UCR Registration: Who Must Register and the 2027 Fee Brackets
Unified Carrier Registration is a yearly fee based on fleet size. The 2027 brackets went into effect October 1, 2026, about 20 percent higher than 2026.
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is an annual federal registration and fee that interstate motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies must pay before January 1 of each year. As of November 2026, the 2027 fee for a carrier with 0 to 2 commercial motor vehicles is $55, up from $46 for 2026. Larger fleets pay more by bracket.
Who must register for UCR?
UCR applies to companies that operate in interstate or international commerce. The registrant types are:
- for-hire motor carriers, including owner-operators with their own authority;
- private motor carriers that haul their own goods across state lines;
- exempt for-hire carriers, such as those hauling exempt agricultural products;
- brokers and freight forwarders; and
- leasing companies that lease vehicles to carriers.
Carriers that operate only within one state are not covered. An owner-operator leased to a carrier and running under that carrier’s USDOT number and authority does not register separately; the carrier counts the truck in its own fleet. Carriers based in states that do not take part in the UCR agreement still register through the national system.
How much is the UCR fee for 2027?
The fee depends on the number of commercial motor vehicles a company owns or operates. These are the brackets published by the UCR Plan, with the 2027 fees in effect since October 1, 2026:
| Bracket | Vehicles | 2026 fee | 2027 fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 0 to 2 | $46 | $55 |
| B2 | 3 to 5 | $138 | $167 |
| B3 | 6 to 20 | $276 | $333 |
| B4 | 21 to 100 | $963 | $1,163 |
| B5 | 101 to 1,000 | $4,592 | $5,548 |
| B6 | 1,001 or more | $44,836 | $54,165 |
Brokers and leasing companies with no vehicles pay the B1 fee: $55 for 2027. The full table is on the UCR Plan fee brackets page. Fees are set by FMCSA rule on the recommendation of the UCR Board, so they can change from year to year.
How do I count my vehicles for UCR?
For UCR, a commercial motor vehicle is a self-propelled or towed vehicle used in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight of 10,001 pounds or more, or one designed to carry passengers or hazardous materials as defined in the rules. Trailers are not counted. You can use either of two counts:
- the number of commercial motor vehicles on your most recent Form MCS-150 filed with FMCSA; or
- the number you owned or operated during the 12 months ending June 30 of the year before the registration year.
Count trucks you lease and operate under your authority. If your MCS-150 is out of date, update it, because it also drives your listing in FMCSA systems. The MCS-150 update is part of the steps in our guide to USDOT numbers and operating authority.
What does the UCR fee pay for?
UCR fees go to the states that take part in the UCR agreement and to the plan’s own administration. The system was created by the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 and replaced the older Single State Registration System, under which carriers bought stamps state by state. Participating states use their share largely for motor carrier safety programs and enforcement.
Each year’s fees are calculated so that total collections cover what the participating states are owed. When collections run over or under that target, the UCR Board recommends lower or higher fees for a later year, and FMCSA adopts them by rule. That is how the 2027 brackets came to be about 20 percent above 2026.
When is UCR due and how is it enforced?
Registration and payment for a year must be complete before January 1 of that year. Registration for 2027 opened October 1, 2026, and closes December 31, 2026 for on-time filing. After January 1 the fee is still due, and a company that has not registered can face state enforcement, including citations and fines at roadside inspections.
UCR status is tied to your USDOT number, so an officer can check it during an inspection. New carriers must register before they begin interstate operations, even if they start mid-year.
How do I register for UCR?
- Go to the National Registration System at ucr.gov. Watch for look-alike sites that charge extra service fees.
- Enter your USDOT number. The system pulls your company details from FMCSA records.
- Choose the registrant type and enter your vehicle count.
- Pay the bracket fee online.
- Save the receipt. The record updates online, so there is no decal or cab card.
The UCR help line is 1-833-827-7526.
Bottom line
The 2027 increase adds $9 for the smallest carriers but $200 for a fleet of 21 to 100 trucks, so mid-size fleets feel it most. Carriers near a bracket line can check whether the MCS-150 count or the June 30 count puts them in the lower bracket, since the rules allow either. UCR is separate from the IRS Form 2290 heavy vehicle use tax and from IFTA fuel tax.
FAQ
Do I need UCR if I only drive in one state?
No. UCR covers interstate and international operations. A carrier that never leaves its state and does not haul goods moving in interstate commerce is not required to register.
Does a freight broker pay UCR?
Yes. Brokers and freight forwarders register every year and pay the lowest bracket fee, $55 for 2027, unless they also operate trucks.
Is UCR the same as my MC number?
No. Operating authority is granted once by FMCSA, while UCR is a separate annual fee paid through ucr.gov. Both are tied to your USDOT number.
What happens if I miss the UCR deadline?
You still owe the fee and should register right away. Until you do, states can cite you at roadside, and some apply penalties under their own laws.
