What’s happening with the UCR and why can’t farmers (carriers) renew their registration for 2010?

RESPONSE: 

Sit tight.  Washington hasn’t made up its mind, yet.

So far, UCR registrations for 2010 are unavailable to anyone in Illinois or across the nation.  It could be spring before the snags have been worked out and registration resumes.

Just a little over a week ago, I had let you know that the federal Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board was about to meet to decide on 2010 registration fees.  They are proposing changes, but now the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has decided that the 2010 fee rulemaking is a “significant” rulemaking, meaning that they will review it over the next 60 days before a final rule is issued.

That decision would further delay registrations for 2010 and has upset some folks within the Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration (CVSA.)  The delay would affect funding for many state MCSAP safety officers (though not particularly in Illinois) and they have now begun to “work the Hill.”  That means anything could happen . . . almost anytime.

However, I don’t expect anything to happen for at least a month . . . likely longer.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: 

So what should farmers do for now and how will we know when it’s time to register?

RESPONSE: 

One of these three scenarios will likely fit your situation:

·         Your had registered for the UCR in 2009.  If that’s the case, then there is nothing you need do for now.   Your payment of your 2009 fee is proof that you’re in compliance with the program.

·         You had registered for the USDOT# in 2009 but hadn’t registered for the 2009 UCR.  The State will assume you were operating in interstate commerce in 2009 and should have registered for the UCR that year, too.  If that’s the case, go ahead and register now for last year (2009.)  If you hadn’t yet begun interstate trucking in 2009 and feel you didn’t owe the 2009 UCR fee, you’ll need to be able make that case with the State (Illinois Commerce Commission.)

·         You’re just getting started in interstate commerce in 2010.  You should register for the USDOT# before you begin, but you will have to wait to register for the UCR just like everyone else.  This should not limit your ability to commence operations in 2010, but check with the Illinois Commerce Commission first to avoid problems.

Once the logjam is broken in Washington, several things will happen:

·         Illinois regulators will notify all who had registered for the UCR in 2009, letting them know it’s time to re-register for 2010;

·         Illinois Farm Bureau® will notify county Farm Bureaus® and include notices online and in FarmWeek;

·         Farmers (carriers) will have at least 60 days to then register for the current UCR year.