FMCSA Announces 25% Increase in UCR Fees for 2025: What Carriers Need to Know

Dina Youssef

Truck driver using smartphone while holding a coffee mug, reviewing the latest FMCSA fee updates inside his truck cabin

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced a significant adjustment to the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan fees for the 2025 registration year, marking the first increase since 2010. This adjustment involves a 25% hike in fees for motor carriers, brokers, and leasing companies, which is expected to generate additional revenue for state highway safety initiatives. Depending on the size of their fleet, businesses will see their fees increase anywhere from $9 to $9,000.

Previously, the UCR Plan fees had been reduced over two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024, with an average decrease of 37.3%. However, the FMCSA notes that the fee hike is a necessary recalibration, aligning the fees with the statutory requirements and the financial obligations of the UCR Plan. Historically, the UCR Plan has maintained a strict adherence to its budget, which has decreased from an annual $5 million to $4.25 million in recent years. This prudent financial management has facilitated the increase while still meeting the administrative needs of the plan.

The 2025 fee schedule reflects increases across various fleet sizes, beginning with a $9 rise for fleets with 0-2 power units, up to a $9,000 rise for those with over 1,001 power units. These fees are crucial for funding state programs dedicated to truck safety, enforcement activities, and the administration of the UCR itself.

Despite receiving 66 comments largely opposing the fee increase—many suggesting that the UCR Plan should adjust its budget instead—the FMCSA has decided to maintain the fee hike. The agency justifies this decision by highlighting the Plan’s compliance with its budget limits and the essential nature of these fees for supporting state safety measures.

Looking ahead to 2025, the UCR program aims to collect approximately $108 million in fees from the transportation industry, which will then be distributed to the 41 states participating in the plan. The allocation for each state varies, with Michigan set to receive $7.5 million, representing the highest entitlement, and North Carolina receiving $372,007, the lowest. This distribution is critical for supporting the ongoing efforts to enhance highway safety across these states.