Truckers Brace for 20% UCR Fee Spike Up to $9,329
Published Date: 9/1/2026
Rule
Summary
FMCSA amends the regulations governing the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement registration fees that participating States collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. On September 18, 2025, the UCR Board recommended a fee increase for the 2027 registration year and subsequent registration years. This recommended increase averages 20 percent over the fee structure adopted for 2025 and retained for 2026, with varying increases ranging between $9 and $9,329 per entity, depending on the applicable fee bracket. Although the fees for registration year 2027 are increased, they are less than those in effect during registration years 2019 through 2022. FMCSA adopts the recommended fee increase.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
UCR registration fees rise ~20%
If you are a motor carrier, motor private carrier of property, broker, freight forwarder, or leasing company, annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fees are increased for the 2027 registration year and subsequent years. FMCSA adopts a Board-recommended increase that averages 20 percent over the 2025 fee structure, with increases ranging between $9 and $9,329 per entity.
Fee hike covers $21.79M shortfall
FMCSA says the 2027 fee increase is intended to cover a projected $21.79 million shortfall and meet a statutory overall revenue requirement of $118 million. The agency adopted the increase to ensure participating States receive their fixed statutory entitlements.
Small carriers: small annual increases
If you operate one of the smallest motor carriers, your UCR fee increase is small: the smallest entities see about a $9 annual increase and the next bracket about $29. FMCSA states the increase equates to roughly $9.41 per vehicle for the smallest carriers and estimates per-truck registration costs for those carriers at about $54.11 to $55.67 per truck in 2027.
Freight brokers set in smallest bracket
By statute, freight brokers pay the fee listed for the smallest UCR fee bracket; FMCSA states it has no authority to move freight brokers into larger fee brackets. That statutory rule remains in place under this final rule.
FMCSA: not a significant small-entity burden
FMCSA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, stating the fee increase is less than one percent of the revenues or costs of small motor carriers. FMCSA also treats these fee increases as transfer payments under OMB Circular A-4.
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