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UCR for Brokers

UCR registration requirements for freight brokers differ from motor carrier fleet-size brackets — how to find the current year's broker fee at plan.ucr.gov and when to register.

Quick Answer

Freight brokers engaged in interstate commerce must register under UCR annually as a broker entity — broker UCR fees use a different bracket from motor carriers, and the current year's fee amount must be verified at the official UCR Plan fee-brackets page before payment.

UCR questions often turn on annual registration, entity type, and fee-year verification. Who Needs UCR, UCR Fees, Annual Renewal.

Who This Applies To

Freight brokers holding FMCSA broker authority who conduct interstate transportation arrangements and must register under the UCR broker entity category annually.
New broker authorities adding UCR registration to the setup checklist alongside FMCSA broker authority, BOC-3 filing, and surety bond.
Entities holding both motor carrier authority and broker authority who need to determine whether one UCR registration covers both or whether separate registrations are required.

What To Verify

That freight brokers register under the broker entity category, not the motor carrier category. Broker fees use a flat fee structure, not fleet-size brackets.
The current-year broker fee at plan.ucr.gov. The broker fee is not based on fleet size — it is a flat amount that changes annually.
Whether the entity holds both carrier and broker authority. Contact the UCR Plan to confirm whether a single registration covers both entity types or whether two are required.
That UCR broker registration must be renewed annually. Active FMCSA broker authority does not automatically satisfy UCR — the two programs are separate.

Step-by-Step Overview

Confirm that FMCSA broker authority is active and that broker operations occur in interstate commerce.
Go to plan.ucr.gov, select the broker entity type for the registration year, and verify the current flat fee on the official fee-brackets page.
Complete registration and save the confirmation showing registration year, broker entity type, and payment reference.
If the entity also holds carrier authority, contact the UCR Plan to confirm whether a separate carrier registration is also required.
Add broker UCR renewal to the annual compliance calendar alongside FMCSA authority monitoring and surety bond renewal dates.

Common Mistakes

Registering as a motor carrier instead of a broker. The fee structures differ — selecting the wrong entity type results in an incorrect payment and a gap in the correct registration category.
Assuming the broker UCR registration covers carrier operations at the same entity. Entities operating as both carrier and broker may need two separate UCR registrations.
Not renewing broker UCR annually. FMCSA broker authority staying active does not substitute for UCR renewal.
Using a prior-year broker fee without verifying the current year at plan.ucr.gov.

Official Sources

Do I Need to Register? UCR Plan · official-organization · accessed 2026-05-06
Use for UCR applicability pages and direct users to the official wizard.
UCR Fee Brackets UCR Plan · official-organization · accessed 2026-05-06
Use for year-labeled UCR fee references and tools; remind users fees may change by registration year.

Who Needs UCR

Learn which interstate trucking-related entities should verify UCR registration status using official UCR Plan sources.

UCR Fees by Registration Year

Use the official UCR Plan fee-brackets page for the correct registration year instead of relying on copied fee tables.

New Authority Checklist

A practical checklist for newly formed trucking authorities, including USDOT, operating authority, BOC-3, UCR, and records.

FAQ

How is a broker's UCR fee calculated?

Freight brokers pay a UCR fee based on a broker-specific bracket, not the vehicle-count brackets that motor carriers use. The current-year broker fee amount is published on the UCR Plan fee-brackets page — verify the exact amount before payment since it may change annually.

Does a freight broker that only arranges shipments in two or three states need UCR?

Yes. UCR applies to entities arranging interstate transportation — it does not depend on the number of states involved. Even a broker arranging shipments between two adjacent states is participating in interstate commerce and must register under UCR annually. Verify with the UCR Plan whether the specific brokerage arrangement triggers registration.

Is UCR registration the same as FMCSA broker authority?

No. FMCSA broker authority (MC number) is issued by FMCSA and requires a separate application, a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund, and BOC-3 designation. UCR is a separate annual fee paid through the UCR Plan's registration system. Both are required for licensed interstate freight brokers, and each has its own compliance tracking and renewal cycle.