No Delay: UCR Compliance Starts January 1

Guidance issued this week urges states to begin enforcement January 1 for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) 2026 registration year.

Enforcement officials verify compliance with UCR during roadside inspections. A violation appears on the Driver/Vehicle Examination Report as “392.2 UCR - Failure to pay UCR fees.”

Officials verify compliance via CVIEW, SAFER, or www.ucr.gov/enforcement. No UCR credential must be carried in the commercial motor vehicle.

You can still get checked for last year

During roadside inspections, enforcement officials may look for evidence of interstate or international operations during the past registration year. Proof may include:

• Log entries,
• Toll receipts,
• Shipping papers,
• Bills of lading,
• Previous year’s apportioned receipt, and
• Prior roadside inspection reports of interstate or international operations.

Who’s covered?

The program applies to all motor carriers that operate in interstate and international commerce. This includes:

• For-hire, private, and exempt carriers;
• Brokers;
• Freight forwarders; and
• Leasing companies.

Carriers based in Canada or Mexico that operate in the U.S. must also register under the program.

Who’s exempt?

Carriers not subject to UCR include:

• Motor carriers that operate only in intrastate commerce. These carriers do not:
  • Handle interstate or international freight, or
  • Make interstate or international movements.
• Private motor carriers of passengers. These private carriers transport passengers as part of a commercial enterprise. The transport service is not available to the public at large.

Key to remember: Carriers subject to UCR must register and pay by January 1. There is no grace period for compliance.