Service Details

UCR stands for “Unified Carrier Registration,” which is not an FMCSA program. It refers to an agreement among the states set up by Congress governing the collection and distribution of registration information and UCR fees paid to states by motor carriers, private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 14504a.

Unified Carrier Registration (“UCR”) is a mandatory registration program that applies to all private and for-hire motor carriers of passengers and property that operate in interstate commerce. UCR registers your DOT for interstate commerce. It is done annually.

Unified Carrier Registration (“UCR”) is a base-state system, under which a commercial vehicle registrant pays fees through its base state on behalf of all the participating states. Unified Carrier Registration (“UCR”), a program that has taken the place of the Single State Registration (“SSR”) and Interstate Exempt System (“IEX”).

It is important to remember the UCR also applies to all property brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies.  Note: Past-year compliance is being determined through audits and roadside inspections based on MCS-150 data as per the UCR Board of Directors.

UCR is a Federally run system mandatory for commercial vehicle operators that carry products from state to state. Businesses involved in international travel also use this system. A trucking company must file with the UCR every year, and the filing runs from October 1st to December 31st.

Notice for trucks and trucking companies operating within the state of Georgia.

Georgia has a separate filing requirement for trucks and trucking companies operating solely within the state. To register, call us at 1(800) 498-9820.


For for-hire motor carriers transporting property or passengers and motor private carriers transporting property, the UCR fees are based only on the total number of commercial motor vehicles operated. The UCR fees for brokers, freight forwarders (those, that is, that do not operate motor vehicles – the UCR fees of those that do are based on fleet size), and leasing companies are levied at the smallest fee category. UCR fees depend not at all on the extent of a carrier’s operations, only on the fact that it is engaged to some extent in interstate commerce. A carrier may, for example, have operations in just a few States, none of which participate in the UCR Agreement. Its UCR fees will be the same as a carrier that operates the same number of commercial motor vehicles but whose operations extend to all participating States. Neither will it matter under the UCR Agreement, which State is acting as a carrier’s Base State – the level of UCR fees for a fleet of a given size will stay the same


The Following 41 States Currently Participate  in UCR:

Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia

According to the FMCSA:

Created by the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 (UCR Act – 49 United States Code (USC) section 14504a), it replaces the former system for registering and collecting fees from the operators of vehicles engaged in interstate travel – the Single State Registration System (SSRS).

The UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) was established by Congress in 2005 as an interstate compact responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the (SSRS) Single State Registration System. The UCR is independent of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the FMCSA.

The UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is a program that replaced the (SSRS) Single State Registration System. The UCR Program requires individuals and companies that operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate or international commerce to register their business with a participating state and pay an annual fee based on the size of their fleet. This includes ALL carriers – private, exempt, or for hire. Brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies are also required to register and pay a fee unless they also operate as a motor carrier.

UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is a Federally run system mandatory for commercial vehicle operators that carry products from state to state. Businesses involved in international travel also use this system. A trucking company must file with the UCR every year, and the filing runs from October 1st to December 31st.

Like SSRS. Fees collected from the UCR system will be used by the states to support its safety programs and USDOT officer training. Unlike SSRS. The UCR system increases the number of fee-eligible transportation companies and its owned equipment, but lowers the fee per company.

It may seem complicated at first but the UCR registration process is not that difficult. You as a trucker already know how much paperwork is required to operate a truck. Being legal on the road is important. Keeping in compliance with all the state and federal regulations is important too because the fines are expensive.

Who Needs UCR?

Any for-hire motor carriers transporting property in interstate commerce in commercial motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds whichever is greater;

Any or-hire motor carriers transporting passengers in interstate commerce in commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver);

Any or-hire motor carriers transporting hazardous materials in interstate commerce and transported in a quantity requiring placarding;

All motor private carriers transporting property in commercial motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds whichever is greater.

  • Brokers

  • Freight Forwarders

  • Leasing Companies

In another words everyone in the trucking industry or using a truck.

What is the UCR process and fee structure?

The process is very simple. Each company is required to pay its UCR fee with a base state (the state in which you reside primarily). If your base state does not participate in the program you are required to pay your UCR fee through a neighboring, participating state.

Currently, the following states are not participating.

  • Arizona

  • Florida

  • Hawaii

  • Maryland

  • Nevada

  • New Jersey

  • Oregon

  • Vermont

  • Wyoming


    District of Columbia

    If your base state does not participate in this program, you are required to apply for UCR Permit in the closest participating state to you.


    What if I don’t pay the UCR fee?

Failure to pay your UCR fee will hurt your business. If you cross into a UCR participating state without having paid your UCR fee, the state and its USDOT officers will pull your trucks off the road immediately. They will not release your trucks until your UCR fees are paid. You will also be subject to additional fines and penalties. The damage and cost to your business will be detrimental. Why risk hurting a customer relationship or subject your business to an unnecessary claim by not paying your UCR? Complying with the UCR legal requirement will help you avoid serious harm to your business and your customers.

When will I get my UCR fee notice?

You may or may not get a notice! Your UCR participating state may elect not to remit any notices, or you may reside in a non-participating state. However, from the states’ perspective, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You are still expected to pay your UCR fee, regardless if you ever received a UCR notice. For the most part states are relying on you and Process Service Agencies to inform you of your pending UCR fees.

Getting your UCR registration is quick and easy. Thousands of trucking companies have used STS to get their UCR registration. The staff at STS will answer all your questions quickly and in simple language.

As we always say let the truckers deliver loads on time and safely. Truckers should not have to worry about the large amounts of paperwork required to operate a truck. There are folks like us who take care of the paperwork.

Work with us now and save time and money tomorrow.