Most people might be unfamiliar with UCR.
One of the most frequently asked questions is what in the heck is UCR and do I need it?
UCR or the Unified Carrier Registration is a requirement for any and all companies or individuals that operate commercial vehicles and across state lines or a company that operates passenger vehicles that are designed to carry 9 or more passengers (Including the driver). If they are transporting passengers that are not from the state that they are operating in.
That strikes the question of, what is a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).
Well….
A CMV be federal guidelines it is any vehicle or combination of vehicles that are used in commerce (trying to make money) and have a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of more than 10,000lbs.
Or are being used to transport 9 or more passengers for compensation.
Or if the vehicle is being used to transport any placardable amount of hazardous materials.
You can find the GVWR on the inside of the driver side door on the doorpost. There should be a sticker with the VIN number and the GVWR from the manufacturer.
On trailers, it should be located on the VIN tag that is usually near the front of the trailer and most likely on the tongue or frame of the trailer.
Not all states participate in the UCR program. But this does NOT mean you don’t need to register with UCR.
If your base state (the state your company calls home) does not participate, you’ll be required to register if you are engaging in interstate commerce.
There are 41 states that participate in UCR. The state does NOT participate are:
Oregon, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Vermont, Hawaii, New Jersey, & Maryland.
Please note: All interstate businesses that are located in non-participating states are still subject to UCR.
The next question we often hear here at Eclipse DOT is, “How much do you think I will need to pay?”
Your Unified Carrier Registration fee is based upon the size of your fleet and is determined by the UCR board policies and procedures.
Don’t be alarmed if you have to pay more or less than you did last year! The fee is subject to change annually and as we mentioned before it is determined by the UCR.
Got to love the government and their ever-loving need to change things constantly…
“We already pay so many fees and registrations, what might happen if we chose to not pay for this UCR process and hope we do not get audited or caught?”
Well, let me tell you, it ain’t good!
Failing to register and fulfil your UCR fee can result in fines up to $5,000. They can also impound your vehicles.
So, to answer your question, not only will you have to pay fines for not filing your UCR, but you might also have to pay fines to get your vehicles out of the impound yard.
And
You will also be losing any money you could be making while you work hard on getting your vehicles back from the government.
In not so many words, it is always in your best interest to abide by the laws.
Even if we don’t necessarily agree with them.
So if you want help getting your UCR all taken care of, let us know and our team will do our best to keep you on track.
Our goal is to keep you on the road.
That’s the whole reason we are here, to make your life simpler and to take the complexity out of compliance.
