Carrier Launch KitUCR Registration for New Carriers
Last updated: October 21, 2026 · Sources: UCR Plan fee brackets, 49 CFR Part 367
Quick answer: Interstate carriers register for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) every year and must pay before January 1 of the registration year. The 2027 portal opened October 1, 2026. For 2027, carriers with 0-2 vehicles pay $55. Always confirm current fees at ucr.gov.
Buy the kit, $19 · Free First 30 Days Checklist
2027 fees for carriers (UCR Plan)
| Bracket | Vehicles owned or operated | 2027 fee (carrier) |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | 0-2 | $55 |
| B2 | 3-5 | $167 |
| B3 | 6-20 | $333 |
| B4 | 21-100 | $1,163 |
| B5 | 101-1,000 | $5,548 |
| B6 | 1,001+ | $54,165 |
Source: plan.ucr.gov/fee-brackets, checked Oct 21, 2026; fees also published at 49 CFR 367. Fees change, so confirm current fees at ucr.gov before you pay.
How to register, step by step
- Have your USDOT number and an accurate count of the commercial vehicles you own or operate.
- Go to the official site, ucr.gov (helpline 1-833-UCR-PLAN). Third-party services are optional, so check the web address before you pay.
- Pick your bracket using the vehicle-counting instructions on ucr.gov.
- Pay online and save the receipt in your compliance binder.
- Calendar it: next year's registration typically opens October 1 and is due before January 1.
The kit's 12-month filing calendar has UCR, IFTA quarters, Form 2290 and your MCS-150 month filled in.
Buy the kit, $19Or start with the free First 30 Days Checklist.
Got authority late in the year?
If your authority started this fall, you may need registrations for both the current year and the next one. Check that both show as paid on ucr.gov.
Who needs UCR?
UCR covers motor carriers in interstate commerce, both for-hire and private, along with brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies. If you're not sure whether your operation is interstate, check with your base state's UCR agency.
Never miss a filing in year one. New Authority: First 90 Days kit, $19.
Buy the kit, $19Or get the Free First 30 Days Checklist.
Educational only, not legal or tax advice. Carrier Launch Kit is independent and not affiliated with the UCR Plan, FMCSA or USDOT.
FAQ
When is UCR due? Before January 1 of the registration year. After that, the fee is still due, and a non-registrant can face state enforcement (UCR Plan).
How much is UCR for 1 or 2 trucks in 2027? $55 for carriers in bracket B1 (0-2 vehicles), per the UCR Plan's fee page. Confirm current fees at ucr.gov.
When did 2027 registration open? The 2027 registration portal opened October 1, 2026.
Is UCR the same as the MCS-150 update? No. UCR is an annual fee. The MCS-150 update is a free FMCSA registration update due every 24 months.