What are the temporary sections in the updated Unified Registration System (URS)  regulation and why did FMCSA use them?

FMCSA needs additional time to fully complete the IT system required to implement URS.  The URS online application will be available for use to new applicants on December 12, 2015 though the system required to implement remaining regulatory requirements will not be ready. The temporary sections in the July 28, 2016 Federal Register notice are used to direct new applicants (defined as an entity who does not have, and has never had, an active USDOT, MC, MX or FF number) to use the new URS online application, while still retaining the existing application requirements for other entities.  Using temporary sections allowed us to make minimal changes to the current regulatory text, which we believe will reduce confusion among entities that already have a USDOT number. 

Additionally, using the temporary sections allows us to set a date for those provisions to sunset, after which time the URS online application requirements (which were included in the original URS final rule on August 23, 2013) will apply to all entities requiring registration.