June 2026

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION - FMCSA

Motus is now accessible, and all carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders are required to establish an FMCSA Motus account by setting up a secure user profile and claiming their USDOT number. This platform provides a centralized system aimed at simplifying commercial motor vehicle registration, operating authority, and company management. The steps below detail the process.

1. Contact our office for registration assistance.

2. We will assist with creating your Account

Motus requires a Login.gov account for secure sign-in and two-factor authentication, which the company owner sets up.

3. Verify Your Identity

Before accessing the Motus system, you, as the owner of the company, must complete identity verification.

4. Navigate to Motus

Once the identity is verified, we can access the system by logging in at the MOTUS Registration portal.

5. Link Your Company Account

As a Company Official, we will be prompted to claim your existing USDOT number.

6. Link our company as a service provider

In 2026, DOT safety audits for trucking come with significant financial penalties, with fines ranging from $1,000 to over $16,000 per violation for serious offenses such as tampering with ELDs or knowingly dispatching drivers who tested positive for drugs and alcohol. Neglecting to uphold fundamental safety programs results in increased enforcement measures, higher insurance costs, and Out-of-Service (OOS) orders. 

Maximum Civil Penalties

FMCSA auditors impose penalties as specified under 49 USC, which vary based on severity and intent. Among the most severe fines are:

Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Violations: Permitting a driver who tested positive to drive or neglecting to conduct pre-employment checks can result in fines of up to $16,000 for each infraction. 

• Record of Duty Status (RODS) / ELD Tampering: Willful falsification, disabling, or tampering with an Electronic Logging Device carries penalties up to $16,000 per offense.

  
  

• Hours of Service (HOS): General infractions related to HOS typically average about $2,867, though repeated or severe violations may lead to the statutory maximum penalty.

  
  

  Maintenance & Vehicle Violations: Driving a vehicle that has been marked out of service (OOS) typically leads to fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, in addition to significant downtime and towing expenses. 

Audit Triggers & Scope

• New Entrant Audits: New carriers must undergo a compulsory audit during their initial 12 months of operation.

• Targeted Interventions: Routine audits are triggered by poor CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores or high BASIC percentiles in areas like Vehicle Maintenance or Driver Fitness. 

  
  

• Audit Lookback: Auditors typically review the past six months of operations, assessing driver qualification files, maintenance/DVIR records, and drug/alcohol testing compliance. 

How to Avoid Fines and Audits

To maintain a "Satisfactory" rating and avoid costly civil penalties, carriers must stay vigilant on core compliance areas: 

1. Driver Qualification (DQ): Maintain complete, updated DQ files (CDL, Medical Certifications, MVRs, and road tests) for all active drivers. 

   
   

2. Drug & Alcohol Compliance: Ensure all drivers are in a random testing pool and complete annual Clearinghouse queries. 

   
   

3. Vehicle Maintenance: Keep a tight schedule on DVIR retention (minimum 3 months), fix defects before dispatch, and ensure annual inspections are completely documented.

The medical examiner will electronically send driver's medical certificates to the state that issued the driver's CDL. Carriers no longer need to verify medical examiners on the National Registry. Only driving records (MVRs) will be needed to confirm a driver's certification. Carriers must acquire the driver's MVR after the medical exam to ensure the medical certificate is included on the MVR; otherwise, the driver will not be qualified to drive. Non-CDL drivers are still required to carry paper medical cards.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - USDOT

Companies that transport motor vehicles or equipment with oil and/or fuel must be reclassified as hazardous material carriers with the USDOT. These carriers need to raise their minimum insurance to $1,000,000, and for-hire carriers must submit this insurance level to the FMCSA. Motor vehicles contain gas, oil, fluids, and antifreeze, which are classified as hazardous by the federal government. This reclassification does not require a CDL hazmat endorsement for the driver. For further information, please contact our office.

All carriers are required to submit the Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) every two years. The USDOT distributes the forms according to this rule: if the second-to-last digit of a carrier's USDOT number is odd, the form should be submitted in odd-numbered years. The last digit indicates the month of submission, with filings due within the first 10 months of the year, where 1 corresponds to January and 0 to October. For instance, a carrier with a USDOT number ending in 10 must file their report by October 31, 2026. Carriers in states that participate in the PRISM program must update their USDOT information annually. To maintain accurate monthly CSA scores, CSA information must be up to date. The MCS-150 should be revised for any changes in the number of drivers or trucks, and it is advisable to update it annually. Please send us your USDOT update letter when you receive it, if you would like us to manage the filing.

The federal hazmat registration fee for transporting hazardous materials will remain the same for the 2026-2027 period, starting July 1st for all carriers, brokers, and producers. The registration fee is $275 for each type of registration for "small" businesses. Businesses classified as "large" will pay $2,600. "Small" long-haul carriers, as defined by the SBA (Small Business Administration), are those with annual revenues under $30 million (NAICS Codes 484110 to 484230). All companies must provide their North American Industry Classification System code that represents their primary business activity. Companies involved in transporting hazardous freight, arranging transportation as freight brokers, or shipping hazardous freight requiring placarding must register. Contact our office to apply for or renew your federal hazmat license. Renewal and new registration forms are no longer being mailed.

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE - IRS

The IRS has ceased mailing HVUT (Form 2290) Heavy Vehicle Use Tax forms to taxpayers. This change is due to the rising popularity of electronic filing and the need to reduce expenses. Carriers should be aware that they must still file, despite not receiving the form by mail.

The owner of any vehicle purchased during the year must pay the HVUT for the remaining portion of the tax year ending on June 30th. A stamped copy of the tax return from the previous owner can no longer serve as proof of payment. Each vehicle owner is responsible for their own tax payment. If a unit is sold, the previous owner can request a credit for the unused tax portion, which can be applied to a new vehicle, or they can apply for a refund after the tax year concludes. The tax return for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, must be filed and paid by August 31, 2026. All HVUT 2290 returns are being filed electronically.

OHIO

Carriers with Ohio Intrastate Authority may be required to renew their authority annually, depending on their UCR filing. Ohio still grants intrastate authority and requires that the necessary insurance be kept on file. The authority expires every year on June 30th, with a grace period lasting until July 15th.

PUCO Tax Receipts are issued for all vehicles operating within the state, regardless of the vehicle type, number of axles, or weight. The fee for PUCO Tax Receipts is $30 for tractors, buses, and tow trucks, and $20 for two-axle vehicles, straight trucks, cars, vans, or pickups. Carriers that have already paid for their intrastate vehicles under the UCR will not need to file and pay for the 2026-2027 PUCO receipts. All carriers operating only within Ohio or transporting household goods must renew their Ohio intrastate authority. Each carrier with PUCO authority should confirm their status with the state to ensure their authority remains valid.

If a carrier intends to operate in Ohio without the required authority, please contact us.

Any inquiries regarding transportation or need help, feel free to contact us.

Have a Great Summer.