What Is Unified Carrier Registration: A Short Guide
Truck drivers wishing to remain compliant in as many ways as possible should get and maintain their Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). But what is Unified Carrier Registration, and why do you need it? Let’s take a look at how a UCR affects truck drivers in the United States and why every truck driver should have one.
What Is UCR?
The United Carrier Registration program allows truck drivers to travel between states while maintaining federal mandates. Whether you operate leasing companies or own a broker freight business, any kind of national or international truck drivers require a UCR to stay on the road. Individual truckers must also have a UCR to continue safe and legal driving.
Do I Need UCR?
While some states like Florida, Maryland, and Nevada don’t require a UCR, if you drive any type of commercial motor vehicles over state lines, you must maintain a UCR. If you live in one of the states that don’t require a UCR and you don’t drive over state lines, you may not need to get the registration, but it does look better if you have it, just in case.
Features of commercial vehicles which will require a UCR for interstate or international travel include the following:
- Performs commercial transportation of cargo or passengers
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,001 lbs
- Transports hazardous materials
In addition, if your commercial vehicle transports more than eight passengers, including the driver, you should consider a UCR.
How Much Is the UCR Fee?
Many truck companies and drivers asking, “What is Unified Carrier Registration?" typically also wonder how much they’ll have to pay to maintain the UCR. Registration terms typically last a full year, from January 1st to December 31st. However, not all companies or drivers pay the same UCR fees, which depend on how many commercial vehicles fall under one operation, with the same requirements falling on independent truck drivers.
What If I Don’t Have a UCR?
Failing to maintain a Unified Carrier Registration can result in trucks or truck drivers having their service suspended, therefore being unable to continue transportation services. Sometimes officials may take a commercial vehicle into their control, detaining shipments or passenger transports. Most drivers or brokers who lose their right to drive may not know when they'll receive reinstatement, pushing schedules back and creating problems with clients.
In addition to losing the right to transport, companies or drivers will also need to pay fines starting at $100 and going as high as $5,000 on the first offense. Further offenses can double or triple the original fines.
Stay On the Road with FMCA Filings
If you ask, “What is Unified Carrier Registration?” hopefully, you now realize how easy it is to lose track of all the different registrations and filings you need to keep track of as a trucking company. With FMCA Filings, you can rely on our third-party organization to keep you compliant and your drivers on the road. Contact us at FMCA Filings to learn more about our registration compliance services.