FMCSA Increases UCR Fees by 20% for 2027

Updated: September 1, 2026 at 12:40 PM

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has finalized a new Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fee schedule that will increase registration costs by an average of 20% for the 2027 registration year. The higher UCR fees take effect October 1, 2026, when advance registration for the 2027 fee year can begin.

For owner-operators and small fleets, the dollar increase is relatively modest. Carriers in the smallest fee bracket will pay $55 for 2027, up from $46 for 2026. Larger fleets will see significantly higher increases based on the number of commercial motor vehicles they operate.

2027 UCR Fees: What Carriers Will Pay

FMCSA’s final rule increases all six UCR fee brackets. The amount a motor carrier pays is based on fleet size.

Fleet Size	2026 UCR Fee	2027 UCR Fee	Increase
0–2	$46	$55	$9
3–5	$138	$167	$29
6–20	$276	$333	$57
21–100	$963	$1,163	$200
101–1,000	$4,592	$5,548	$956
1,001 or more	$44,836	$54,165	$9,329

The increase averages approximately 20% compared with the fee schedule used for both 2025 and 2026.

For example, an owner-operator with one truck will move from a $46 annual UCR fee to $55, an increase of $9. A carrier with four trucks will pay $167 instead of $138.

The new fees also apply to other entities covered by the UCR program, including motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies.

Why Are UCR Fees Increasing in 2027?

FMCSA says the higher fees are necessary because the UCR program is facing a projected $21.79 million funding shortfall.

UCR revenue can change based on the number of registered interstate carriers, freight brokers, and commercial motor vehicles. FMCSA said the program has been collecting less revenue than projected.

Under federal law, the UCR Board recommends fee adjustments when collections create either a shortfall or a surplus. The UCR Board recommended the 2027 increase in September 2025, and FMCSA formally proposed the change in April 2026.

FMCSA finalized the increase on September 1, 2026.

The agency said an increase smaller than the one recommended by the UCR Board could interfere with funding for motor carrier safety programs, enforcement, and administration of the UCR program.

UCR revenue collected by participating states must be used for motor carrier safety programs and enforcement or administration of the UCR Plan and Agreement.

Truckers and Industry Groups Opposed the Increase

The increase faced opposition after FMCSA proposed the new fee schedule earlier this year.

FMCSA received 34 public comments on the proposed rule. Several commenters pointed to rising fuel, insurance, maintenance, and compliance costs and argued that another fee increase would place additional pressure on trucking companies.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) also opposed the increase. The organization raised concerns about the UCR program, its expenses, and the burden placed on single-truck owner-operators and small fleets.

FMCSA acknowledged that trucking companies are facing economic pressures but moved forward with the increase.

The agency said Congress established both the UCR program and the requirement to collect registration fees. As a result, FMCSA said neither it nor the UCR Board has the authority to simply stop collecting UCR fees.

For small carriers, FMCSA also pointed to the size of the actual dollar increase. The smallest fee bracket will increase by $9 per year, while the 3–5 vehicle bracket will increase by $29.

Are UCR Fees Going Up 20% Every Year?

No. The final rule does not authorize a new 20% increase every year.

FMCSA specifically addressed this issue after concerns were raised during the public comment period.

The agency is implementing a single increase for the 2027 UCR fee year. The new fee schedule will remain in effect for subsequent registration years unless FMCSA changes it through a future rulemaking.

If UCR collections create another shortfall, fees could increase again. If the program collects more revenue than required, federal law provides a mechanism for future fees to be reduced.

FMCSA also noted that even after the 2027 increase, UCR registration fees remain lower than the fees charged from 2019 through 2022.

When Do the New UCR Fees Take Effect?

The final rule takes effect October 1, 2026.

UCR registration for a fee year begins in advance of that year, so carriers registering for the 2027 UCR period will pay the new rates.

This means carriers should account for the higher fee when planning for their upcoming 2027 UCR renewal.

Who Needs UCR Registration?

The Unified Carrier Registration program generally applies to motor carriers and other covered businesses involved in interstate or international commerce.

UCR requirements can apply to:

• For-hire motor carriers
• Private motor carriers of property
• Freight brokers
• Freight forwarders
• Leasing companies

UCR registration is an annual requirement. Motor carriers generally pay based on the number of commercial motor vehicles in their fleet, while brokers and other entities without commercial motor vehicles fall into the lowest fee bracket.

The UCR Agreement currently includes 41 participating states. However, operating from a state that does not participate in the UCR program does not automatically exempt an interstate carrier from UCR requirements.

What the 2027 UCR Increase Means for Carriers

For most owner-operators and very small fleets, the immediate financial impact will be limited to a few dollars per month when spread across the year. However, the increase adds another expense at a time when many trucking companies are already dealing with higher operating costs.

The effect becomes more significant as fleet size grows. A carrier with 21–100 commercial motor vehicles will pay $200 more, while a fleet with 101–1,000 vehicles will see its annual UCR fee increase by $956.

The largest fleets will see the biggest dollar change. Companies operating 1,001 or more commercial motor vehicles will pay $54,165, an increase of $9,329 over the 2026 rate.

For carriers preparing for the 2027 registration year, the main takeaway is simple: UCR fees are going up, and the new fee schedule begins with 2027 registrations.

Need help with your UCR registration?

FCCR can help owner-operators and motor carriers complete their UCR registration and stay compliant for the upcoming registration year. If you have questions about UCR requirements or need assistance filing your registration, contact FCCR at 208-888-3227 to speak with our team.