As a trucker, you keep up with seemingly countless compliance documents, many of which require annual updates and submittal. The Unified Carrier Registration is one filing that most commercial motor vehicle drivers must carry. Federal law mandates that truckers adhere to the Unified Carrier Registration Act by applying for and submitting their UCR paperwork annually.
You can complete, store, and access your Unified Carrier Registration with Federal Motor Carrier Authority Online Filings, keeping this and other pertinent compliance records easily accessible. Learn more about this federal program and its requirements below to maintain peace of mind during your upcoming routes.
The UCR is an agreement among 41 of the 50 United States that requires commercial vehicle drivers to pay fees to support nationwide safety and compliance programs. The only states that don’t participate in the UCR Act include:
However, drivers operating out of these states must obtain their UCR from a neighboring state if they cross state borders.
The UCR Act came into effect in 2005. Since then, some terms and definitions have changed. Therefore, drivers who require interstate trucking registration should stay updated on who should include this registration in their yearly filings.
The Unified Carrier Registration Act applies to all motor carriers transporting cargo or passengers across state lines. More specifically, you should register if:
Even if you solely operate within a state that doesn’t strictly follow UCR program requirements, you should register with the Unified Carrier Registration program to adhere to national transportation industry standards. You might encounter a detour that requires you to cross state lines to make timely deliveries. If you don’t have a UCR, you won’t fully comply with federal mandates.
Qualified drivers must pay predetermined fees to obtain their UCR since the registration profits go toward running safety and compliance agencies within the transportation industry. Fees may vary by year. However, the UCR price for the current year may cost up to $50,000.
The documents required to file for a UCR depend on the applicant. For example, motor carrier companies must supply different paperwork than an independent driver. They will also cover different fees.
At a minimum, you must have an active USDOT number to apply for your Unified Carrier Registration. You must also provide the same basic operating information, like business address and contact information, that most other commercial vehicle registration and identification programs require.
You can streamline your registration process by using FMCA Filings’ filing services and portal. This service keeps all your information, documents, and other details in one place. If you need to update any data, you can quickly adjust it through the portal without accessing numerous accounts across various platforms.
You must complete a new UCR application annually, and you can apply as early as October 1st. A driver must submit the next year’s application by December 31st of the current year.
The earlier you submit, the better. Waiting until the last minute could lead to complications that delay your registration. You must be fully registered by January 1st to comply while operating across state lines. Otherwise, you could face penalties if a USDOT officer pulls you over and inspects your vehicle only to find no UCR ready for the service year.
What happens if you don’t register on time or at all? Non-compliant drivers could incur significant legal and industry penalties, including:
The Unified Carrier Registration Act ultimately keeps roads safer by funding safety and compliance agencies across the nation. Therefore, registering is essential for most commercial vehicle operators. See whether you fall under the UCR filing exemption.
Bring your filings, documents, and data to FMCA Filings, your one-stop shop for complete compliance.
Information and images contained here are the property of FMCA Filings, LLC; and, they may not be reproduced, reused, or appropriated in any way without the express written consent of the owner.
*Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings, operated by FMCA Filings, LLC is operated by a private third-party provider offering services for a fee. This is a commercial solicitation and advertisement. We are NOT affiliated with any government authority (USDOT/FMCSA). Filing through the government, fees range from $0 - $35,837. The fee totals listed on our website will reflect the cost with the government, service processing fees and will range from $20 - $48,289.
This website is not affiliated with the Unified Carrier Registration Plan. This website 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 www.ucr.gov.
© All Rights Reserved By FMCA Filings, LLC