Time is ticking! You only have until December 31, 2025, to complete your 2026 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) filing.
All DOT-regulated companies with drivers who will cross state lines in 2026 need to purchase an updated UCR registration. It’s only one of the many annual DOT compliance requirements you need to meet strict federal regulations.
If you want to make sure you’ve completed all your yearly DOT compliance requirements, download our free guide. It’s the complete guide to UCR filings, MVR checks, and DOT Clearinghouse queries — all of which you must take care of before the end of 2025.
Even though the window to file your UCR is closing soon, you may still have some questions about it. Below, we answer the following:
Do I have to file a UCR every year?
Can I purchase a multi-year UCR filing?
What if I didn’t purchase a UCR last year?
What happens if I don’t update my UCR?
How much does a UCR cost?
Where can I file my UCR?
Keep reading to find out what you need to know about UCR filings so your business can operate compliantly in 2026.
Because it is an annual registration, motor carriers are required to purchase a UCR at the end of every calendar year to follow DOT compliance regulations. Although the registration process was plagued by delays for a few years, registration is on track for 2026. If you operate as an interstate motor carrier and are operating next year, you’ll need to purchase a UCR.
If your business was operational this year and it didn’t have a UCR, you’ll need to pay those registration fees during your filing this year as well. If you order your UCR filing through Foley, you can purchase both a 2024 and 2025 UCR during the checkout process so you don't face any issues with UCR enforcement in the new year.
Any carrier caught operating without a valid UCR will be subject to fines as high as $5,000, depending on the state where you live and if you’re a first-time offender. Some enforcement officials will also detain your vehicle if you’re caught driving over state lines.
The cost of your 2026 UCR will depend on how many trucks your business operates, with the lowest fees charged to carriers with only one or two trucks.
Foley makes it easy to complete your 2026 UCR filing. Please call 860-370-3324 before UCR enforcement begins on January 1st, and one of our compliance specialists will take care of this annual DOT compliance requirement for you.