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New URS Regulations Ahead

Written by Donald Jerrell | Wed, Sep 28,2016 @ 01:10 PM

On December 12, 2015 the Unified Registration System (URS) began its implementation process of retiring old systems and unifying the regulatory structure for the industry. The goal of this new system is to replace all of the FMCSA's current registration databases with one unified registration process that also acts as a main source of data. This system will be fully phased in by the April 14th, 2017 deadline and requires full compliance by all before then. 

What is the URS?

The URS was developed to streamline and make the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) registration process much simpler to maneuver. This will contain all information and data regarding entities regulated by the agency, such as motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities according the FMCSA.

The goal is to combine the varying registration processes currently in place into a singled electronic online registration process. 

Who is required to comply?

ITS Compliance, the leader in transportation management services, shares the following phases to keep an eye on: 

  • The first initial phase (December 2015) requires all new applicants to use the updated registration process.
  • The second phase (January 14, 2017) requires all existing account holders to transition over to the new forms and procedures.
  • The final phase (April 14, 2017) requires all existing hazmat and attempt for-hire carriers to have proof of financial responsibility and all existing private and exempt carriers need to have BOC-3 filings in order.

What are the benefits to this new ruling?

The FMCSA hopes to streamline the processes involved with the current registration process, which in turn will ultimately save time and money for the industry at large - with an estimated savings of roughly $9 million over a ten year period.

Also, according to the FMCSA, this rule will increase the ability to locate small and medium sized private and exempt for-hire motor carriers for enforcement action, because investigators will be able to work with designated process agents to locate and/or serve documents on hard-to-find motor carriers.

How will this impact you?

All new applications for registration that are received after the deadline will incur a $300 fee for each registration type. If you are looking to reinstate a suspended registration you will have to pay a fee of $10 for each request.