New UCR Fees Raise 2027 Costs for Trucking Companies

Trucking companies and owner-operators operating in interstate commerce will pay higher Unified Carrier Registration fees (UCR fees) in 2027. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published the new fee schedule in a final rule on September 1, 2026.

The new UCR fees represent an average increase of 20% from the amounts charged for the 2025 and 2026 registration years. Depending on fleet size, individual increases range from $9 to $9,329.

The final rule takes effect October 1, 2026. It applies to the 2027 UCR registration year and future registration years until another fee adjustment is approved.

UCR Fees Increase Across All Fleet Sizes

UCR fees are divided into six brackets based on the number of commercial motor vehicles a company owns or operates. Companies with larger fleets pay higher registration fees.

The smallest bracket covers companies with zero to two commercial vehicles. That fee will increase from $46 to $55. This represents a $9 annual increase for many owner-operators and small carriers.

The 2027 UCR fee schedule includes:

• Zero to two vehicles: $55, up from $46. This is a $9 increase.
• Three to five vehicles: $167, up from $138. This is a $29 increase.
• Six to 20 vehicles: $333, up from $276. This is a $57 increase.
• 21 to 100 vehicles: $1,163, up from $963. This is a $200 increase.
• 101 to 1,000 vehicles: $5,548, up from $4,592. This is a $956 increase.
• 1,001 vehicles or more: $54,165, up from $44,836. This is a $9,329 increase.

Brokers and leasing companies do not pay according to fleet size. Their annual UCR fees will rise from $46 to $55.

Who Must Pay the Higher UCR Fees?

The Unified Carrier Registration program applies to businesses involved in interstate or international commerce. Covered entities include motor carriers, private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and commercial vehicle leasing companies.

An owner-operator working under an independent operating authority may be responsible for completing the registration and paying the fee. However, the rule does not impose a separate personal charge on every company driver.

Motor carriers generally determine their fee bracket using the number of commercial vehicles listed in their most recent federal registration records. Certain adjustments may apply when a carrier’s current fleet differs from the federal information.

The UCR Agreement includes 41 participating states. However, carriers may still be required to register even when their principal place of business is in a state that does not participate. Registration obligations are connected to interstate operations, not simply to whether the carrier’s home state belongs to the agreement.

Why FMCSA Approved the Increase

The UCR Plan Board recommended the higher fees in September 2025. The Board said an adjustment was necessary because projected collections would not provide the revenue authorized for participating states and the UCR Plan.

Under federal law, the Board reviews collections and recommends changes when expected revenue produces either a shortfall or a surplus. Participating states use UCR revenue to support commercial motor vehicle safety programs and enforcement activities.

FMCSA proposed the increase in April 2026 and accepted public comments before issuing the final rule. The agency ultimately adopted the Board’s recommended amounts without changing the six existing fleet brackets.

FMCSA said the 2027 UCR fees remain below the registration fees charged from 2019 through 2022. The agency also explained that registration collections can continue after a fee year ends because of late registrations and disputes. This makes it necessary to use projections when preparing future fee schedules.

Small Carriers Raised Concerns About UCR Fees

Several comments submitted during the rulemaking process addressed the effect on small trucking businesses. Some commenters suggested a phased increase or another form of relief for smaller carriers.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association argued that the bracket system can place a disproportionate burden on single-truck operators and small fleets. Because each bracket covers a range of fleet sizes, carriers near the bottom of a bracket can pay more per truck than companies near the top.

FMCSA acknowledged that companies at the lower end of a bracket can have a higher per-vehicle cost. However, the agency noted that federal law limits the UCR system to no more than six fee brackets.

According to FMCSA, the new schedule adds approximately $9.41 per vehicle for carriers at the smallest end of each bracket. The agency estimated that the overall 2027 registration cost will range from about $54.11 to $55.67 per truck for the smallest carriers within each bracket.

FMCSA concluded that the rule will affect a substantial number of small businesses. However, it determined that the annual increases would not create a significant economic impact under federal regulatory standards.

Increase Is Not Scheduled to Repeat Every Year

The final rule does not authorize another 20% increase every year. It establishes one new fee schedule beginning with the 2027 registration year.

Those amounts will remain in place for subsequent years unless FMCSA completes another rulemaking. The UCR Plan Board will continue reviewing revenue collections and may recommend future adjustments based on surpluses or shortfalls.

If collections exceed authorized levels, future fees can be reduced. If collections remain below the required amount, the Board could recommend another increase.

Higher Registration Costs Begin With 2027 UCR Year

The final rule becomes effective October 1, 2026, as the UCR system moves toward the 2027 registration year. Carriers should determine the correct fleet bracket before submitting their registration.

Although the smallest carriers face only a $9 increase, the rule adds another operating expense for owner-operators and trucking companies. The effect grows with fleet size, reaching more than $9,000 for companies in the largest bracket.

The complete fee schedule, FMCSA’s explanation and its responses to public comments are available in the official Federal Register final rule.