For the 2024 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) year, expect to pay around 9 percent less in fees than you paid for 2023. Under a recent final rule, reductions vary between $4 and $3,453 per company, depending on the number of vehicles owned or operated.

The UCR fee structure is a bracket system. Fees are based on the number of vehicles a company owns or operates. The new fees are as follows:

Increased fees expected

These fees will remain in effect after 2024 unless revised by a future rulemaking. Following fee decreases for 2023 and 2024, plan administrators anticipate an increase in fees for 2025. Covered entities can plan for lower UCR fees for the 2024 registration year but expect increases for 2025 and beyond.

Who must file under UCR

The following entities engaged in interstate commerce are subject to annual registration under the UCR program:

• Private property carriers;
• For-hire passenger, property, and exempt commodity carriers;
• Freight forwarders;
• Leasing companies; and
• Brokers.

Carriers domiciled in Canada or Mexico operating in the United States are also subject to UCR registration.

The UCR filing period opens October 1 with registration fees due by December 31 each year.

Key to remember: The UCR enrollment period for 2024 begins October 1, 2023. To continue operating legally, covered entities must register and pay the fee before January 1, 2024.