The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering doing away with the Unified Registration System (URS) in favor of a new online registration system.
In a notice to be published in the Federal Register on April 19, the FMCSA proposed the replacement of the Unified Registration System (URS), with a new, online registration system called the “FMCSA Registration System” (FRS).
The FMCSA says that the FRS will eliminate the need to file forms like OP-1, MCS-150, and BOC-3 as these will be integrated into the online system.
“Under the new FRS, all forms described above will be integrated into the online system through a series of questions that will be asked, using smart logic,” the agency stated.
The FRS will allow all those required to register under the FMCSA’s commercial or safety jurisdiction to do so online, including the following:
- New registrants applying for safety and/or operating authority registration for the first time from FMCSA
- Existing registrants (i.e., entities that already have a USDOT number and/or operating authority) that are subject to FMCSA’s registration and certification regulations that wish to apply for additional authorities
- Mexico-domiciled carriers that wish to operate beyond the U.S. municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border and their commercial zones
- Registrants seeking to process name changes, address changes, and reinstatements of operating authority for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers
- Registrants which are requesting to voluntarily suspend their safety and/or operating authority registration with FMCSA
- Motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders that must designate an agent on whom service of notices in proceedings before the Secretary may be made.
- Designated agents and those entities providing proof of financial responsibility requirements, such as insurance companies and bond agents.
The FMCSA will accept public comments on the switch from URS to FRS for sixty days following the publication of the notice in the Federal Register.