UCR (Unified Carrier Registration)
UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is an annual registration and fee paid by interstate motor carriers, private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies, with the fee set by the number of commercial motor vehicles operated.
What is UCR (Unified Carrier Registration)?
UCR is a federal-state program: fees are set in federal regulations and collected on behalf of participating states. Registration is annual, per registration year, and applies to companies involved in interstate commerce whether they are for-hire carriers, private fleets hauling their own goods, or brokers and forwarders that operate no trucks at all. Enforcement officers can check UCR status at roadside inspections.
The fee depends only on fleet size. A carrier counts the commercial motor vehicles it operates and pays the bracket that matches. Brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies that do not operate trucks pay the smallest bracket.
UCR fees for 2027
A final rule published September 1, 2026 (effective October 1, 2026) raises UCR fees by about 20% on average from registration year 2027. The brackets and new fees are: 0–2 vehicles (and brokers, forwarders and leasing companies) US$55, up from US$46; 3–5 vehicles US$167, up from US$138; 6–20 vehicles US$333, up from US$276; 21–100 vehicles US$1,163, up from US$963; 101–1,000 vehicles US$5,548, up from US$4,592; and 1,001 or more vehicles US$54,165, up from US$44,836.
Registering and paying on time keeps a UCR problem from becoming a roadside problem. Put the renewal in the same compliance calendar as your IRP renewal, your IFTA quarters and your biennial USDOT update.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to register for UCR?
Motor carriers and private carriers of property operating in interstate commerce, plus brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies. Intrastate-only operators are generally outside UCR. The fee bracket depends on how many commercial motor vehicles you operate.
Do freight brokers pay UCR?
Yes. Brokers and freight forwarders that do not operate commercial motor vehicles register in the lowest bracket, which is US$55 from registration year 2027. A broker that also runs trucks pays the bracket for its fleet size.
How much is the UCR fee in 2027?
From US$55 for 0–2 vehicles to US$54,165 for more than 1,000 vehicles, set by the final rule of September 1, 2026. The middle brackets are US$167 (3–5), US$333 (6–20), US$1,163 (21–100) and US$5,548 (101–1,000).
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