2026 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Fees Remain the Same
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has confirmed that UCR fees for 2026 will remain unchanged from 2025. That means motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies can plan ahead with confidence, knowing their costs will stay steady. Below, we’ve outlined the 2025–2026 fees, explained how the structure works, and highlighted key dates to help you stay compliant.
Below is a comparison of the 2025–2026 fees alongside prior years for reference:
| Number of Power Units | 2025–2026 | 2024 | 2023 | 2020–2022 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | $46 | $37 | $41 | $59 | $68 |
| 3–5 | $138 | $111 | $121 | $176 | $204 |
| 6–20 | $276 | $221 | $242 | $351 | $407 |
| 21–100 | $963 | $769 | $844 | $1,224 | $1,420 |
| 101–1,000 | $4,592 | $3,670 | $4,024 | $5,835 | $6,766 |
| 1,001+ | $44,836 | $35,836 | $39,289 | $56,977 | $66,072 |
How the Fee Structure Works
- UCR fees are based on the number of power units a carrier operates.
- Fees are not per vehicle, but rather assessed by fleet size, with all carriers in the same bracket paying the same amount nationwide.
- Brokers, leasing companies, and freight forwarders with no commercial motor vehicles fall into the lowest fee tier.
- Carriers not required to have a USDOT number also pay the lowest tier.
- Annual adjustments are made by the FMCSA following recommendations from the UCR Board of Directors.
Why Fees Stay the Same in 2026
UCR fees are designed to balance the revenue needed to cover state payments and administrative costs.
- If there’s a shortfall, fees increase the following year.
- If there’s a surplus, fees are reduced.
- For 2026, collections matched requirements, so fees will stay flat.
Who Must File Under UCR
The UCR program applies to most entities involved in interstate commerce, including:
- Private property carriers
- For-hire passenger and property carriers
- Exempt commodity carriers
- Freight forwarders
- Leasing companies
- Brokers
Canadian and Mexican carriers operating in the U.S. are also subject to UCR registration.
Key Dates to Remember
- UCR Filing Opens: October 1, 2025
- Deadline to File: December 31, 2025
- Action Item: Budget the same UCR fee you paid for 2025.
How DOT Compliance Group Can Help
At DOT Compliance Group, we make UCR compliance simple. Our team:
- Manages your initial registration and annual renewals.
- Ensures your filing is submitted accurately and on time.
- Helps keep your fleet fully compliant so you can stay on the road without the stress of missing a filing.