Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement are part of a Federally-mandated, State-administered program that went into effect September 10, 2007.  Under this program, States collect fees from motor carriers, motor private carriers, freight forwarders, brokers and leasing companies, based on the number of qualifying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in their fleets. The revenues generated will be used for enforcement of motor carrier safety programs.

Who is Subject to UCR?  

All motor carriers (for-hire, private and exempt) – as well as brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies operating in interstate or international commerce are subject to the new UCR.   Entities based in Canada and Mexico that are involved in interstate or international commerce in the United States are also subject to UCR.  

Who is Not Subject to UCR?   

The following groups are not subject to UCR:

(1) entities that receive USDOT numbers under the PRISM program as “registrants” but have no interstate operating authority;

(2) except when a state has adopted the UCR Program for intrastate carriers,  purely intrastate carriers, that is those that do not handle interstate/international freight or make interstate/international movements;

(3) private motor carriers of passengers, meaning those that operate as a private motor carrier engaged in the interstate/international transportation of passengers which is provided in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise and is not available to the public at large.

No UCR Credential is required to be carried in the commercial motor vehicle.

States are implementing more stringent UCR audit procedures that in some states can be in excess of $1000 for your first offense.  You are required to maintain three years proof of UCR registration. You are able to register for previous years, so you will want to make sure you are registered.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can file your UCR for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.