Be Part of the Ultimate Safety & Compliance Community
Trending news, knowledge-building content, and more – all personalized to you!
Interstate carriers that are designated as “exempt for-hire” transport only goods listed as “exempt” from Federal economic regulation. This means they do not have to obtain federal operating authority from the FMCSA.
See Administrative Ruling number 119 for a list of exempt commodities. The FMCSA’s regulation or 372.115 contains a list of commodities that are not exempt.
“Exempt” applies only to federal operating authority; all carriers of exempt commodities operating vehicles defined as CMVs are fully subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, as well as size and weight limits, vehicle licensing/IRP and fuel tax/IFTA requirements. If a carrier transports any non-exempt commodities for hire, they must register as for-hire. The carrier is not exempt.
Financial Responsibility: The Unified Registration System (URS-1) final rule will require for-hire motor carriers of exempt commodities operating in interstate commerce to have proof of financial responsibility as required by 387.9 filed with the FMCSA. However, the URS final rule has been delayed indefinitely by FMCSA and this provision will be effective at a later date to be determined by FMCSA.
Designation of Process Agent: The (URS-1) final rule will require for-hire motor carriers of exempt commodities operating in interstate commerce to designate process agents to the FMCSA. However, the URS final rule has been delayed indefinitely by FMCSA and this provision will be effective at a later date to be determined by FMCSA.
For-hire carriers of passengers, private and for-hire carriers of property (including those operating as “exempt” carriers), freight forwarders, leasing companies and brokers are all subject to UCRA registration annually.
Carriers who are based in non-participating states, or who operate wholly in non-participating states are subject to UCRA registration. Canada and Mexico domiciled carriers operating in the United States are also subject to UCR.
The UCRA does not issue a paper credential to be carried in the vehicle. Proof of registration under the UCRA is available to roadside enforcement via FMCSA electronic information systems by accessing the carrier US DOT number.
UCRA registration does not replace or change the requirements for registration of vehicles under the International Registration Plan (IRP) or fuel use tax reporting under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
Electronic registration and information is available at www.ucr.gov/.
Also see Unified Carrier Registration.
Intrastate carriers (never crossing state lines, never engaging in interstate commerce) are not subject to the UCRA. A state may choose to include their intrastate only carriers within the UCRA, or the state may continue the intrastate registration process already in place.