Support:
24/7Support:
FastTruckingCompliance

Comparison

UCR for brokers vs UCR for carriers

Quick answer

Both brokers and motor carriers file UCR annually under 49 USC §14504a, and the federal-state UCR Plan and Agreement applies the same registration framework to both. The fee is tier-based on power-unit count: brokers count zero vehicles (they don't operate equipment under their MC-B authority), so they file at the lowest bracket - $46 for the 2026 registration year and $55 for 2027. Carriers count their power units (any motor vehicle of 10,001+ lbs GVWR or GVW used in interstate commerce) and file at the appropriate tier from Bracket 1 (0-2 units) up to Bracket 6 (1,001+ units). Same form, different tier math; the underlying registration framework is identical, and both broker and carrier registrations are paid through any of the 41 UCR participating states. Brokers under §13904 with no separate motor-carrier authority always pay the lowest bracket regardless of book of business.

Reviewed by Korey Sharp-Paar · Updated

Combined entities - broker plus carrier

Some legal entities hold both a motor-carrier MC and a broker MC under the same legal name (typical at mid-size and larger fleets that operate their own equipment plus broker out demand spikes). For UCR purposes, the combined entity files a single UCR registration based on the combined fleet count - the carrier-side power units count, the broker side adds zero. The tier reflects the carrier-side count.

For carriers spinning off brokerage operations into a separate legal entity (common pattern for liability separation), each legal entity files its own UCR. The carrier entity files at the appropriate tier based on its fleet count; the broker entity files at Tier 1. Two separate UCR filings, two separate fees, but operationally simpler than commingling at a single legal entity.

How do Broker and Motor Carrier compare?

AttributeBrokerMotor Carrier
UCR requiredYesYes
Fleet countZeroPower-unit count
Typical tierTier 1 ($55 for 2027)Varies by fleet size
Filing portalSame as carriersSame as brokers
ScheduleAnnual (registration year)Annual (registration year)
ReceiptUCR PDFUCR PDF

When should you choose Broker or Motor Carrier?

When to choose Broker

Brokers - always Tier 1

Brokers file UCR at Tier 1 because they own no commercial motor vehicles. The §14504a tier calculation is based on the carrier's power-unit count; a broker arranging transportation between shippers and carriers operates without owning equipment, so the count is zero. Zero falls within the 0-2 vehicle Tier 1 bracket. Every broker pays the Tier 1 fee ($46 for 2026, $55 for 2027) regardless of business volume - a $5M-revenue freight broker pays the same UCR fee as a $50K-revenue startup broker.For brokers maintaining the BMC-84 surety bond ($75,000) or BMC-85 trust fund ($75,000) under §387.301, the UCR fee is small relative to the bonding cost. Annual UCR is a $55 line item; the surety bond premium runs $1,000-$2,500 annually depending on the broker's credit profile. Total annual broker compliance cost is dominated by bonding, not UCR.

When to choose Motor Carrier

Motor carriers - tier scales with fleet

Motor carriers file UCR at the tier corresponding to their power-unit count. Tier brackets: Tier 1 (0–2 vehicles, $55), Tier 2 (3–5 vehicles, $167), Tier 3 (6–20 vehicles, $333), Tier 4 (21–100 vehicles, $1,163), Tier 5 (101–1,000 vehicles, $5,548), Tier 6 (1,001+ vehicles, $54,165). The fee scales sharply between tiers; carriers crossing tier boundaries see substantial fee increases.For owner-operators with 1-2 trucks, Tier 1 is the typical tier - $55 annually for 2027. For small fleets at 3-5 trucks, Tier 2 ($167) applies. The transition from Tier 2 to Tier 3 (at 6+ trucks) doubles the fee. Carriers in growth mode should plan for tier upgrades during fleet expansion budgeting.

What's the next step in your filing?

File UCR - broker or carrier

We prepare your UCR registration; it is submitted to the National UCR System. Brokers, freight forwarders and motor carriers with 0-2 power units file at Tier 1: $90 ($55 UCR government fee + $35 service fee). Larger fleets are priced by power-unit count, with the UCR government fee itemized.

Start your UCR order - from $90

This page is informational and is not legal advice. Verify regulatory requirements against the current text of 49 USC §14504a before relying on this comparison.

Independent filing service operated by Fast Filing Group LLC. Not affiliated with FMCSA, USDOT, UCR.gov or any government agency.

Frequently asked questions

Are brokers always Tier 1?

Yes. Brokers do not operate vehicles, so their fleet count is zero. Zero falls within the 0-2 vehicle Tier 1 bracket. Every broker holding an MC pays the Tier 1 UCR fee ($46 for 2026, $55 for 2027) regardless of business volume.

What about freight forwarders?

Freight forwarders also typically file at Tier 1 because they don't operate vehicles. Some freight forwarders own equipment for terminal operations; if so, those vehicles count toward the tier calculation.

Can a single legal entity file as both broker and carrier?

A single legal entity can hold both an MC carrier authority and an MC broker authority and operate under both. UCR filings combine into a single carrier-level filing - the fleet count from the carrier authority drives the tier; the broker side adds zero vehicles. The total fleet count is what matters for tier.

Related guides