UCR Requirements for North Dakota-Based Motor Carriers

Jan. 21, 2026, 8:14 p.m.
The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is a federally mandated system requiring most interstate motor carriers — including those based in North Dakota — to register and pay an annual fee if they operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. The UCR system is administered through participating states’ enforcement, but the registration is done through the national online portal.
UCR Requirements for North Dakota-Based Motor Carriers

Who Must Register

If your North Dakota–based trucking company operates commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce (i.e., across state lines), you must register with UCR. This includes:

  • For-hire carriers

  • Private carriers that operate interstate

  • Freight forwarders and leasing companies (sometimes at different fee levels)

  • Carriers with a USDOT number and vehicles meeting the commercial threshold

A CMV is typically defined as a self-propelled vehicle used on highways in commerce that either:

  • Has a GVWR/GVW of 10,001 lbs or more,

  • Is designed to transport 11 or more passengers (including the driver),

  • Or carries hazardous materials requiring placarding.

 Registration Timeline and Deadline

  • The UCR registration period runs on a calendar year basis.

  • Registration opens October 1 of the preceding year (e.g., October 1, 2025, for the 2026 year).

  • Deadlines vary by enforcement but typically must be completed before January 1 of the registration year to avoid enforcement actions.

North Dakota carriers should ensure they register within this window because enforcement in all participating states (including roadside checks) begins at the start of the calendar year.

 UCR Fee Structure

UCR fees are based on the number of commercial motor vehicles you operate (trailers don’t count). The more vehicles you operate, the higher the annual fee. These brackets are set nationally:

Vehicle Count (CMVs) 2026 UCR Fee (Carrier/Forwarder)
0–2 $129
3–5 $275
6–20 $499
21–100 $1,785
101–1,000 $9,985
1,001+ $119,745

These exact amounts can adjust annually, but this is the structure carriers should expect.

 How to Register

  1. Register online at the UCR portal: https://www.fmcsa.me/

  2. Enter your legal business name, USDOT number, and details about your fleet.

  3. Pay the fee based on your fleet size.

  4. You’ll receive confirmation of compliance once the portal processes your application and payment.

 

 What Happens If You Don’t Comply

Operating in interstate commerce without a current UCR registration can lead to enforcement actions during roadside inspections or audits, including:

  • Citations and fines

  • Possible suspension of operating authority

  • Issues with port-of-entry compliance

States check UCR compliance electronically through national databases — you don’t need to carry a physical card, but your registration must be current in the system.

 North Dakota Notes

While North Dakota’s state motor carrier services provide UCR guidance (pointing carriers to the national portal), the actual compliance obligations and filing are handled through the UCR system itself.

Summary – Key Points

 You must register for UCR if you operate interstate commercial motor vehicles.
 Registration happens annually through https://www.fmcsa.me/
 Fees depend on the number of qualifying vehicles you operate.
 Register before January 1 to avoid enforcement.
 Enforcement is electronic — proof of compliance must be current in national systems.

 

UCR Requirements for North Dakota-Based Motor Carriers