Who Must Register Under the UCR Program

Nov. 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Here’s a clear summary of who must register under the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Program in the USA, along with the key definitions and exemptions.
UCR Online

Who Must Register

If you fall into one of the following categories, you are required to register under UCR for the registration year:

  • All motor carriers (for-hire, private, exempt) that operate in interstate or international commerce.  

  • Freight forwarders: entities that arrange for transportation of cargo by motor carrier and assume responsibility for the shipment from receipt to destination. 

  • Brokers: those who (for compensation) arrange for motor carrier transportation of goods for others.  

  • Leasing companies that lease or rent trucks (motor vehicles) without drivers to interstate motor carriers or freight forwarders. 

  • Carriers based in Canada or Mexico (or other foreign carriers) that operate in interstate or international commerce in the U.S. 

 Important Definitions & Conditions

  • A motor carrier (property or passenger) is a person or company providing transportation of goods or people by motor vehicle on the highways for compensation (for-hire) or transporting their own goods (private) when in interstate commerce.  

  • A vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) when: it is self-propelled, used in commerce for transport of passengers or cargo, and meets at least one of these criteria:

    • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater.  

    • Is designed to carry more than 10 passengers (including driver) in commerce.  

    • Transports hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.  

 Who Is Not Required to Register

Some entities are exempt and do not have to register under UCR, including:

  • Entities operating solely intrastate (i.e., they do not cross state lines or engage in interstate/foreign commerce). 

  • Private motor carriers of passengers (when they transport their own employees or goods, not for hire) may be exempt.  

  • Some agricultural carriers, farm vehicles under certain conditions, and other narrow categories.  

 Why This Matters

Failing to register when required can result in enforcement actions during roadside inspections, citations (e.g., FMCSA 49 CFR violation 392.2 “Failure to pay UCR fees”).  
Registration ensures the carrier is contributing to safety programs and states’ enforcement funding under the UCR Agreement.