2027 UCR Fees Are Going Up 20%: What Trucking Companies Need to Know

UCR registration opened October 1st, and trucking companies are going to pay more this year. FMCSA has approved a new fee schedule that increases UCR fees by an average of about 20%. If you operate a trucking company in interstate commerce, this is something you'll want to take care of before the end of the year. Let's go over what's changing, what you'll pay, and who actually needs to register. UCR stands for Unified Carrier Registration. It's an annual registration requirement that generally applies to motor carriers operating in interstate or international commerce. That includes for-hire trucking companies, private motor carriers, and exempt carriers. Brokers, freight forwarders, and certain leasing companies are also subject to UCR requirements. The UCR registration portal officially opened on October 1st. That means carriers can begin registering immediately. The biggest change this year is the cost. FMCSA approved an average fee increase of approximately 20% compared with the fees charged in 2026. For companies with 0 to 2 commercial motor vehicles, the UCR fee increases from $46 to $55. For fleets with 3 to 5 vehicles, the fee increases from $138 to $167. For fleets with 6 to 20 vehicles, the fee increases to $333. For companies with 21 to 100 vehicles, the fee increases to $1,163. Larger fleets will see bigger dollar increases. Companies with 101 to 1,000 vehicles will pay $5,548, and companies with more than 1,000 vehicles will pay $54,165. Brokers and leasing companies that are subject to UCR but do not operate commercial motor vehicles generally pay the lowest fee bracket, which will be $55 for 2027. Remember that the UCR fee is based on the applicable commercial motor vehicle bracket. Trailers aren't counted as CMVs when determining your UCR fleet size bracket. Another important point is that UCR isn't just for traditional for-hire trucking companies. Private carriers operating in interstate commerce can also be required to register. On the other hand, a company operating exclusively in intrastate commerce generally isn't subject to UCR. Private passenger carriers are also among the exceptions. If you're unsure whether your operation is required to register, The UCR Plan has an online eligibility tool that can help you determine whether the requirement applies to your company. So, when is the actual deadline? If you're subject to UCR, your 2027 registration should be completed and paid before January 1st, 2027. After January 1st, the fee doesn't disappear. You still owe the registration fee, and an unregistered carrier can become subject to state enforcement action. And don't assume this is something that will never be checked. UCR compliance can be verified electronically by enforcement personnel, and the UCR Plan conducts enforcement awareness initiatives with participating states. There's also no UCR decal that needs to be displayed on the truck, and drivers aren't required to carry a UCR credential in the vehicle. Compliance can be verified electronically. One other reminder: make sure you're registering through the official UCR system. Motor carriers regularly receive third-party registration solicitations, So know who you're paying before entering your company or payment information. For most trucking companies, this is a relatively simple annual compliance item, but it's also an easy one to forget, especially during the busy 4th quarter. The 2027 UCR registration portal opened October 1st, the fees are increasing, and registration should be completed before January 1st. At MySafetyManager, we help trucking companies stay ahead of DOT compliance requirements, like UCR, driver qualification, drug and alcohol testing, hours of service, ELD monitoring, CSA performance, and more. Please like and subscribe for practical trucking compliance updates that help keep your company moving.