Who is exempt from UCR Registration

Any business that only arranges transportation by motor vehicle on behalf of shippers is exempt from registering.

Registration under the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) system affects transportation and trucking companies differently, and it pays to understand all the nuances. The UCR intends to ensure compliance with federal operating authority registration requirements and to collect fees from businesses that operate in interstate commerce. Still, not every company must register, and as the transportation and trucking industries can be complex, it only makes sense to look at who is exempt from UCR registration, and, therefore the mandatory registration requirements for certain transportation entities within the industry.

What is UCR?

Carrier Registration first requires businesses –- including individuals who operate as for-hire carrier and that are involved in interstate commerce -- to register their operation with one participating state and to pay an annual fee based on the size of their fleet. This data is then used to support, among other things, safety programs and enforcement activities.

Exemptions from UCR Registration

Everyone is not required to register under the UCR. Knowing these exemptions can avoid unnecessary fees and help to channel resources to the mandates they are absolutely required to comply with.

Purely Intrastate Carriers

Operations that exist only in a single state, travel only within that state, and do not go into another state or country are exempt. This acknowledges that they have a strictly localized nature and that their activity does not have an immediate effect on interstate commerce.

Private Carriers with Non-Commercial Goods

Businesses that transport their own property, provided the service is not established as a “for-hire” motor carrier of regulated property, are exempt. This effectively means that a person, motor carrier of property, or motor private carrier that provides transportation of property in a commercial vehicle using the vehicle to operate exclusively in intrastate commerce is exempt, provided the goods are not arranged for or transported for compensation.

Governmental Entities

Federal, state, and local government entities (including federally recognized Native American tribes) and other persons leasing commercial motor vehicles to them for public purposes are exempt.

Others Exempted

• Congress has granted exemptions from UCR for farm vehicles that are not for hire and are regulated by a state that has in effect an intrastate motor carrier regulation with the UCR Plan. Others exempted from UCR are Interstate Motor Carriers of Property when such carriers are subject to the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 13506(a)(6) (relating to transportation of agricultural commodities and livestock), operators of required to self-insure because they are qualified self-insurer under the Administrator's Determination Complete Review of the Union Pacific Railroad Company on March 4, 2015, motor private carriers of passengers, transportation for a traditional Native American religious ceremony, and recyclable materials. Also exempt from UCR are motor private carriers of passengers and those hauling waste-recyclable raw materials from the pickup site or dealer to a waste-recycling center if required to be designated under Section 102(d) of the Hazardous Material Transportation Act (HMTA).

Seeking Clarification and Assistance

The best way to get clarification or help with navigating the complexities of UCR registration is to seek help or information from a knowledgeable source. FMCSA Registration is that resource. By assisting applicants and those required to comply with UCR Registration on a daily basis, FMCSA Registration can offer ongoing technical advice and support for UCR account management and compliance. Whether call center support for help with your USDOT number, determining UCR exemption or helping out with UCR Registration, FMCSA Registration can help.