Anyone in the trucking industry knows that you have to follow the various rules and regulations to stay compliant on the road. As a trucker in the United States, you need to register with the Unified Carrier Registration if you plan to cross any state or international lines. We'll go over everything you need to know here, including how to request a copy of your UCR certificate and how to renew each year.
Thanks to the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005, commercial motor vehicles in the U.S. that carry cargo across state or international lines need to register with the Unified Carrier Registration. Essentially, this system aims to collect fees and register any commercial vehicles that participate in interstate and international travel.
Although UCR is a combined effort between states and the federal government, only 41 states participate in this program. Non-participating UCR states include:
Keep in mind that just because your state doesn't participate in the Unified Carrier Registration program doesn't mean you can ignore compliance regulations. You must get your UCR registration if you plan to cross any state lines, regardless of which state you live in. If your state is not a UCR participant, you can register with the state closest to you.
Any commercial vehicles that carry large cargo and cross state or international lines must follow UCR compliance guidelines. However, commercial vehicles aren't the only ones who need to register. Freight forwarders and any companies that ship or make arrangements to ship goods also need to follow UCR compliance standards.
Even if you plan to transport cargo that won't cross state lines, you may need UCR certification if the cargo you carry crossed state lines before you received it or will after you complete your delivery. Although truckers typically require UCR compliance, you may still need a UCR certificate if you use other transportation methods (like trains) to move cargo across state lines.
If you don’t know whether you need to register with the Unified Carrier Registration, FMCA Filings can help.
Your UCR certificate will contain basic information about your vehicle, such as its make, model, and gross weight, as well as the carrier's information. Upon registration, you'll get a UCR number, which acts as proof of your registration. So what happens if you don't register?
If you fail to remain UCR compliant, you could end up facing several consequences. For instance, if law enforcement catches you transporting goods without proper UCR certification, they could detain your vehicle, which interrupts your route and could lead to more issues for your company. You could also be responsible for paying fines anywhere between $100 and $5,000.
The authorities leverage these fines just for first-time offenders. If you face multiple offenses, you'll have to pay much steeper fines.
You also need to renew your UCR certification every year to remain compliant. If you lose your proof of registration, you can easily request a copy of your UCR certification online with FMCA Filings.
UCR trucks or commercial vehicles need to have certain traits for registration. For example, you will need to register with the UCR if you use a self-propelled commercial motor vehicle on county highways or if you transport cargo or passengers for commercial purposes.
You will also need a UCR certificate if your vehicle weighs more than 10,001 pounds or can transport more than eight passengers (excluding the driver). Finally, any commercial vehicles that transport enough hazardous materials to require a placard must register with the Unified Carrier Registration.
UCR annual renewal is another task that brokers, leasing companies, and freight forwarders need to add to their annual to-do list. You must renew your registration every year by December 31 because strict enforcement starts immediately on January 1. Since registration for the next year starts on October 1, you have three months to renew your certification.
Additionally, you need to hold onto your UCR records for at least two years from the filing or due date, depending on which is later.
To make it easy, you can renew or get your UCR certification by filing with FMCA Filings. We can help you determine whether you need a UCR registration, help you keep track of all necessary records, and file on time. With our streamlined filing process, you can have peace of mind that you'll stay compliant with the Unified Carrier Registration without getting lost in the paperwork.
We also make it easy to request a copy of your UCR certificate online. Let FMCA Filings simplify the registration process and help keep your fleet compliant!