UCR Board Meeting Notes
 
This important information from today's UCR Board meeting is intended to assist DNA clients with the transition to the new nationwide registration program.

WHAT: Uniform Carrier Registration Program (UCR) is a new federal law that applies to operations of a truck or bus in interstate or foreign commerce.

WHO: Individuals and companies that operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate or foreign commerce are required to register their business with their base State.

Companies operating solely as brokers, freight forwarders or leasing companies are also required to register and pay a fee of $39. Companies providing both motor carrier services as well as broker, freight forwarder or leasing services are required to pay the fee level set at the motor carrier level.

WHEN will UCR registration begin? Recommended commencement date is September 10, 2007
Indiana’s system will be tested on Sept 4 by state and industry representatives. Any omissions found during testing will immediately be corrected prior to commencement date.

WHERE can fees be paid? Carrier has two options:
(1) The Self-Service online method (hosted by Indiana)
a. Web address is .... www.ucr.in.gov
b. Home Page will have a generic registration form.
c. Will accept credit cards (Visa & Mastercard) and E-Checks.
d. Will provide confirmation which can be printed or saved as pdf.
e. See below for processing fees in addition to UCR fees.

(2) Participating States have option of using Indiana’s system OR building their own OR using a third party provider. State users of Indiana’s online system will have ID and passwords for State employees

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Industry representatives will not be awarded ID/passwords for the national online system.

TO AVOID DELAY, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT A CARRIER REGISTER ON-LINE AT www.ucr.in.gov -- The UCR States encourage carriers to use the Indiana system -- it's less work for them and they still get their funding.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST:
UCR Registration fee is based upon fleet size (including trailers) as defined by “commercial motor vehicle”. (see 31132.Definition below) PLUS 2.5% for processing credit card OR $1.00 per electronic check PLUS $3.00 per transaction for State of Indiana.


FEE BRACKETS (Fleet size including Trailers):
0 to 2 - $39.00
3 to 5 - $116.00
6 to 20 - $231.00
21 to 100 - $806.00
101 to 1000 - $3840.00
1,001 to 200,000 - $37,500.00

§ 31132. DEFINITIONS
In this subchapter—
(1) “commercial motor vehicle” means a self-propelled or towed vehicle used on the highways in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property, if the vehicle— (A) has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds, whichever is greater; (B) is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; (C) is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or (D) is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under section 5103 of this title and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under section 5103.


OUTREACH BY STATES TO MOTOR CARRIERS:
Each UCR participating State will send a mailing to the carrier base located within their jurisdiction. In addition, carriers located in non-participating jurisdictions will be sent a mailing either by a non-participating State who has agreed to perform a UCR mailing for their constituents or by another State that is participating in the UCR program.

ENFORCEMENT:
Recommended enforcement date is no sooner than November 15, 2007
Each state has its own method of handling enforcement. Each state can also push enforcement date further out based upon their readiness to process UCR registrations.

PROOF OF REGISTRATION:
While there will be nothing in or on the vehicle to show UCR registration, a roadside officer will be able to view the UCR information in Motor Carrier Management Information Systems (MCMIS), Query Central, or Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System. Also, FMCSA will release a new version of Inspection Selection System on 9/14/07 where in States will submit registration data into the national system which will allow a roadside officer to view UCR fee payment information.

Linda’s Recommendation: For 2007, I would strongly recommend providing your motor carrier a copy of his confirmation in case the roadside officer isn’t trained properly in using the system. Most of these carriers are accustomed to having the SSRS receipt and will be more at ease with the new UCR system having some paper version in hand.

STATE STATUS:
Remember: Registration is according to principle place of business otherwise choose a state nearest to the carrier's home state as designated on the registration form.

Base States UCR in 2007: AL, AR, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MS, MT, ND, NE, NHNM, NY, OH, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI or, WV

States joining UCR in 2008: CA, MN, MO, NC and PA

Ten Remaining States have until mid-August of 2008 to declare their intention to join the UCR and finalize a plan or forever loose that opportunity (based upon current law). These states are Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Vermont, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

Oregon has opted out of 07 UCR; thus precluded from rejoining (per current law).

OTHER INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
The issue of financial responsibility still has some gray area and is part of H.R. 3248, Section 301 “Technical Amendments Relating to Motor Carrier Safety”. Additionally, the UCR Board is composing a listing of questions on this financial responsibility topic and FMCSA has agreed to render expedited opinions. This amendment has passed the House and if passed by the Senate, the issue of financial responsibility is resolved.

2008 FEE STRUCTURE:
The 2008 fee structure (slight increase) was approved by the UCR Board and will now go through the FMCSA rule-making process. It is expected the final rule will be published by the end of the year so states can start collecting 2008 fees early in 2008.

Future UCR Board Meetings: September 13, September 20, October 4, November 1
 
*** Questions about this info? Contact Linda Norman at 703-821-0000 or linda@donnormanassociates.com ***