UCR Regulation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 367
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2024


The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program, established by the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 (UCR Act - 49 United States Code (USC) Section 14504a), is a federal system designed for the registration and collection of fees from operators of vehicles involved in interstate commerce. Although it is a federal law, the UCR program is administered at the state level, with participating states responsible for enforcing compliance. The primary goal of the UCR program is to ensure that motor carriers, freight brokers, leasing companies, and other transportation-related entities engaged in interstate travel contribute to the funding of regulatory oversight for highway safety.



Under the UCR program, the fees collected are uniform across all participating states and are set by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation based on recommendations from the UCR Board, the governing body of the program. These fees are collected annually and are determined by the size of the fleet each carrier operates. Nearly all interstate motor carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, and leasing companies must comply with UCR, regardless of the number of vehicles they operate. This includes not only commercial carriers but also companies that lease or rent vehicles for interstate commerce.
Each entity subject to UCR must register annually with its designated base state and pay the applicable fee based on the size of its fleet.



UCR Registration Process

UCR registration is structured according to the size of a carrier's fleet, and the fee is determined by a graduated system that places carriers into one of six brackets. These brackets depend on the number of vehicles a carrier operates. Even if a carrier does not operate any vehicles (e.g., brokers or leasing companies that do not own or lease vehicles), they must still register under the UCR program, at the 0-2 vehicle level.



The registration covers all vehicles registered under a single USDOT number, meaning that regardless of how many states a fleet operates in, the annual UCR registration covers the entire fleet under one registration.



Fee Calculation Based on Fleet Size The fees for UCR are calculated based on the total number of commercial motor vehicles a carrier operates, as defined in their most recent Form MCS-150 (Motor Carrier Identification Report) filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).



A commercial motor vehicle is defined as one that meets any of the following criteria:
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more.
  • Is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
  • Transports hazardous materials in quantities that require the vehicle to be placarded.
By using the information from Form MCS-150, the number of commercial vehicles in operation is determined, which directly impacts the fees the carrier is required to pay under the UCR program.


Who Must Pay?

The UCR program applies to a broad range of transportation entities engaged in interstate or international commerce. These include:
  • Motor carriers and motor private carriers that operate commercial vehicles across state lines.
  • Freight forwarders involved in the transportation of goods across states or internationally.
  • Leasing companies that rent or lease commercial vehicles to interstate carriers.
  • Brokers that arrange for the transportation of goods in interstate commerce.
Entities based in the United States, Canada, Mexico, or any other country that engage in interstate commerce must comply with UCR requirements. This also includes carriers transporting goods across state lines, even if their vehicles themselves do not physically leave the state, as long as the goods are involved in interstate transportation.



For carriers based in non-participating states, they are still required to comply with the UCR program by registering with an assigned base state. The assignment of a base state is crucial to ensuring compliance for carriers operating across state lines but based in states that do not participate in the UCR program.


Entities Exempt from UCR

Not all carriers are subject to UCR registration. Entities that are purely intrastate carriers, meaning those that operate solely within the borders of a single state and do not engage in interstate commerce, are exempt from UCR. These intrastate carriers do not cross state lines, nor do they transport goods involved in interstate commerce, and therefore are not required to register under the UCR program.


Why Use a Professional DOT Compliance Agent?

Navigating the intricacies of the UCR program can be complex, especially when determining whether a state is a participant or understanding how base state assignments work. To avoid confusion and ensure full compliance with UCR regulations, it is highly recommended to use a professional DOT compliance agent. These agents are experienced in handling UCR registrations and can help you:
  • Identify your base state and register accordingly.
  • Ensure accurate fleet size reporting.
  • Avoid late fees or penalties associated with non-compliance.
For assistance with your UCR registration, and to file through an agent, click here.


Key Points of Contact and Steps for UCR Registration:
  • Annual Registration: Mandatory for all entities engaged in interstate commerce.
  • Registration Based on Fleet Size: Calculated from the number of vehicles as reported on Form MCS-150.
  • Fee Brackets: Based on the size of your fleet, with six tiers ranging from 0-2 vehicles to 1,001+ vehicles.
  • Exemptions: Purely intrastate carriers do not need to register.


REGISTER 2025 UCR
UCR Filing Assistance
240-544-0882
Mailing Center
Hoffenmer
2020 Pennsylvania Ave
NW# 1022
Washington DC 20006
Processing Center
Federal Applications Processor Hoffenmer
33 West Higgins Road 810
Barrington IL 60010
dothelp@hoffenmer.com
2025 UCR Application
2024 UCR Application
About Us
Contact Us
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
Chat With Agent Online

© Copyright 2024-2025 Federal Applications Processor by Hoffenmer
All applications submitted on this webpage are processed by the Federal Applications Processor Inc Hoffenmer Inc in accordance with the UCR mandate for motor carriers. This site is not affiliated with the Unified Carrier Registration Plan. This site is operated by a private company that provides a private registration service for an additional fee. You are not required to use this site to register with the UCR Plan. You may register directly with the UCR Plan at w w w . u c r . g o v