TSNAmerica: Trucking Nation News Update

We’re back again Trucking Nation! And once again, we’ve crammed all the latest and greatest news updates in our newest installment of the Trucking Nation News Update. So sit back, buckle your seat belt, and let’s throw this thing into gear!

E-Logs

We know, we’ve mentioned this a time or ten, and so has everyone else. But the official ruling is FINALLY in place (took long enough, right?) and is set to go into effect December 16, 2017.

The federal rule that will require all truck operators to use electronic logging devices has now been published into the Federal Register, but not without backlash from the trucking industry. OOIDA has petitioned the ruling, and President and CEO Jim Johnston even went as far as to say OOIDA plans to, “fight this with everything we’ve got.” So while this rule may be now be published, it’s future is still unclear. (shocker)

Note: If you have a truck made before the year 2000, you’re a lucky trucker, because the e-log rule doesn’t apply to you. Enjoy your freedom!

URS- Unified Registration System

The Unified Registration System officially began its phased launch on December 12, 2015, putting into effect an entirely new system. What is it? It’s a new electronic online registration system made to streamline the FMCSA’s registration process. Skeptical? We don’t blame you.

But the good news is if you’re already registered you won’t have to worry about it until next year, because only new applicants are affected by the December 12 launch. Anyone that already has an existing USDOT, MC, or FF number will not be required to register using the new system until Sept. 30, 2016.

Don’t worry folks, we’ll be giving you plenty more information about the process before then, so stay tuned for our Unified Registration System FAQs!

Deadlines

With the excitement that comes with the holiday season and the end of the year, don’t forget about deadlines! Like we mentioned before, UCR Registration period is open and we’re here to help. The registration period began back in October and runs until the end of the year, so if you’ve successfully procrastinated doing it until now you may as well just let someone else do it for you! (Cough, us.) So just give us a call and let us take some of the unneeded stress of your plate this holiday season.

And just a quick and friendly reminder, the IFTA 4th quarter also concludes at the end of the year, so you’ll need to have your IFTA reports done and filed by January 31, 2016. Just in case you were wondering, yes, we do IFTA too.

You can give us a call at 803.386.0320 or email us at support@tsnamerica.com anytime. The end of the year is almost here—what are you waiting for?

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UCR Registration: FAQs

Whether you like it or not, the deadline for renewing your UCR registration is fast approaching. We know it can be confusing, but luckily for you, your friends at Truck Services of North America are here to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about UCR registration. So if you’ve got a question, hold on to it for a minute, because we’re probably about to answer it for you!

FAQs

What is UCR registration?

Good question, and even though we’ve answered it 3600 times and explained exactly what UCR registration is in a previous blog about the opening of the UCR registration period, we’ll answer it one more time—just for you.

UCR registration is mandatory under the UCRA, or Unified Carrier Registration Agreement, and is regulated by the federal government. Typically, the registration is only for vehicles that travel interstate, and motor carriers are required to pay fees depending on the number of vehicles they need to be registered. Although, some states do not participate in the program, and some have a program for intrastate only carriers, like Georgia.

Who has to register under the UCRA?

All motor carriers operating in these states must register under the UCR program. If you do not operate in any of the states listed, then guess what, you don’t have to worry about it! If you operate intrastate only or under the PRISM program, you’re also not required to register.

Note: If you operate intrastate in Georgia, you must register with the state, which has separate UCR filing requirements.

When do I have to register for UCR?

Well, technically you don’t have to register ever if you don’t want to. But if you want to be, you know, on the road legally, then it’s probably in your best interest to register on time. When is on time? You’ve got until the end of the year to make sure you have all your trucks paid for and registered—so don’t wait until the last minute!

Why do I have to register?

That’s an easy one, it’s because the government is out to get you and take your money. We’re obviously kidding (or are we?) but it sure seems that way sometimes. In reality, the reason you have to pay for UCR registration is that the roads don't fix themselves, and the funding from HVUT and UCR fees is ideally supposed to go towards fixing the roads (although we've all seen how well that works). So basically, you pay because you have to, and unfortunately there's no way around it!

Do I have to pay a fine if I’m required to register and don’t?

Of course, you do. If you operate in 2016 without registering for 2016 UCR, you'll be liable for civil penalties. The board of UCR directors is given the authority to determine non-compliance through bill of lading audits, compliance reviews, and roadside inspections. So if you don’t get your jollies from paying fines, we strongly suggest registering and doing so on time.

I just don’t have a clue. Can you help me with this?

Not to worry friend, of course, we can—that’s exactly what we’re here for. Just give us a call at 803.386.0320, and we’ll help you take that pesky UCR registration of your to-do list, as well as answer any of your UCR-related questions that we didn't cover. And remember, we also offer lots of other trucking services, so take a look and let us know what you need!

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Trucking Industry Update

Well folks, as the year comes to a close, it's busy time again in the Trucking Nation. In addition to all the fun that comes with year-end registrations and renewals, there are a lot of other trucking related happenings going on that we think you should know about. Why? Because you're a trucker, and you like to be aware of your surroundings. And at TSNAmerica, we like to keep our favorite truckers (that's you) as informed as possible.

Trucking News and Regulations

E-log Mandate:

Yeah we know, you’ve heard all about this one and every time you hear about it, it's something different. Well, we’re here to continue that trend! This rule has been all over the place the last few months, and while many of your were probably hoping it would kind of, you know, just disappear, it unfortunately looks like it’s here to stay.

Just this week the final rule outlining the specifications of the e-log mandate cleared the White House Office of Management and Budget. The review process took longer than planned, but technically the rule was able to clear four days ahead of the FMCSA’s original schedule. The final rule is still on track to be published into the Federal Register on November 30. So as much as you may be itching to find out more about this regulation and how it’s going to affect you, you’ll have to wait patiently just like the rest of us!

Highway Bill:

While you most likely are already familiar with the new highway bill (or should be, anyway), the bill is finally nearing reality, which would make it the nation’s first long-term highway bill in nearly a decade.

If you heard about this months ago and are wondering what the heck took so long, it’s mostly due to all the fine details in the bill that needed to be sorted out. Part of the bill, the Surface Transportation Restoration and Reform Act was recently passed by the house, and the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act was passed by the Senate. Not sure what these acts are or what they entail? Well we wouldn’t worry about those too much if we were you. All you need to know is this is the government’s way of trying to improve the conditions of your roads as fast as possible. About time right? Judging by the current condition of the nation’s roads, the final passage and implementation of this bill can’t come soon enough.

When exactly will that be? Well if you’d quit asking so many questions we’d tell you! Just kidding, we’ll tell you anyway. Under the extension of the short-term highway fix, Congress has until December 4, 2015 to make a final decision, with a possible vote coming any day. So either way, it won’t be long before this one gets passed, Trucking Nation.

So as always, you’re welcome for making you the most informed trucker on the road. Stay tuned for more updates, because we’re chock full of 'em and we pride ourselves on staying up-to-date on all the latest trucking happenings. And remember, if you have any questions, or need any assistance getting your pesky UCR registration taken care of before the deadline, just give us a call at 803.386.0320, or email us at support@tsnamerica.com!

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The End of the Year is Near: Time for UCR and NYHUT Renewals!

Well congrats Trucking Nation, you’ve officially made it through the third quarter alive. And now you’re all done with taxes and registration for the year! Just kidding.

Sorry to get your hopes up, but you’ve still got a lot left to do before the year’s end. So let’s take a quick look to see what’s coming up, and as always, how we can help!

UCR Registration

UCR Registration is mandatory as part of the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement, and is required for carriers that operate interstate. While the program is overseen by the federal government, it is administered by participating states. If you operate in a participating state, you must register with your base jurisdiction, and pay the required fees. As for the fees, they’re based on the total number of vehicles used or leased by a particular individual or company.

If you operate intrastate only, you may be in luck! Or you may have to pay anyway; it just depends on your state. For example, if you live in Georgia or another state that uses the PRISM program, even if you only operate intrastate, you still have to pay UCR fees. Keep in mind state requirements often change from year to year, so be sure that you’re always up to date of the rules and regulations of your base state, or any state you operate in. If you have any questions about a particular state, just give us a shout and we’ll make sure you’re the most well-informed trucker on the road!

The deadline for UCR registration? You guessed it, it’s the end of the year, December 31. If you guessed wrong, well, then at least you know the correct date now.

So if you haven’t already done so, stop procrastinating and make it happen!

NYHUT

As most of you already know, or should know at least, if you operate in the state of New York with a vehicle that weighs 26,000 pounds or more, you get a special benefit. What's the benefit? Use tax! That’s right, you get the honor and privilege of paying to help keep the highways you know and love in good shape. OK, so it might not be much of a benefit, and actually more of a burden when you think about it; but hey, sometimes "you gotta do what you gotta do." And if you operate in New York and meet the qualifications, then, unfortunately, this is something you gotta do.

If you have to pay this special use tax, then you’ll need to be registered with the state, and have a New York HUT certificate. Now many of you are probably thinking, how often do I have to do renew this stupid certificate? Well friend, we’ve got some good news and bad news for you. The good news: you only have to renew it once every three years. The bad news: this is the year you have to renew. So before the end of the year, you’ll need to get that taken care if to ensure that you’re operating legally.

Now that we’ve given you all this great information, you’re probably wondering how to actually get your renewals done. Well, do you want the easy way or the hard way? We’ll assume you like things easy, because who doesn’t, right? So just give us a call at (803).386.0320, and let us show you just how easy it can be. Let TSNAmerica take the paperwork out of your way, so you can get back to your day!

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UCR Registration is Now Open!

Yeah we get it, the timing is less than ideal. But what’s new? We know all you truckers are currently buried under piles of of paperwork trying to finish up your 3rd quarter IFTA returns, but don’t forget about your UCR registration amidst all the madness!

The period officially opened on October 1, and now is the time to get it out of the way before the end of the year deadline. After all, nobody likes things hanging over their head; you’ve got enough on your plate already. So give us a call and let us complete your UCR registration, and while we’re at it, we can do your IFTA return for you, too!

If you aren’t sure what UCR registration is or how to go about getting yours taken care of, no worries, just keep reading and we’ll answer some of the most common UCR questions.

What is UCR Registration?

UCRA stands for the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement, which is mandated by the federal government. (Although it is administered by participating states) The registration is typically only for vehicles that operate interstate or internationally, and the fees are based on the total number of vehicles used or leased by the individual or company.

Most carriers that operate intrastate only, or that are registered under the PRISM program are not required to complete UCR registration. Although, certain states do have a UCR program for intrastate only carriers, like Georgia. If you’re unsure of the requirements of your state, be sure to check, as many state requirements change from year to year.

What’s My Base State?

Your base state is simply the state you are registered with that collects UCR fees on behalf of all participating UCR states. When choosing your base state, it is typical to choose the state where your business is headquartered, unless that state doesn’t participate in UCR.

If your state doesn’t participate, but you still need to register for UCR, you can choose the closest state that does participate where your business has an office or an operating facility. If that still isn’t an option for you, then you can just choose the nearest participating state as your base.

How Do I Change My Base State?

Well if you do need to change your base state, you couldn’t have picked a better time to do it. Even if your business has moved to another state, base changes are allowed once a year, and can only be done during the registration period - which is now! Just make sure you give the advanced notice of the change to your base state, and when renewing, choose your new base state.

What Happens if I Don’t Register or Register Late?

Each state that participates in the UCRA has the authority to enforce registration compliance through roadside enforcement checks and comprehensive business audits. During theses enforcement checks and audits, states are given the option to issue citations and fines if anything is found not to be in compliance. So while we can’t say for certain what will happen to you, we can confidently say that you can expect a pretty hefty fine.

We know that you have until the end of the year to register, but putting it off until then is probably the best possible way to forget about it entirely. So if you don’t think you’ll have time to get your UCR renewal completed, or if you just flat out don’t feel like doing it (we don’t blame you) then just give us a call at 803.386.0320, email us at support@tsnamerica.com, or send us a service request. Let us take the paperwork out of your way so you can get back to your day!

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UCR Enforcement Date Extended

2013 UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) Renewals were due December 31, 2012.  If you have not already done so, you will want to renew or register now to avoid possible fines/penalties.  The original enforcement date of January 1, 2013, has been extended until February 1, 2013, so you still have time.

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.  

From the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Inspection Bulletin released on January 1, 2013:

It should be noted that SAFER (www.safersys.org) only displays three years of UCR registration information, therefore beginning February 1, 2013, roadside enforcement should only involve the 2011, 2012 and 2013 UCR registration years. No UCR Credential is required to be carried in the commercial motor vehicle, but you can carry a copy of your UCR receipt if you choose to.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist you in obtaining your UCR.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Contact us to file your UCR today to avoid possible fines and/or penalties. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Reminder-2013 UCR Registration Now Open

Registration for 2013 Unified Carrier Registration began on October 1, 2012 and the deadline is December 31, 2012.  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 UCR. Entities based in Canada and Mexico that are involved in interstate or international commerce in the United States are also subject to UCR.  

Beginning in January 2013, states are implementing more stringent UCR audit procedures that in some states can be in excess of $1000 for your first offense.  You are able to register for previous years, so you will want to make sure you are registered from 2010 until now. You are required to maintain three years proof of UCR registration.

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, but you can carry a copy of your UCR receipt if you choose to.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist you in obtaining or renewing your UCR.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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2013 UCR Registration & NY HUT Renewals Begins Today

2013 Unified Carrier Registration opens today.  The deadline to register is December 31, 2012.  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.  

Also beginning October 1, 2012 the renewal period begins for the New York State imposed a highway use tax (HUT) on motor carriers operating certain motor vehicles on New York State public highways (excluding toll-paid portions of the New York State Thruway). The tax is based on mileage traveled on NYS public highways and is computed at a rate determined by the weight of the motor vehicle and the method that you choose to report the tax. Beginning January 1, 2013, you must affix a decal to each vehicle that's required to have a certificate of registration.
Vehicle registration requirements
You must obtain a certificate of registration for each vehicle subject to HUT. There are two types:

• A HUT certificate of registration is required for any truck, tractor, or other self-propelled vehicle with a gross weight over 18,000 pounds. (If you elect to use the unloaded weight method to file your returns, a certificate is required for any truck with an unloaded weight over 8,000 pounds and any tractor with an unloaded weight over 4,000 pounds.)
• An automotive fuel carrier (AFC) certificate of registration is required for any truck, trailer, or semi-trailer transporting automotive fuel. (The same gross weight and unloaded weight rules apply.)

You are also required to file your quarterly highway use tax return.  The quarters are based on calendar quarters, so September will mark the end of the 3rd Quarter and the deadline to file is October 31, 2012.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can get or renew your UCR and NY HUT certificate of registration and file your 3rd Quarter highway use tax return for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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