Unified Registration System
Overview
URS Update – September 14, 2015
FMCSA announced that it plans to use a phased implementation of the Unified Registration System (URS) that is designed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the information in our database of registered motor carriers. The URS will combine several registration forms that regulated entities are required to submit into one unified registration process, the electronic “smart form.” Another key benefit of URS is that the USDOT Number will be the sole identifier for regulated entities.
FMCSA will publish a Federal Register Notice in October 2015 that will provide details on the updated implementation timeline.
URS Overview
The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) has published a final rule that will combine various forms that carriers, freight forwarders and brokers currently use to register and update their information with the agency into a single, electronic “smart form.” The new Unified Registration System will increase efficiency by streamlining the registration process for industry and enabling FMCSA to maintain more accurate information on the entities it regulates.
When URS implementation is complete, all new applications and updates to existing records will be handled through the new system.
The Unified Registration System (URS) is a new electronic on-line registration system that will streamline and simplify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) registration process and serve as a clearinghouse and depository of information on all entities regulated by the Agency, including motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities. The URS will combine multiple registration processes, information technology systems and forms into a single, electronic online registration process.
Who is required to comply with the URS rule?
This rule applies to all interstate motor carriers (private and for-hire motor carriers of passengers and freight), freight forwarders, brokers, IEPs, HMSP applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities under FMCSA jurisdiction.
Effective Dates
There are two effective dates for this rule:
FMCSA plans to extend the next URS compliance date, October 23, 2015, when all Agency-regulated entities—motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), brokers, freight forwarders, and cargo tank repair and manufacturing facilities—are required to start using a new web-based online registration “smart form” to apply for new registrations, update records, and/or record transfers of operating authority registration. The Agency will need more time to launch the new URS website. Moreover, changing the real-time data exchange systems between FMCSA and its industry and State agency partners will require additional time for collaborative planning and testing to ensure a successful implementation of the URS.
Benefits of the new URS rule
The new rule will streamline manual processes and combine several forms regulated entities are required to submit into one unified online registration process, thereby saving time and money for the industry and FMCSA. The Agency estimates that industry will see total savings of almost $9 million from time and fees over a ten year period.
This rule will also improve the ability for FMCSA 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.
The Agency estimated in its Regulatory Impact Analysis that 16 percent of new registrations are submitted through paper applications. These entities without access to the internet may use third party processing agents, internet access at public libraries, and kiosks at trucks stops and travel centers, among other options.
About the Rulemaking
FMCSA undertook this rulemaking to simplify and reduce the amount of time entities must spend filling out paperwork as part of the registration process as well as enable the Agency to maintain more accurate information on the entities subject to FMCSA’s jurisdiction.
Portions of this rule are also required by the ICC Termination Act of 1995 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) included several provisions relevant to the new URS, but these provisions will be addressed in a separate rulemaking.
FMCSA will publish a Federal Register Notice in October 2015 regarding a regulatory extension to provide sufficient time for the Agency to launch the new URS website and implement multiple provisions that were to be effective on October 23, 2015.
Updated: Tuesday, September 22, 2015
- See more at: Unified Registration System
Overview
URS Update – September 14, 2015
FMCSA announced that it plans to use a phased implementation of the Unified Registration System (URS) that is designed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the information in our database of registered motor carriers. The URS will combine several registration forms that regulated entities are required to submit into one unified registration process, the electronic “smart form.” Another key benefit of URS is that the USDOT Number will be the sole identifier for regulated entities.
FMCSA will publish a Federal Register Notice in October 2015 that will provide details on the updated implementation timeline.
URS Overview
The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) has published a final rule that will combine various forms that carriers, freight forwarders and brokers currently use to register and update their information with the agency into a single, electronic “smart form.” The new Unified Registration System will increase efficiency by streamlining the registration process for industry and enabling FMCSA to maintain more accurate information on the entities it regulates.
When URS implementation is complete, all new applications and updates to existing records will be handled through the new system.
- What is the URS?
- Who is required to comply with the URS rule?
- Effective Dates
- Benefits of the new URS rule
- About the Rulemaking
The Unified Registration System (URS) is a new electronic on-line registration system that will streamline and simplify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) registration process and serve as a clearinghouse and depository of information on all entities regulated by the Agency, including motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities. The URS will combine multiple registration processes, information technology systems and forms into a single, electronic online registration process.
Who is required to comply with the URS rule?
This rule applies to all interstate motor carriers (private and for-hire motor carriers of passengers and freight), freight forwarders, brokers, IEPs, HMSP applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities under FMCSA jurisdiction.
Effective Dates
There are two effective dates for this rule:
- On November 1, 2013, (1) the new enforcement provisions for failing to file biennial updates according to the schedule in 49 CFR 390.19(b)(2), and (2) a prohibition on operating with an inactive USDOT Number took effect.
- FMCSA will publish a Federal Register Notice in October regarding a regulatory extension to provide sufficient time for the Agency to launch the new URS website and implement multiple provisions that were to be effective on October 23, 2015.
FMCSA plans to extend the next URS compliance date, October 23, 2015, when all Agency-regulated entities—motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), brokers, freight forwarders, and cargo tank repair and manufacturing facilities—are required to start using a new web-based online registration “smart form” to apply for new registrations, update records, and/or record transfers of operating authority registration. The Agency will need more time to launch the new URS website. Moreover, changing the real-time data exchange systems between FMCSA and its industry and State agency partners will require additional time for collaborative planning and testing to ensure a successful implementation of the URS.
Benefits of the new URS rule
The new rule will streamline manual processes and combine several forms regulated entities are required to submit into one unified online registration process, thereby saving time and money for the industry and FMCSA. The Agency estimates that industry will see total savings of almost $9 million from time and fees over a ten year period.
This rule will also improve the ability for FMCSA 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.
The Agency estimated in its Regulatory Impact Analysis that 16 percent of new registrations are submitted through paper applications. These entities without access to the internet may use third party processing agents, internet access at public libraries, and kiosks at trucks stops and travel centers, among other options.
About the Rulemaking
FMCSA undertook this rulemaking to simplify and reduce the amount of time entities must spend filling out paperwork as part of the registration process as well as enable the Agency to maintain more accurate information on the entities subject to FMCSA’s jurisdiction.
Portions of this rule are also required by the ICC Termination Act of 1995 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) included several provisions relevant to the new URS, but these provisions will be addressed in a separate rulemaking.
FMCSA will publish a Federal Register Notice in October 2015 regarding a regulatory extension to provide sufficient time for the Agency to launch the new URS website and implement multiple provisions that were to be effective on October 23, 2015.
Updated: Tuesday, September 22, 2015
- See more at: Unified Registration System
