New Truck Registration System Proposed
The trucking industry is throwing its weight behind a proposal to replace the current truck registration system with one that is more broadly based and costs less.
Major trucking organizations have come to terms on legislation that would ditch the Single State Registration System in favor of a Unified Carrier Registration.
The UCR would create a single, federal online registration system for all motor carriers in all states. This would spread the costs of the system, since SSRS covers only for-hire companies and is used in only 38 states. Another difference: UCR fees would be based on the carrier, rather than on the truck. Right now, participating states can collect up to $10 per truck.
SSRS monitors carriers' insurance and financial information. It allows carriers that operate in two or more states to register only in a base state — the information and fees are distributed to other states as required.
A key feature of the proposed legislation is that it replaces the money that the states now get through SSRS. Prior attempts to reform the system foundered because they did not make the states whole. The UCR also would give a minimum amount to states that are not in SSRS.
The plan was worked out by American Trucking Assns., the National Private Truck Council and the National Conference of State Transportation Specialists. Joining in support so far are the Truck Renting and Leasing Assn. and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. It is intended to be part of next year's highway bill.
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