New for 2027: fees rise an average of 20% from 2026. The smallest bracket goes from $46 to $55 (FMCSA final rule, effective October 1, 2026).
Who has to register
UCR applies to businesses that operate in interstate commerce (49 U.S.C. 14504a):
- For-hire motor carriers, including carriers whose freight is exempt from operating authority.
- Private carriers that haul their own goods across state lines.
- Brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies.
"Interstate" includes a trip within one state when the load itself is moving across state or national lines, for example a haul to a port or airport. A purely intrastate operation does not register. When you're unsure, answer the UCR Plan's questionnaire.
Even a carrier with only light vehicles registers if it has an MC number. It normally pays the lowest fee.
UCR fees for 2027
| Vehicles owned or operated | 2027 fee | 2026 fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | $55 | $46 |
| 3 to 5 | $167 | $138 |
| 6 to 20 | $333 | $276 |
| 21 to 100 | $1,163 | $963 |
| 101 to 1,000 | $5,548 | $4,592 |
| 1,001 or more | $54,165 | $44,836 |
| Any broker or leasing company | $55 | $46 |
Carriers and freight forwarders pay by bracket. The fees come from the UCR Plan and 49 CFR 367.50.
How to count your vehicles
The law gives you two ways to count (49 U.S.C. 14504a(f)(3)):
- the number of commercial motor vehicles on your most recently filed MCS-150, or
- the total you owned or operated in the 12 months ending June 30, 2026.
A vehicle counts if it's registered in your name or you control it under a long-term lease. You may leave out vehicles used only in intrastate transportation of property, waste or recyclables. Because UCR can use the count on your MCS-150, keeping your MCS-150 current matters here too.
How to register
- Have your USDOT number ready, and your vehicle count for the bracket.
- Go to the official site, ucr.gov. Type the address yourself.
- Confirm your base state. That's normally the state of your principal place of business. If that state doesn't take part in UCR, you name another state where you have an office or operating facility.
- Pay the fee for your bracket and keep the receipt.
You can register yourself. Third-party sites can also do it for you, but they add their own charge on top of the fee in the table above.
If you miss the deadline
From January 1, operating in interstate commerce without a current UCR registration can get you stopped and fined at a roadside inspection. The participating states enforce UCR and set the penalties, so they vary by state. If you're late, register straight away at ucr.gov.
Remember it every year
UCR comes round every autumn, alongside your biennial update, IFTA, Form 2290 and IRP. A plan emails you 30 and 7 days before each deadline for every carrier you track.
Questions
When is UCR due for 2027?
Registration for 2027 opened October 1, 2026. Register and pay before January 1, 2027 to keep operating legally in interstate commerce.
How much is UCR for 2027?
From $55 for 0 to 2 vehicles (and for every broker and leasing company) up to $54,165 for 1,001 or more. That is about 20% more than 2026. See the UCR fee brackets.
Do I need UCR if I only drive in my own state?
Not if your operation is purely intrastate. If what you carry is crossing state or national lines at any point in its journey, even before you pick it up or after you drop it off, it counts as interstate. The UCR questionnaire walks through the cases.
Is UCR the same as my USDOT number or MC number?
No. UCR is a separate annual registration with its own fee, run by the participating states. You need your USDOT number to register.
Do brokers and freight forwarders register?
Yes. Brokers and leasing companies pay the lowest fee, $55 for 2027. Freight forwarders pay by the number of vehicles they own or operate, like carriers.
Does UCR renew automatically?
No, it is a new registration every year. The UCR Plan offers an auto-renewal option for carriers already registered, which uses the power units on your current MCS-150, so keep that form up to date.
Sources
- UCR Plan: Fee brackets for 2026 and 2027
- FMCSA final rule, Fees for the UCR Plan and Agreement, 91 FR 56063 (September 1, 2026; effective October 1, 2026)
- 49 U.S.C. 14504a, Unified carrier registration
- UCR Plan: Do I need to register?
Last reviewed September 30, 2026.