UCR Requirements for Interstate Motor Carriers

Dec. 11, 2025, 1:02 p.m.
The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program is a federally mandated, state-administered system requiring certain transportation businesses that operate in interstate commerce to register and pay an annual fee. The program was established by federal law as part of the SAFETEA-LU legislation to help fund highway safety and motor carrier safety enforcement programs across participating states.
UCR for Motor Carriers

Who Must Register

If you are an interstate motor carrier, you generally must register under the UCR program each year if your business meets any of the following criteria:

1. Operate in Interstate or International Commerce

You must register if you operate commercial motor vehicles across state lines (or international borders) transporting people or property. This applies whether you are a small owner-operator or large fleet. 

2. Types of Entities Required to Register

UCR applies to these types of businesses when they operate interstate:

  • For-hire motor carriers (transport freight for others)

  • Motor private carriers (transport your own goods)

  • Freight forwarders

  • Brokers

  • Leasing companies

  • Foreign carriers (Canada/Mexico) operating in the U.S. 

These groups must register regardless of how often they cross state lines if they engage in interstate commerce.  

What Counts as a “Commercial Motor Vehicle”

For UCR purposes, a commercial motor vehicle generally includes vehicles used on public highways in commerce that:

  • Have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more

  • Carry certain hazardous materials requiring placards

  • Are designed to transport more than 10 passengers (including the driver)  

This definition helps determine whether a vehicle must be counted when calculating your UCR fees.

Who Is Not Required to Register

Certain entities are not required to register under UCR:

  • Intrastate carriers — carriers that operate solely within a single state with no interstate movement

  • Private passenger carriers (not transporting freight)

  • Government entities (in many cases)

  • Some agricultural or specialized exemptions (depending on activity)  

However, if a carrier transports goods that originated or are destined outside the state—even with limited crossing—UCR is usually required.  

Annual Registration Requirement

 Annual Filing

UCR registration is annual, so carriers must register and pay fees each calendar year. Your fee is based on the number of vehicles you operate in interstate commerce.  

 Fee Brackets

Although exact fees vary by year and number of vehicles, the key point is that:

 More vehicles = higher annual fee
 Brokers and leasing companies may pay a flat fee rather than per-vehicle rates 

 

Compliance & Enforcement

 Verification

During roadside inspections, enforcement personnel can check your UCR registration status electronically via official UCR, SAFER, or FMCSA systems. You aren’t required to carry a physical credential, but you must be compliant.  

 Non-Compliance Consequences

Failing to register—or failing to renew on time—can result in:

  • Civil penalties and fines

  • Potential out-of-service orders

  • Increased scrutiny in inspections  

Quick Summary

Interstate Motor Carriers Must Register for UCR If:

 They operate commercial vehicles across state lines
 They transport freight/passengers in interstate commerce
 They are for-hire, private carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, or leasing companies
 Their vehicles meet the commercial vehicle criteria under UCR  

You Do Not Need UCR If:

 You operate only within one state (no interstate commerce)
 You are a private motor passenger carrier not engaged in interstate transport

 

Quick questionnaire to find out if you need to register for the United Carrier Registration Plan.

Follow the link:

https://plan.ucr.gov/do-i-need-to-register/