics to ensure only qualified drivers are approved
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator (FMCSA) Derek D. Barrs today announced the rollout of a new registration system for truck drivers, school bus operators, and other motor carriers. This state-of-the-art tool – called Motus: the U.S. DOT Registration System – replaces a decades-old network of loosely connected applications rife with fraud, waste, and abuse.
Previously, bad actors applying for a federal trucking registration number could easily hide their identity, game the system, and endanger American families on the road. It’s estimated that there are several thousand suspicious registration numbers tied to fraudulent carriers.
With Motus in place, the Department will now use biometrics and modern data analytics to verify that those who apply for these numbers are:
- Who they say they are
- The businesses they represent are legitimate, legal entities.
“Dangerous foreign drivers and the shell companies who employ them have been taking advantage of this lax, decrepit federal registration system for years. The lack of accountability is disturbing, and it’s killed American families on our roads,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Thanks to President Trump, we are delivering a new registration system that will stop fraud dead in its tracks and strengthen oversight on shady carriers. And for good, honest drivers who follow the rules – our new system will improve customer service, enhance reliability, and cut down on red tape. Today marks another important milestone in our crusade to make America’s roads safer, and it reflects the Trump Administration’s commitment to cracking down on fraud wherever it hides.”
“FMCSA’s registration modernization effort represents a major advancement in how the agency oversees and supports the commercial motor vehicle industry,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs. “This system improves efficiency for legitimate carriers while strengthening FMCSA’s ability to detect fraud, improve data quality, and identify unsafe operators.”