Who is required to register
UCR applies broadly to entities involved in interstate commerce, including:
- For-hire and private motor carriers operating a commercial motor vehicle of 10,001 lbs or more across state lines
- Brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies
- Carriers based in one of the 41 states currently participating in UCR
Brokers, leasing companies, and freight forwarders that don't operate any commercial motor vehicles fall into the lowest fee bracket, but are still required to register.
How the fee is calculated
UCR fees are not charged per vehicle — they're assessed in brackets based on the total number of power units a carrier operates, and the fee is the same nationwide for every company in that bracket. Fees are reviewed annually by the FMCSA based on recommendations from the UCR Board of Directors; when collections match requirements, fees stay flat, as they have for the 2026 registration year.
Your power unit count should match what's on file with your most recent MCS-150 biennial update — a mismatch between the two filings is one of the more common issues that can slow down or flag a UCR registration.
Filing process
- Confirm your fleet size and base state to determine your correct fee bracket.
- Submit your registration through the official National Registration System.
- Payment is processed and a receipt is issued — no physical credential is required in the vehicle, but proof of registration should be kept on file for roadside inspections and audits.