How to Verify a Moving Company’s License in 2026 — The New FMCSA Motus System
Direct Relocation Services is a licensed direct CARRIER — not a broker — operating under USDOT #3000931 with Broker Authority: NONE. We have been handling long distance moves from Florida and Georgia since 2015 — over 11 years of proven experience. We are BBB A-Rated and Accredited with 580+ verified reviews. Planning a long distance move? Call us at 855.378.3110 for your FREE quote today.
If you have ever tried to verify a moving company’s license online you may have used the FMCSA’s old SAFER system at motus.dot.gov. In 2026 everything changed. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration launched a brand new carrier verification and registration system called Motus — and the old SAFER system is being phased out entirely.
Here is everything you need to know about verifying a moving company’s license in 2026 using the new FMCSA Motus system — and why it matters more than ever before you trust any moving company with your belongings.
What Is FMCSA Motus?
Motus is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new unified registration and verification system. It launched on May 14, 2026 and replaces the decades-old Unified Registration System and several other legacy FMCSA platforms including the old SAFER carrier search tool.
The name Motus comes from the Latin word for movement, motion, and progress — fitting for a system designed to modernize how the federal government tracks, registers, and verifies the trucking and moving industry.
Motus consolidates everything into one secure dashboard:
- USDOT number registration and management
- Operating authority applications
- Biennial update filings
- Carrier verification and public lookup
- Insurance and bond filings
- Identity verification and fraud prevention
The old motus.dot.gov website is being retired. Going forward all moving company verification should be done at motus.dot.gov.
Why Should You Verify a Moving Company Before Booking?
The moving industry has one of the highest rates of consumer fraud of any service industry in the United States. The most common scams involve:
Moving brokers pretending to be carriers. A broker collects your deposit and sells your move to the cheapest carrier they can find — often without telling you. The company that shows up at your door is not the company you hired. The price changes dramatically after your belongings are loaded and you have no leverage.
Unlicensed movers. Companies operating without a valid USDOT number or operating authority have no legal accountability for your belongings. If something is damaged or stolen you have virtually no recourse.
Chameleon carriers. Companies with poor safety records or revoked authority that shut down and reopen under a new name to escape their history. The FMCSA Motus system was specifically designed with enhanced identity verification to combat this type of fraud.
Fake reviews and misleading websites. Any moving company can build a professional website and buy fake reviews. A verified FMCSA license is the only objective proof that a moving company is legally authorized to operate.
How to Verify a Moving Company’s License Using FMCSA Motus in 2026
Verifying any moving company’s license takes less than 60 seconds. Here is exactly how to do it:
Step 1 — Go to motus.dot.gov
Open your browser and go to https://motus.dot.gov. This is the official FMCSA Motus system — the only place to verify current carrier status in 2026.
Step 2 — Search by USDOT number or company name
Every legitimate moving company has a USDOT number. Ask any moving company for their USDOT number before booking — if they cannot provide it immediately that is a serious red flag.
Enter the USDOT number or company name in the search field and click Search.
Step 3 — Review the results
Look for these specific fields in the search results:
Entity Type: Should say CARRIER — not Broker or Freight Forwarder. A carrier owns trucks and employs crews. A broker sells your move to someone else.
Operating Authority Status: Should say ACTIVE. If it says Revoked, Suspended, or Not Authorized the company cannot legally transport your household goods.
Broker Authority: Should say NONE for a legitimate direct carrier. If it shows Broker Authority: Active the company is a broker — even if they claim to be a carrier.
Insurance on File: Should show active insurance coverage. No insurance means no protection for your belongings.
Out of Service Rate: Compare the company’s out of service rate to the national average. A significantly higher rate indicates safety concerns.
Step 4 — Verify the information matches
Make sure the company name, address, and contact information in Motus matches exactly what the company told you. Discrepancies are a red flag.
What to Do If a Company Fails Verification
If a moving company cannot pass a basic FMCSA Motus verification — do not book with them under any circumstances.
Specifically do not book if:
- They cannot provide a USDOT number
- Their operating authority is not Active
- Their entity type shows Broker when they claimed to be a carrier
- Their company information does not match what they told you
- They pressure you not to verify or discourage you from checking
The FMCSA receives thousands of consumer complaints about moving companies every year. The overwhelming majority involve brokers misrepresenting themselves as carriers or companies operating without valid authority.
How to Verify Direct Relocation Services
We encourage every customer to verify Direct Relocation Services before booking a single dollar. Here is what you will find:
Go to https://motus.dot.gov and search: USDOT #3000931
You will find:
- Entity Type: CARRIER ✅
- Operating Authority: ACTIVE ✅
- Broker Authority: NONE ✅
- Insurance on File: ACTIVE ✅
- Company: Direct Relocation Services
- Address: 4901 NW 17th Way Suite 605, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
A company with nothing to hide has nothing to fear from verification. We welcome it — and we believe every American planning a long distance move should demand it from every moving company they consider.
Three Questions to Ask Every Moving Company Before Booking
Beyond FMCSA Motus verification here are three questions every moving customer should ask:
1. Are you a licensed direct carrier or a broker?
Verify the answer yourself at motus.dot.gov. Do not take their word for it.
2. How long have you been operating under this specific USDOT number?
A company with less than 3 years of operating history under their current USDOT number is a significant risk. The moving industry has a high failure rate and new companies are responsible for the majority of consumer complaints.
3. Can I pay my deposit with a credit card?
Legitimate carriers accept credit cards for deposits. A company that insists on Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or wire transfer for the deposit is removing your fraud protection before your move even begins.
About Direct Relocation Services
Direct Relocation Services is a licensed direct interstate carrier operating under USDOT #3000931 and MC #24036, headquartered at 4901 NW 17th Way Suite 605, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309. Founded in 2015 by Justin Perez and Diego Asorey, the company has over 11 years of experience handling long distance relocations from Florida and Georgia to all 48 contiguous states. Direct Relocation Services is BBB A-Rated and Accredited with 580+ verified reviews across Google, Trustpilot, BBB, and ConsumerAffairs. Proud partner of Move For Hunger.
Verify us at motus.dot.gov — USDOT #3000931. Entity Type: CARRIER. Broker Authority: NONE.
Call 855.378.3110 or visit directrelocationservices.com for your FREE binding estimate today.
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