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Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

Don’t Let the New UCR Program Ground Your Trucking Fleet!

What is the UCR?
The UCR (Unified Carrier Registration) is a program that replaced the Single State Registration System (SSRS). The UCR Program requires individuals and companies that operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate or international commerce to register their business with a participating state and pay an annual fee based on the size of their fleet. This includes ALL carriers and truck owners – private, exempt, or for hire. Brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies are also required to register and pay a fee unless they also operate as a motor carrier.

Like SSRS, fees collected from the UCR system will be used by the states to support its safety programs and USDOT officer training. Unlike SSRS, the UCR system increases the number of fee-eligible transportation companies and its owned equipment, but lowers the fee per company.

What is the UCR process and fee structure?
The process is very simple. Each company is required to pay its UCR fee with a base state (the state in which you reside primarily). If your base state does not participate in the program you are required to pay your UCR fee from a neighboring, participating state.

The UCR fee structure is listed below:

	1-2 trucks: $39.00 3-5 trucks: $116.00 6-20 trucks: $231.00	21-100 trucks: $806.00 101-1000 trucks: $3,840.00 1001 or more - $37,500.00
UCR Fee is based on number of trucks and company owned equipment (i.e. trailers)
*Brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies must pay a $39 fee unless they operate as motor carriers

Even if your base state is not participating, you will still need to file with a participating state. Furthermore, states may join the UCR Program at a future point in time. Currently, the following states are not participating: Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wyoming.

When will the UCR take place?
The states implemented the UCR program on September 10, 2007. If you have not already received a UCR bill from your state, you will receive one soon. However, the states do not have to send you a UCR bill. In fact, you may never even receive a UCR notice. The UCR Board recommended for states to begin its UCR enforcement on November 15, 2007. However, this is not a “firm” enforcement date. States, at their own discretion, can begin enforcing its UCR prior to November 15, 2007, which some states are now doing. As a result, it is extremely important for your company to pay its UCR fees as soon as possible.

A list of important UCR deadlines is detailed below:

September 10, 2007—UCR registration implemented. Applications and fees will be accepted by the states. States will send out 2007 UCR notices.

November 14, 2007—Last day of registration period. UCR fees for 2007 will need to be paid by this date.

November 15, 2007*—UCR “proposed” enforcement begins. Companies will be subject to state and DOT fines for failure to comply with 2007 UCR registration.

*Some states may begin enforcing the UCR prior to this date.
The 2008 UCR Registration begins Jan. 1, 2008 and runs through Dec. 31, 2008

What if I don’t pay the UCR fee?
Failure to pay your UCR fee will hurt your business. If you cross into a UCR participating state without having paid your UCR fee, the state and its USDOT officers will pull your trucks immediately off the road. They will not release your trucks until your UCR fees are paid. You will also be subject to additional fines and penalties. The damage and cost to your business will be detrimental. Why risk hurting a customer relationship or subject your business to an unnecessary claim by not paying your UCR? Complying with the UCR legal requirement will help you avoid serious harm to your business and your customers.

When will I get my UCR fee notice?
You may or may not get a notice! Your UCR participating state may elect not to remit any notices, or you may reside in a non-participating state. However, from the states’ perspective, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You are still expected to pay your UCR fee, regardless if you ever received a UCR notice. For the most part states are relying on you and Process Service Agencies to inform you of your pending UCR fees. UCR is a yearly registration. Please contact us to find out the current year registration time line.

Does the new UCR program require me to have a BOC-3?
No, the new UCR program does not currently require all transportation companies to have a BOC-3 (designation of process service). Currently, only for-hire carriers, freight forwarders, and transportation brokers are legally required to have a BOC-3 filing. Although the new UCR program does not require you to obtain a BOC-3, it may be more convenient and helpful for you to have your BOC-3 filed by Logistec. Our BOC-3 process service program will provide you with informative updates concerning state and federal transportation requirements, free USDOT updates, and unlimited transportation consultation.

For answers to commonly-asked UCR questions, please click here.

As your process service company, Logistec can make this process less stressful and simpler for you. We can process your UCR application for a low fee of $75. In addition to our online UCR application, we also have an online BOC-3 application for your convenience. For more information, please feel free to contact us.