For the second year in a row, the Oct. 1 annual registration for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program has been delayed and once again it’s for the same reason. The program has produced revenues greater than allowed by the federal law authorizing it.

In 2018, the result was a 9% decrease in the fees. For 2019, the decrease is anticipated at more than 10%. Until a final rule is published with the new, lower fees, the 2019 UCR registration is not open.

Motor carriers and other companies subject to UCR registration should not take any action at this time. Watch for the final rule in November at the earliest. State enforcement will not begin until 90 days following the final rule.

When the 2019 UCR registration is available, it will be through a new portal, run by UCR itself: www.ucr.gov.  Late registrations for 2018 are still being accepted.

The UCR Act, established by federal law in 2005, requires motor carriers involved in interstate commerce, to submit annual fees based on fleet size to supplement funding for state highway motor carrier registration and safety programs. The act has been amended twice since then, both times in 2008. The UCR program is governed by a board made up of both government and trucking representatives.

You can learn more about program from the UCR website.