Unified Registration System, FMCSA Registration/Updates

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
199737	FMCSA Registration/Update(s) Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2126-0051	ICR Reference No: 202602-2126-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202302-2126-001
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FMCSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Unified Registration System, FMCSA Registration/Updates
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 03/26/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2026
Responses	183,261	94,619
Time Burden (Hours)	245,570	126,789
Cost Burden (Dollars)	54,978,200	28,385,700

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Abstract: This information collection request is a renewal for mandatory reporting which applies to new registrants that are subject to FMCSA’s licensing, registration, and certification regulations. Form MCSA-1 is an interactive, online form that allows users to see and complete only sections that are applicable to their specific operation(s). There is no paper version of Form MCSA-1; users must complete the form online, accessible via the Unified Registration System (URS). Form MCSA-1 requests information to identify the applicant, the nature and scope of its proposed operations, safety-related details, and information regarding the drivers and vehicles it plans to use in U.S. operations. The information on Form MCSA-1 is collected only at initial registration (i.e., it is a one-time collection of information). New registrants seeking initial operating authority with FMCSA must fill out Form MCSA-1. Every interstate and intrastate hazardous material motor carrier operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) is required to register with FMCSA to obtain a USDOT Number. Most for-hire carriers are also required to file a separate application for operating authority. Existing registrants seeking additional authorities must use forms from the OP-1 series, including OP-1, OP-1(P), OP-1(FF), and OP-1(NNA). New and existing Mexico-domiciled carriers must apply for authority using Form OP-1(MX). FMCSA and the States use registration information collected via Form MCSA-1 to track motor carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, and other entities they regulate. Registering motor carriers is essential to being able to identify carriers so that their safety performance can be tracked and evaluated. The data make it possible to link individual trucks to the responsible motor carrier, thus implementing the mandate under 49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(1) to ensure that CMVs are maintained and operated safely. Registration information collected via Form MCSA-1 informs prioritization of the Agency’s activities and aids in assessing and statistically analyzing the safety outcomes of those activities. This ICR renewal request includes an increase in the estimated burden hours and burden cost to respondents and increased cost to the Federal government. This estimate is based off the increased number of respondents/responses calculated based on the number of new entrants who applied using Form MCSA-1 during calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024, which results in these estimates of annual respondents/responses and burden hours for the upcoming information collection period.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 13908 Name of Law: Registration and other reforms
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 51436	11/17/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 13930	03/23/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
FMCSA Registration/Update(s)	MCSA-1	FMCSA Registration/Update(s)

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	183,261	94,619	0	0	88,642	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	245,570	126,789	0	0	118,781	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	54,978,200	28,385,700	0	0	26,592,500	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The estimated annual respondents/responses for the Form MCSA-1 increased from 94,619 in the previously approved ICR to 183,261 in the current ICR. The estimated annual burden hours for the Form MCSA-1 increased by 118,780 hours to 245,569 hours [245,569 proposed hours – 126,789 currently approved hours = 118,780 hours]. The average annual estimated MCSA filing cost to respondents increased from $28,385,700 to $54,978,200. The estimate is based off the increased number of respondents/responses calculated based on the number of new entrants who applied using Form MCSA-1 during calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024, which results in these estimates of annual respondents/responses and burden hours for the upcoming information collection period.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $6,453,612

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 03/26/2026

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