THE UNIFIED REGISTRATION SYSTEM
BY: BMB
The Unified Registration System
“ How Am I Affected?”
Before we can describe how the Unified Registration System( URS) will affect the fleet transportation industry and our BMB clients, let’ s first define what exactly the URS is.
The URS is a new online registration system created by the FMCSA( Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) to simplify and streamline the registration and updating process for entities regulated by that agency. The URS will combine multiple registration processes, information technology systems, and forms into a single electronic online registration process.
Historically, carriers were able to obtain an MC number for the purposes of collecting and storing information. However, the new URS will eliminate all of these miscellaneous numbers and replace them with a single, unchanging USDOT number.
URS will assist the government with enforcing new federal laws that will mandate all interstate carriers have a Process Agent Designation( BOC3) and insurance filing listed under their USDOT registration number.
WHY The URS, when fully implemented, raises the safety bar while improving efficiency in the following ways:
1. Simplifying processes and eliminating the need for multiple forms
2. Reducing the amount of paperwork, thus reducing the possibility of errors
3. Electronic screening of all applications to identify high-risk carriers and reincarnated carriers
The URS will also improve FMCSA’ s ability to locate small and medium-sized private and exempt for-hire carriers for enforcement action because investigators will be able to work with designated process agents to locate or serve documents, or both, on hardto-find carriers.
WHO IS AFFECTED The URS rule applies to the following entities:
• Interstate motor carriers( private, forhire passenger and property carriers)
• Freight forwarders
• Brokers
• Intermodal Equipment Providers( IEPs)
• Hazardous Materials Safety Permit( HMSP) applicants and holders
• Cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities under FMCSA’ s jurisdiction
As stated before, ALL companies involved in interstate commerce must show proof of Process Agent Designation( BOC3) and proof of liability insurance. Under the old system, only for-hire carriers were required to do this.
WHAT IS A PROCESS AGENT DESIGNATION( BOC3)? FMCSA requires all companies that are involved in interstate commerce to have an agent in each state that they operate in, or hold contracts in, who will accept legal documents on their behalf. If the carrier is served outside of its home state, it is the process agent’ s responsibility to accept and insure documents are delivered to the carrier in a timely manner. FMCSA will deactivate USDOT numbers for carriers that fail to designate a process agent.
EFFECTIVE DATES New applicants that never had a USDOT number are required to use the new online application process, which started on December 12, 2015.
Beginning January 14, 2017, all entities must process new applications and updates to existing records using the new online process. After this date, FMCSA will not accept paper forms or faxes and will discontinue the use of MC and FF numbers, or any combination of them. Note: This date was extended from the original effective date of September 30, 2016.
On April 14, 2017, all existing private and exempt carriers must provide evidence of financial responsibility( insurance filings, and surety bonds and trusts) and Process Agent Designation( BOC3) will take effect. New applicants will begin providing this information on January 14, 2017. +
8 | FALL 2016