Updated: September 2026
MOTUS is FMCSA's current system for motor carrier registration, operating authority, and federal insurance filing information.
For agents reviewing a motor carrier's record, it is important to understand that operating authority and federal insurance filings are separate records. Cover Whale can submit applicable insurance filings to FMCSA, but we do not control the motor carrier's operating authority or the information displayed within MOTUS.
Important: MOTUS is owned and maintained by FMCSA. The guidance below is based on Cover Whale's experience working with MOTUS and assisting agents with federal insurance filings. It is intended as a general resource and should not be interpreted as official FMCSA guidance regarding the operation or interpretation of MOTUS.
MOTUS is an evolving federal system. Its functionality, terminology, and display of information may change as FMCSA continues to update and maintain the platform. Questions regarding MOTUS functionality, operating authority, registration information, or information that appears incorrect within MOTUS should be directed to FMCSA.
What can Cover Whale update in MOTUS?
Cover Whale's access to MOTUS is limited to the functions available to us as a financial responsibility filer.
For applicable Cover Whale policies, we can submit insurance filing records to FMCSA, including:
BMC-91X: Evidence of the applicable insurance coverage.
BMC-35: Notice of cancellation of a previously submitted BMC-91X filing.
When we submit one of these records, we are providing the electronic filing to FMCSA. We are not directly editing the motor carrier's MOTUS record, operating authority, registration status, or the MOTUS website.
FMCSA receives and maintains those records electronically, and its system controls how the information is processed and displayed within MOTUS.
Where can I find the 91X filing in MOTUS?
Navigate to https://motus.dot.gov/public/search, search by DOT. Locate "OPERATING AUTHORITY REGISTRATION(S)", and select the appropriate hyperlink under "Operating Authority Type". If this is not available, the motor carrier does not have their operating authority set up, and should contact FMCSA for further support.
When reviewing a motor carrier's filing status, look specifically for the insurance filing rather than relying only on the operating authority status displayed elsewhere in MOTUS.
If the applicable BMC-91X is shown as active, the insurance filing is on record with FMCSA. There have been known cases of MOTUS marking the status as "Replaced" or "Pending" incorrectly compared to the "Received Date" history. These cases are MOTUS UI issues, and FMCSA should be contacted for support.
What is the difference between an active 91X and active operating authority?
A BMC-91X filing is proof of financial responsibility submitted by an insurance carrier to FMCSA.
Operating authority is administered by FMCSA and determines whether a motor carrier is authorized to conduct the applicable federally regulated operations.
Although an insurance filing may be required to obtain or maintain operating authority, the two records are not interchangeable.
For example, a motor carrier may have:
- An active Cover Whale policy;
- An active 91X filing from Cover Whale; and
- An operating authority status that is not active.
An active 91X confirms that the applicable insurance filing is on record. It does not mean that Cover Whale has activated or reinstated the motor carrier's operating authority.
Why does the authority show inactive if the 91X is active?
An active 91X is only one component of the motor carrier's FMCSA record. There may be other registration or operating authority requirements affecting the motor carrier's status.
Cover Whale cannot determine, modify, reinstate, or override an operating authority status. Our ability is limited to submitting the applicable insurance filing information to FMCSA.
If the BMC-91X is active but the motor carrier's authority is not, the motor carrier should contact FMCSA to determine the reason for the authority status and any action required to resolve it.
Similarly, if MOTUS appears to contain incorrect registration information, unexpected statuses, display issues, or other information unrelated to the insurance filing itself, those concerns must be addressed with FMCSA.
Contact FMCSA: Contact FMCSA
Does reinstating or binding a Cover Whale policy automatically restore an inactive operating authority?
No. A policy reinstatement, federal insurance filing, and FMCSA operating authority are separate records and processes.
If coverage is reinstated and a federal filing requires restoration, Cover Whale may submit the appropriate insurance filing information to FMCSA. However, we cannot change or guarantee the resulting operating authority status.
This also applies when insurance coverage is reinstated without a lapse. A no-lapse insurance reinstatement does not necessarily mean that FMCSA will remove or reverse a previous change to the motor carrier's authority record.
Any change to operating authority or its history is determined by FMCSA.
Should I reference the legacy Licensing & Insurance (L&I) system?
For current filing activity, no.
As of May 14, 2026, the legacy L&I system is available only for historical motor carrier records, and filings submitted through MOTUS are not reflected there.
For current federal filing and motor carrier information, agents should refer to MOTUS.
Because the legacy system is historical, information displayed there may be outdated and should not be used to determine whether a current Cover Whale 91X filing is active.
Who should I contact about information in MOTUS?
Contact Cover Whale for questions about records we are responsible for submitting, including:
- Whether Cover Whale submitted a BMC-91X filing
- Whether Cover Whale submitted a BMC-35 cancellation
- The effective date or status of a Cover Whale insurance filing
- A federal filing request submitted to Cover Whale
The motor carrier should contact FMCSA for questions about FMCSA or MOTUS, including:
- Inactive, suspended, revoked, pending, or other operating authority statuses
- Reinstating or modifying operating authority
- USDOT or registration information
- Information in MOTUS that appears incorrect
- Unexpected MOTUS statuses, labels, or display behavior
- Technical problems with the MOTUS website
- How FMCSA processed or displayed a filing after it was submitted
Cover Whale can confirm the insurance records we submitted to FMCSA. FMCSA is responsible for MOTUS, including how records are processed and displayed, and for determining and maintaining federal registration and operating authority information.
Tips to help avoid delays with a new 91X filing
New federal filing requests are reviewed by Cover Whale by the end of the following business day.
This is a review timeframe, not a guaranteed filing issuance timeframe. If our review identifies discrepancies between the policy and the motor carrier's federal records, or if an FMCSA/MOTUS system issue prevents submission, additional information or review may be required before the filing can be completed.
Before binding coverage
To help provide a smooth filing experience, agents should verify that the following information is accurate and consistent between the Cover Whale application and the motor carrier's federal records:
- Insured/legal business name
- Business address
- Cargo
- Operations
Differences may require additional review, particularly when the information reported to FMCSA affects the motor carrier's federal insurance requirements.
Agents should also consider the filing review timeframe when selecting an effective date. If continuous operating authority is important to the motor carrier, replacement coverage should be obtained proactively and with sufficient time for the required filing to be reviewed and submitted.
Binding an insurance policy does not itself update FMCSA records, activate operating authority, or cause a 91X to immediately appear in MOTUS.
Additional filings resources: