UCR Registration Fees: How Much Does it Cost?

      The annual UCR fee is determined by the total number of CMVs.

If you run trucks across state lines—whether for-hire, passenger, property, or exempt—you’re required to register under the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program. It’s a yearly requirement that comes with an annual fee, and staying on top of it keeps your business compliant.

The annual UCR fee is determined by the total number of CMVs a carrier operates in interstate commerce and must be paid to the carrier’s designated base state. To remain compliant and continue operating legally, UCR registration and payment must be completed before January 1 of the new registration year.

If a company fails to register UCR by the deadline, the carrier may face enforcement actions from state authorities for operating without a valid UCR registration.

How much does UCR registration cost?

The cost of Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) depends on the size of your fleet. Rather than a flat fee, UCR uses a tiered system that considers the number of qualifying vehicles and the nature of your operations. This approach ensures that each business pays a fair share, with fees scaled to match the size and scope of its fleet.

UCR fees are divided into six tiers, starting with Tier 1 for fleets of 0–2 vehicles and extending up to Tier 6 for fleets with 1,001 or more vehicles.

The different tiers of UCR registration prices are:

How does the UCR fee structure work?

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program uses a bracket-based fee system, where charges are calculated by the fleet size. This means all carriers operating within the same bracket pay an identical amount nationwide, regardless of their location.

Each year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updates these fees according to recommendations made by the UCR Board of Directors.

• Freight forwarders that operate their own fleet of vehicles are classified as motor carriers and must pay UCR fees based on the number of commercial motor vehicles they operate.
• Brokers, leasing companies, and freight forwarders without commercial motor vehicles fall into the lowest fee category. However, if any of these entities also function as motor carriers, their fees are determined by the number of vehicles they operate.
• Motor carriers that are not required to hold a USDOT number pay the minimum fee, as their vehicles are not classified as CMVs. 

Since UCR fees are subject to change, carriers should note that the official rates are published in 49 CFR Part 367.

Why are UCR fees collected?

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program requires all interstate motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and other related businesses to register each year and pay a fee. These fees aren’t just about compliance—they help fund transportation safety and enforcement across the country. Since heavy commercial vehicles contribute the most to highway wear and tear, carriers are required to share in the cost of maintaining safe infrastructure.

Funds collected through UCR are distributed to participating states and used to:

• Support motor carrier safety programs that make highways safer.
• Strengthen enforcement of federal regulations to ensure carriers remain compliant.
• Provide training for USDOT officers, equipping them to properly monitor commercial motor vehicle operations.
• Cover the administrative costs of the UCR Plan, ensuring the program runs smoothly.

Where to pay the UCR fee?

A common question for interstate carriers is where to submit their UCR fees. The rule is simple: you pay the fee to your base state.

Your base state is the location of your principal place of business, provided that state participates in the UCR program (41 states are currently participants). If your base state does not take part, you are still required to register and pay UCR. In that case, you must designate a base state by selecting:

• A participating state where you maintain an office or operating facility, or
• If no such location exists, the nearest participating state or any participating state within your FMCSA region.

Simplify your UCR registration with eUCR, a service of Truckopedia

Filing your Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) doesn’t have to be complicated. By paying your UCR fees on time, you avoid legal issues and ensure your operations continue without interruption. Understanding the UCR fee brackets also helps you determine the correct amount due before the filing deadline.

With eUCR, you can complete your registration quickly, accurately, and fully in line with UCR requirements. We guide you on UCR fees and handle FMCSA compliance, so you can focus on running your business.

You can file directly at ucr.gov, or let eUCR take care of the entire process. We file and submit your UCR payment for a small service fee (learn more about our service charges), making sure it is accurate and on time. This removes the stress of tracking deadlines or calculating fees and lowers the risk of penalties or enforcement actions.

Contact eUCR today to get your fleet registered hassle-free and stay fully compliant.