What is Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is a federal registration program for interstate motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders operating in the United States.
The UCR program requires companies that operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce to register annually with their base state and pay an annual fee based on the number of commercial motor vehicles they operate. The program helps to ensure that all interstate motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders are held to the same regulatory standards and helps to fund state enforcement efforts.
Who is Required to Register Under UCR?
All motor carriers, brokers, or freight forwarders operating CMVs in interstate commerce must register and pay an annual fee. Interstate commerce is defined as any trade, traffic, or transportation between two or more states, or between a state and a foreign country.
The UCR program applies to both for-hire and private carriers. Carriers that are solely engaged in intrastate commerce are not required to register. They may, however, be required to register with their state’s intrastate registration program.
What are the UCR Registration Fees?
The UCR registration fee is determined by the number of commercial motor vehicles operated by the carrier. The fee for 2024 ranges from $145 for carriers operating one or two vehicles to $6,125 for carriers operating up to 1,000 vehicles. The fee schedule is determined annually based on the number of registered carriers and the total fees collected.
The Impact of Not Registering
Failure to register under the UCR can lead to multiple penalties and fines. These fines for can reach $1,288 per day or up to $31,096 as the maximum penalty. The fees could potentially increase for repeated violations. The FMCSA enforces actions against non-compliant carriers, which can result in fines, out-of-service orders, or other penalties.
How do Carriers Register?
At FCCR, our legal team is fully qualified and informed on all UCR laws and requirements and can help you file for this registration. You must provide basic information about your company, including the name, address, and number of commercial motor vehicles operated. Carriers must provide their base state and the states in which they operate.
Once registered, carriers must keep a copy of their UCR registration in each commercial motor vehicle they operate. Carriers must also maintain accurate records of their UCR registration and fee payments for three years.
If you have any more questions, visit the UCR Policies and Procedures page for more information.
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