UCR – Unified Carrier Registration
What is UCR?
In 2005, Congress passed a law creating the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program mandate for all commercial carriers. UCR replaced the Single State Registration System (SSRS) and is similar because it is a base-state system, which means the carrier pays UCR fees through its base state on behalf of all other participating states.
UCR requires individuals and companies that operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate or international commerce or individuals or companies that make the arrangements for the transportation of cargo and goods, register their businesses, and pay an annual fee based on their fleet size.
Who needs a UCR?
A “Commercial Motor Vehicle” is defined as a self-propelled or towed vehicle used on the highways in commerce principally to transport passengers or cargo if the vehicle:
- Has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed to transport 10 or more passengers (including the driver)
- Is transporting hazardous materials in quantity requiring placarding.
- Intrastate passenger carriers are not exempt from registering with the United Carrier Registration program.