The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program is a federally mandated, annual state administered registration program.

Motor carriers, motor private carriers, freight forwarders, leasing companies and brokers based in the United States, Canada, Mexico, or any other country that operate in interstate or international commerce in the United States must register under the UCR program.
The UCR program is a base state system under which a carrier pays UCR fees through its base state on behalf of all participating states.

Entities not required to register under the program include are USDOT registrants that do not have interstate operating authority and intrastate carriers that do not transport freight across state lines.

UCR is the annual registration system for interstate motor carriers - regulated for-hire, exempt for-hire and private carriers.  The UCR system additionally includes interstate freight forwarders, brokers and leasing companies.  UCR replaces the Single State Registration System (SSRS) D-1 cab cards or bingo stamps.

Who Must File a UCR?

• Motor carriers providing motor vehicle transportation in interstate commerce for compensation;
• Motor private carrier (other than a motor carrier) transporting property when the carrier is the owner or lessee of the property being transported and the property is being transported for sale, lease or rent.
• Brokers; Freight Forwarders; or Leasing Companies
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--New Mexico requires any motor carrier with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 26,001 lbs or more to obtain a New Mexico Weight Distance Permit.

--Kentucky requires any motor carrier with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 60,000 lbs or more to obtain a KYU#.