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UCR registration 2027: who must register and fees by fleet size

Short answerUnified Carrier Registration (UCR) is a yearly federal-state registration and fee for companies operating in interstate commerce, including for-hire and private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies. Carriers that operate only within one state are not required to register. For the 2027 registration year, which opened October 1, 2026, the fee is $55 for 0 to 2 vehicles and rises by fleet size, and it must be paid before January 1, 2027.

Who has to register

The UCR Plan says the agreement covers interstate for-hire motor carriers of property or passengers, and interstate private carriers of property. Brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies register too. The UCR Plan also notes that a business with a federal MC number must register even if its vehicles are lightweight.

Not required:

Carriers engaged only in intrastate commerce, meaning goods or passengers moved within a single state.
Private carriers of passengers.

Use the questionnaire at plan.ucr.gov/do-i-need-to-register if you aren't sure.

2027 fees by fleet size

As of October 2026, the UCR Plan lists these 2027 fees for motor carriers and freight forwarders:

0 to 2 vehicles: $55 (also the broker and leasing company fee)
3 to 5 vehicles: $167
6 to 20 vehicles: $333
21 to 100 vehicles: $1,163
101 to 1,000 vehicles: $5,548
1,001 or more: $54,165

For comparison, 2026 fees were $46, $138, $276, $963, $4,592 and $44,836.

When it opens and when it's due

The UCR Plan says the 2027 registration portal opened October 1, 2026, and 2027 fees took effect that day. Registration and payment must be completed before January 1 of the registration year. You register at ucr.gov through the National Registration System.

How the fleet count works

The UCR Plan says fees are based on the total number of commercial motor vehicles operated, using the prior year's count. Changes during the year aren't reported until the following year. If you're between brackets, check the UCR Handbook or your state's UCR agency before you pay.

Nothing to put on the truck

The UCR Plan says you are not required to carry proof of UCR in the vehicle; carrying a receipt is optional. There's no UCR decal. What the truck does need is the 49 CFR 390.21T marking: your legal or single trade name and USDOT number on both sides, readable from 50 feet. See USDOT truck lettering.