FMCSA finalizes 2027 UCR fee increase; smallest fleets pay $55, up from $46

On September 1, 2026, FMCSA published a final rule in the Federal Register amending the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan fees for registration year 2027 and beyond. This is not a proposal: the rule is final, takes effect October 1, 2026, and the comment period on the earlier proposal closed May 26, 2026.

The new bracket fees, compared with the 2026 schedule: 0–2 vehicles, $46 to $55; 3–5 vehicles, $138 to $167; 6–20 vehicles, $276 to $333; 21–100 vehicles, $963 to $1,163. The two largest brackets rise to $5,548 (101–1,000 vehicles) and $54,165 (1,001 or more). FMCSA describes the change as an increase that "averages 20 percent over the fee structure adopted for 2025" and kept for 2026, with increases "ranging between $9 and $9,329 per entity, depending on the applicable fee bracket."

The reason, per the rule, is a funding gap: UCR collections vary with how many carriers register and how many vehicles they report, collections fell short of projections, and the higher fees are set to "cover the projected $21.79 million shortfall in the statutorily required funding." FMCSA also notes the 2027 fees remain lower than those charged from 2019 through 2022.

UCR applies to interstate motor carriers, private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies. By statute, brokers pay the smallest-bracket fee — $55 for 2027.