Direct Relocation Services pushes consumers to use FMCSA’s new Motus system

Direct Relocation Services is warning long-distance movers to replace the old SAFER lookup with the FMCSA’s new Motus verification system launched in May 2026. The Fort Lauderdale carrier says the change is critical because moving scams remain common and consumers need to confirm a company’s authority before booking.

Why it matters: - The FMCSA’s new Motus system changes how consumers verify moving companies before paying deposits or signing contracts. - The update matters because the moving industry remains a common target for scams, including unlicensed operators, broker misrepresentation, bait-and-switch pricing and hostage freight schemes. - Consumers who keep using the old SAFER site risk seeing outdated or unavailable information. - Direct Relocation Services says the shift gives consumers a faster way to check whether a mover is a legitimate carrier.

What happened: - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration launched Motus in May 2026 as a unified registration and verification system. - Motus replaces the long-running SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. - All moving company verification now goes through motus.dot.gov. - Direct Relocation Services, a licensed direct interstate carrier based in Fort Lauderdale, is urging consumers to update their verification process before booking a long-distance move. - The company also tells potential customers to verify its own credentials at motus.dot.gov using USDOT #3000931.

The details: - Motus searches can be done by company name or USDOT number. - A legitimate direct carrier should list Entity Type as CARRIER. - A broker or freight forwarder is not the same as a carrier; a broker sells the move to a third party carrier and takes a percentage of the payment. - Operating Authority Status should be ACTIVE. - Revoked, suspended or inactive authority means the company is operating illegally and has no accountability for belongings. - Broker Authority should say NONE for a legitimate direct carrier. - Active broker authority means the company is a broker, regardless of what is said on the phone. - Direct Relocation Services says its Motus listing shows Entity Type: CARRIER, Broker Authority: NONE and Operating Authority: ACTIVE. - The company says it has operated as a licensed direct interstate carrier for more than 11 years. - Direct Relocation Services says it was founded on transparent pricing, honest estimates and encouraging customers to verify credentials before paying. - The company is headquartered at 4901 NW 17th Way Suite 605, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309. - Direct Relocation Services operates under USDOT #3000931 and MC #24036. - The company says it handles long-distance relocations from Florida and Georgia to all 48 contiguous states. - Direct Relocation Services says it is BBB A-Rated and Accredited, with 580+ verified reviews across Google, Trustpilot, BBB and ConsumerAffairs. - The company says it is a proud partner of Move For Hunger. - The company says its public contact number is 855.378.3110 and its website is directrelocationservices.com. - The company also provided social media links: Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The Motus rollout appears to create a consumer education gap that movers and carriers can fill by steering customers to the new federal lookup. - Direct Relocation Services is positioning transparency as a competitive advantage in an industry where trust is a major buying factor. - The company’s message suggests consumers should treat verification as a pre-booking step, not something to do after problems start. - The emphasis on carrier status, broker authority and binding estimates reflects the biggest points where customers can lose control over price and delivery.

What's next: - Consumers planning a long-distance move will need to use Motus instead of SAFER to confirm a mover’s federal status. - Direct Relocation Services is likely to keep encouraging customers to verify USDOT records before placing a deposit. - The company is also urging shoppers to ask whether a mover is a direct carrier or broker, how long the company has operated under its current USDOT number and whether the estimate is binding. - The broader industry response will depend on how quickly consumers and moving companies adapt to the new federal system.

The bottom line: - Motus is now the key federal checkpoint for moving-company verification, and Direct Relocation Services wants consumers to use it before they book.