Glossary · updated October 30, 2026
Compliance Stack
Also known as: Carrier Compliance Stack
By Korey Sharp-Paar · Reviewed by the Fast Trucking Compliance team
Definition
The compliance stack is the set of recurring federal and state filings a new interstate operator must keep current: a USDOT number and biennial MCS-150 update, operating authority with a BOC-3, the annual UCR fee, IRP and IFTA for qualifying vehicles, and Form 2290 HVUT for heavy trucks. UCR is one annual layer in this stack; letting any layer lapse can cascade into roadside stops or loss of authority. The layers are separate filings: BOC-3 is one-time and tied to getting authority, the MCS-150 is updated at least every 24 months, and UCR is an annual fee paid to one base state.
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UCR vs IRP vs IFTA vs BOC-3: What You FileNew interstate carriers face four separate filings: UCR (annual fee), IRP (apportioned plates), IFTA (fuel-tax returns), and BOC-3 (one-time process agents). Here is the checklist and the order.
Related terms
- UCR(Unified Carrier Registration)
- MCS-150(Motor Carrier Identification Report)
- BOC-3(Designation of Process Agents)
- Operating Authority