02
ANNUAL REGISTRATION
UCR Registration: 2026 Fees, Timing, and What to Track
UCR is an annual registration program for entities subject to the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement. For the 2026 registration year, the 0–2 vehicle bracket is $46. The 2026 portal opened October 1, 2025, and subject entities should complete registration before January 1 of the registration year.
Reviewed August 19, 2026
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04
QUARTERLY FUEL TAX
IFTA Filing: Quarterly Deadlines, Zero-Mile Returns, and Records
IFTA returns are quarterly. The recurring dates are April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. A no-operations quarter still requires a return, and the 2026 annual IFTA interest rate for U.S. jurisdictions is 9%.
Reviewed August 19, 2026
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06
DRIVER MEDICAL QUALIFICATION
DOT Medical Qualification: Expiration Dates and the NRII Transition
Federal rules generally require a driver to be medically examined and certified at least every 24 months, but many drivers receive shorter certification periods. The actual expiration date for that driver is the date to track.
Reviewed August 19, 2026
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08
DRUG & ALCOHOL CLEARINGHOUSE
Clearinghouse Annual Query: The Rolling 12-Month Requirement
Employers must query the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for each current CDL driver at least once within a rolling 12-month period. FMCSA describes the requirement as 365 days from the last query, or another compliant 12-month period chosen by the employer.
Reviewed August 19, 2026
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09
DRIVER QUALIFICATION FILE
Driver Qualification File Checklist: What 49 CFR 391.51 Requires
Every motor carrier must maintain a driver qualification file for each driver it employs. The file combines one-time hiring records with recurring items such as the annual MVR review and medical qualification records, each with its own retention rules.
Reviewed August 20, 2026
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12
FMCSA REGISTRATION SYSTEM
FMCSA Portal and Motus: Which System Do Carriers Use Now?
Motus is FMCSA's current USDOT registration system. It uses Login.gov and now handles registration work such as biennial updates, company changes, authority actions, and USDOT status changes.
Reviewed August 21, 2026
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15
FLEET COMPLIANCE
Annual DOT Inspection: Trucks, Trailers, Due Dates, and Records
Every commercial vehicle, including each segment of a combination vehicle, must receive a qualifying periodic inspection at least once every 12 months. That includes the trailer.
Reviewed August 21, 2026
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