Starting January 14th, the FMCSA will be flipping the switch on their new online system. This means you can say goodbye to your Motor Carrier Number, as FMCSA will only be using the U.S. DOT number as your identifier. If you own a trucking company you have probably been hearing about the Unified Registration System or URS for years. It will be a new system that will take the place of a lot of the paperwork, will require regulated trucking businesses to register online and will do away MC, FF and MX numbers. The URS will be the single online federal information that businesses will use to register and update their information with FMCSA.
However, they are also making some other changes you might not be aware of….
The URS will require online registration for all new entrants, will use the U.S. DOT number as a sole identifier, will impose a new fee schedule, will keep a record of financial responsibility and your BOC-3. It replaces multiple forms and the registration functions of several systems including the Motor Carrier Management Information Systems (MCIS) and the Licensing and Insurance System. It was designed to simplify the process of registering, to reduce paperwork and errors, and to make it possible to electronically screen all applications to identify high-risk (chameleon) carriers.
All new applications for registration received on or after January 14, 2017 will have a $300 filing fee for each distinct type of registration. All applicants will be required to have a safety registration and their requested operating authority registration. A new application for registration and fees will be required if an applicant’s registration has been revoked, however the applicant can retain their original U.S. Dot Number. No fees are required for those existing companies that are filing their biennial update or a name/phone/address/form of business change.
After the new system has been integrated applicants seeking a reinstatement of a suspended registration must pay a reinstatement fee of just $10 per registration type. FMCSA is struggling with their release date and have had to push it off already, for this reason I recommend keeping up to date with any changes by watching blogs and news articles. FMCSA has also provided a printout version of the URS brochure that serves as a glossary and a “need-to-know” flyer. There are also changes coming for existing companies, private and exempt carriers and Insurance.
To get all the most up to date information regarding the URS updates please check out this website: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/unified-registration-system