What does UCR mean in trucking?
In trucking, UCR means Unified Carrier Registration. It comes from the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 and began in 2007, replacing the older Single State Registration System. The UCR Plan, a board of federal and state representatives, sets the fees; participating states collect them and share the revenue.
Outside trucking, UCR can mean other things, such as “usual, customary, and reasonable” in health insurance. This guide covers only Unified Carrier Registration.
Who needs UCR registration?
Any business that operates commercial motor vehicles across state or national borders, or arranges that transportation, files UCR each year. That includes:
- For-hire and private motor carriers in interstate commerce
- Property brokers and freight forwarders
- Leasing companies that lease commercial motor vehicles for interstate use
- Carriers based in Canada or Mexico that operate in the United States
Is UCR the same as a USDOT number or MC number?
No. A USDOT number identifies your company and its safety record, and an MC number is operating authority for for-hire interstate carriers. UCR is a separate annual registration and fee. Your UCR record is tied to your USDOT number, which is why filing starts with it.
- UCR registration: an annual fee based on fleet size, due every calendar year
- USDOT number: issued once, kept current through the MCS-150
- MCS-150: the census update for your USDOT record, due every two years
- MC number: operating authority for regulated for-hire interstate carriers
Is there a UCR number or sticker?
There is no separate UCR number to display and no decal for your truck. Your registration is recorded against your USDOT number, and enforcement officers check it electronically during roadside inspections and audits. Keep your filing receipt with your compliance records.
How much does UCR cost?
Our filing price depends on your fleet size and starts at $129 for 0–2 vehicles. Brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies file in the lowest bracket. Fleets over 1,000 vehicles get a custom quote.
How do you file UCR registration?
- Enter your USDOT number to pull up your carrier record.
- Confirm your commercial vehicle count, which sets your bracket.
- Review the total and pay securely online.
- Save the registration record with your compliance documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is UCR required by law?
Yes. The Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 requires motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies in interstate commerce to register and pay the annual fee.
Who runs the UCR program?
The UCR Plan, a board of federal and state representatives, oversees the program, and participating states collect the fees. FMCSA provides federal oversight. Private services like ours file on your behalf.
Do intrastate carriers need UCR?
Generally no. Carriers that operate only within one state are not subject to UCR, though they may have state registration requirements of their own.
How long does UCR registration last?
One calendar year, January 1 through December 31. Registration for the next year opens on October 1.