How UCR works
The Unified Carrier Registration program is a cooperative fee collection system across 41 participating states. Every interstate motor carrier, broker, freight forwarder, and leasing company must register annually and pay a fee based on fleet size. The fee ranges from about $59 for 0–2 vehicles up to $57,000 for fleets of 1,001+ vehicles (2026 rates).
The registration window opens October 1 and closes December 31 for the following year. Carriers who miss the deadline can still register late but face roadside citations in participating states — fines typically run $100–$500 per violation.
Where carriers go wrong
UCR is easy to forget because it's annual (not biennial like MCS-150), cheap relative to other compliance costs, and doesn't get renewal reminders from FMCSA. Many carriers miss it the first year after getting authority because they weren't told about it during initial registration.
The lookup below shows whether UCR is current for any DOT number, which year the registration is valid for, and how many days remain in the current enforcement window. If it shows "not registered," the carrier is vulnerable to a citation on the next roadside inspection.
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Start MonitoringFrequently asked questions
When is UCR due each year?
Registration for the upcoming year opens October 1 of the current year and closes December 31. Late registration is allowed through March, but roadside citations can be issued starting January 1.
How much is UCR?
Based on fleet size. 0–2 vehicles: ~$59/year. 3–5: ~$176. 6–20: ~$351. 21–100: ~$1,224. 101–1000: ~$5,835. 1001+: ~$56,977. Rates are set annually by the UCR Board.
Which states enforce UCR?
41 of 50 participate. Non-participating states (Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Wyoming) don't enforce at roadside but carriers based there still owe the fee if they operate interstate.
Can I pay for multiple years at once?
No. UCR is year-by-year. This is the part most carriers dislike — it's easy to forget. Automated reminders are the most reliable fix.