Are You Ready to Buy Your 2027 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)?

As fall approaches, fleet managers should begin preparing for the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) period, which opens on October 1, 2026, for the 2027 registration year, and ends December 31, 2026. Enforcement begins on January 1, 2027.

Companies looking to get a jump on registration, however, can begin the process early by working through a trusted compliance partner. In fact, UCR filing through Foley is already open.

Do I need to purchase a UCR for 2027?

If you plan to operate as an interstate motor carrier in 2027, you'll need to purchase a new Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) before January 1, 2027. The UCR is an annual requirement, and registration is expected to be on schedule for the 2027 season.

Frequently Asked Questions About UCRs

• What are UCR fees used for? UCR fees are used by each state to help train DOT officers and enforce DOT safety regulations.
• Can I buy a multi-year UCR? No, UCRs are issued annually for the upcoming year only. There are currently no plans to offer multi-year registrations.
• What if I didn't have a UCR in 2026? If you operated in 2026 without a UCR, you'll need to pay the registration fees for that year as well. When ordering through Foley, you can purchase both 2026 and 2027 UCRs during checkout.
• What are the consequences of not updating my UCR? Operating without a valid UCR can result in fines of up to $2,000, depending on the state, and may lead to vehicle detention during interstate travel.

UCR Fees for 2027

The FMCSA has proposed a 20% increase in UCR fees for 2027, ranging from $9 to $9,329 per entity depending on fleet size — a move that was met with some backlash, as we reported here. The cost of your 2027 UCR will depend on the number of trucks your business operates. Carriers with 1-2 trucks will be charged the lowest fees, and rates increase as the number of vehicles in your fleet grows.

How to Renew Your UCR

Foley will keep you updated on the latest UCR news, including registration timelines and procedures. If you have questions or need assistance, call (800) 253-5506.

Let Foley Help You with Your Ongoing DOT Compliance Needs

Keeping track of all the various renewals the FMCSA requires gets tougher to manage as your fleet grows, which means critical items can too easily fall through the cracks, like annual UCRs, medical cards, and annual driver MVRs.

But when you partner with Foley, our DOT compliance software monitors everything for you and alerts you when you need to act.

See it in action for yourself. Request a demo and learn how our software simplifies DOT compliance.

The information contained herein is for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any information provided herein.