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Independent Guide: How to Claim an Existing USDOT Number in Motus

This site is not affiliated with FMCSA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Login.gov, or any government agency. It is an independent help site. The official Motus system is motus.dot.gov.

If your company already has a USDOT number, you link to it in Motus instead of starting over. Here is how the claim works and the mistake that creates a second number.

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Last reviewed November 15, 2026, against FMCSA's public pages.

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Who this is for

Companies that already have a USDOT number and are setting up a Motus company account for the first time. If you have never had a USDOT number, see applying for a new USDOT number instead. If you are not sure whether you need one, howtogetadotnumber.com has a plain-English explainer.

Why claiming matters

FMCSA says the company official can set up a Motus company account by linking to and claiming the existing record. Claiming imports your company data, lets you verify your business information, and saves you from entering everything again. It also keeps you on the number you already have. FMCSA says existing registrants keep their current USDOT number.

The steps, in the order FMCSA's job aid uses

  1. Sign in at motus.dot.gov with the same Login.gov email you used as the company official in the old FMCSA Portal.Why it takes time: You may have to track down which email the company official used in the old Portal.
  2. Finish identity verification and your user profile, if you have not already.Why it takes time: The ID check needs your ID and a phone camera, and only you can do it.
  3. When Motus tells you USDOT numbers are associated with your account, choose to link and claim.Why it takes time: If no numbers show up, the email is often the problem and you start again with the right one.
  4. Select the USDOT number that belongs to your company.Why it takes time: If more than one number appears, you have to work out which belongs to your company.

Steps 1 to 4 get you connected to the record. Steps 5 to 8 are certifying and checking it. Want a specialist to prepare that part?

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  1. Enter the verification code when Motus asks for it.Why it takes time: You need the code on hand when Motus asks for it.
  2. Accept the first certification. The claim job aid describes the certifying person as the owner, an official partner, or an authorized corporate officer.Why it takes time: Only the right person can certify, so the owner or officer has to be available.
  3. Review your business information and update anything that is out of date.Why it takes time: Imported data can be out of date, so every field needs checking.
  4. Complete the final certification.Why it takes time: This certification covers everything you entered, so it is worth a second look first.

Rather not work through every step yourself? A Personal Compliance Specialist can prepare and file the parts that can be handed off.

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Screens and button names can change. Check FMCSA's claim job aid for the current version before you start.

What not to click

Do not choose to start a new registration when your company already has a USDOT number. That path is for companies that have never registered, and using it can leave you with two numbers for one company. If Motus does not show your number, stop and read if you cannot claim your USDOT number. If you think a second number already exists, duplicatedot.com explains how duplicate records happen.

You can do this yourself at no FMCSA charge

FMCSA's claim materials do not list a fee for claiming an existing number, and there is no charge to get a USDOT number. Paid help is optional. If you want a person to walk through it with you, see get help with your filing.

Do it yourself, or hand it off

Do it yourself in Motus

  • No FMCSA charge for a USDOT number or for updates. Government fees still apply to things like operating authority.
  • You handle every screen, form and certification.
  • You track recurring deadlines, such as the biennial update, yourself.

Have a Personal Compliance Specialist handle it

  • A paid, optional service. The fee is quoted before work starts and is separate from government fees.
  • Once you designate them in Motus as a service provider, they can prepare filings and do data entry for you.
  • You still complete your own identity check and the final certification. No one can speed up FMCSA's review.

Related guides

Where this information comes from

We write these guides from FMCSA's public pages and update them when FMCSA changes its guidance. Check the source before you act:

Questions people ask

Who can claim the USDOT number?

FMCSA says the company official claims it, using the same Login.gov email used as the company official in the FMCSA Portal. The claim job aid describes the certifying person as the owner, an official partner, or an authorized corporate officer.

Is there a fee to claim a number?

FMCSA's claim materials do not list a fee for claiming an existing USDOT number.

What if Motus lists more than one USDOT number?

Pick the number that belongs to the legal entity you plan to manage. If two numbers look like duplicates of the same company, stop and sort out the records before you claim either one.

Do I still have to review the data after claiming?

Yes. FMCSA says to review, update if needed, and certify the record after you claim it.

What if no number appears to claim?

The most common reason FMCSA points to is signing in with a different email than the one the company official used in the FMCSA Portal. See the guide on what to check if you cannot claim your number.

Rather not work through every step yourself? A Personal Compliance Specialist can prepare and file the parts that can be handed off.

Consult with a Compliance Specialist
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