UCR Requirements for Interstate Carriers Based in New York

Dec. 27, 2025, 11:21 a.m.
If you operate a trucking or commercial motor carrier business from New York and run interstate routes (across state lines), you are subject to the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Program — a federally mandated, state-administered compliance and fee requirement.
UCR in New York

1. What UCR Is and Who Must Comply

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is a national program established to support motor carrier safety and enforcement efforts. It requires interstate motor carriers, motor private carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies that operate commercial motor vehicles across state lines to register annually and pay a fee based on fleet size.

  • “Interstate” carriers are those that transport goods or passengers between states or engage in international commerce.

  • If you are based in New York and operate in more than one state, you must register annually under the UCR program.

2. UCR Registration Requirement in NY

Even though New York participates in the UCR agreement, the requirement is federal — meaning all interstate carriers must register whether or not your base state participates in UCR. New York carriers must:

  • Register under the UCR system

  • Pay annual fees determined by the number of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) they operate

  • Renew their UCR registration each year (fees go toward motor carrier safety programs nationwide)

Important: Only the power units (tractors and other self-propelled CMVs) count toward your fleet size — trailers are excluded when calculating your fee bracket.

3. Fee Schedule and Payment

UCR fees are set based on your fleet’s size and are due by December 31 of the current year for the upcoming registration year. For example, 2026 UCR registration opened October 1, 2025, and payments must be submitted before year’s end to ensure compliance by January 1, 2026.

Typical fee brackets (based on number of CMVs):

  • 0–2 vehicles – lowest fee

  • 3–5 vehicles – moderate fee

  • 6–20 vehicles – mid-tier fee

  • 21–100 vehicles – higher fee

  • 101–1,000 vehicles – elevated fee

  • 1,001+ vehicles – top tier fee

Exact fees change annually and may differ for carriers versus brokers and leasing companies — check the official UCR site or the New York DOT UCR page for the current year’s rates.

4. How to Register

New York carriers must register through the https://www.fmcsa.me/

  1.  Go to https://www.fmcsa.me/

  2.  Input your USDOT #.

  3. Pay the fee online before the December 31 deadline

  4. Retain your payment confirmation for compliance records

There is no physical UCR credential that must be carried on the truck — enforcement agents verify compliance electronically through systems like SAFER or CVIEW during inspections.

5. Enforcement and Penalties

States, including New York, enforce UCR compliance beginning January 1 of the registration year. If you operate interstate without current UCR registration and payment, carriers can face citations under FMCSA rules (e.g., CFR 392.2 — failure to pay UCR fees) during roadside inspections.

  • No credential is required onboard — but enforcement verification is electronic.

  • Noncompliance may result in fines or safety violations during inspections.

6. Exceptions & Special Cases

While most interstate carriers must register and pay UCR fees, certain types of operations may be exempt, such as strictly intrastate carriers — those that operate only within New York and not across state lines. However, if your operations ever cross state borders, UCR applies.

7. Summary Checklist for NY Interstate Carriers

Before your next interstate trip, make sure you:

 Register annually under the UCR program at UCR.gov
 Report number of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)
 Pay the correct UCR fee based on fleet size
 Submit payment before December 31 for next year’s compliance
 Retain confirmation and keep your FMCSA databases (e.g., USDOT) up-to-date

 

https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/osss/truck/unified-carrier-reg