FMCSA to Allow UCR Fee Collection
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is set to allow states to collect fees for the Unified Carrier Registration program, despite the fact the agency has yet to finalize what the level and structure of the fees will be for 2010.
In a Federal Register notice set to be published Tuesday, FMCSA says states “may assess and collect fees” under the fee structure set for 2009.
FMCSA is currently examining proposals for the UCR fees, which could include massive increases, for 2010. Fees for the program, which are collected from all interstate carriers as well as brokers and forwarders depending on fleet size, are set annually by FMCSA with the recommendation of a board made up of state and industry executives.
Recent proposals for the fess have them more than doubling for virtually all companies, regardless of size, due to changes in how the agency calculates fleet size and chronic undercollecting by states for the three-year-old program.
In a statement, FMCSA spokeswoman Candice Tolliver said the guidance “supports our state partners by enabling them to collect fees that help to fund critical motor carrier safety and enforcement programs.”
Typically the funds collected by the UCR program are funneled into various commercial vehicle enforcement activities.
“FMCSA wants to ensure that states have the resources they need as the agency develops a new final rule for the Unified Carrier Registration plan and agreement,” Tolliver said.
By Sean McNally (Click here for previous coverage.)
Senior Reporter
