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Welcome to IRP Registration Services!

IRP stands for International Registration Plan. This is the agreement made between the 48 contiguous United States, the District of Columbia and the ten provinces of Canada. The agreement gives commercial drivers the ability to operate throughout various jurisdictions while conducting their commercial carrier business. License fees are paid by the carrier to the home state where the truck is registered and then distributed by the IRP Program to the various jurisdictions in which the commercial vehicles travel. Per vehicle, IRP tags consisting of one license plate and one cab card are issued. Therefore, implementing this system is much easier than in the past. Prior to the International Registration Plan, truckers had to get separate permits for each area they accrued mileage in outside of their base state.

Trip Permits
Do you only leave your base state once or twice a year? Having an IRP account is a great tool for interstate truckers, but if you mostly operate within your base state as an intrastate driver, it may not be worth the investment. Instead of buying fully IRP apportioned tags, you could get trip permits on a per-use basis. For a small flat fee, these permits allow you to legally operate within states other than your own for a short period. Extra costs may apply based on the state.
The IFTA
Registration fees aren’t the only way that states collect fees from drivers. They also collect revenue from taxes on fuel purchases. Fuel taxes from interstate truckers present the same issues as registration fees: how do states ensure that these fees are shared properly? The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is the solution for these taxes. With an IFTA license, a trucker can ensure that their fuel taxes are automatically shared proportionately across jurisdictions.
Fuel Permits
Just like how the IRP is to Trip Permits, the IFTA is to Fuel Permits. The IFTA is a fuel tax agreement meant for drivers who do interstate trucking. If a trucker only leaves their base state once or twice a year and primarily travels intrastate, then it would be smarter for them to obtain temporary permits with a single-use fuel permit. These are obtained on a per-use basis. They provide temporary fuel tax relief and are best for drivers who only make a few interstate trips in a year.

How Do I Find/Contact My Base Jurisdiction?

Chances are, if you’re registering for an IRP-apportioned license for the first time in order to get your apportioned tags, you will have to become familiar with your base jurisdiction. That is where you and your fleet start and manage your operations for all the trucks that transport between states. Find your jurisdiction’s home site here and come back to us when you would like to know how we can expedite the process.

Jurisdictions Defined
There are 48 jurisdictions in the contiguous United States and 10 in Canada. Your home base jurisdiction is responsible for the collection and distribution of funds to send to each of the other jurisdictions. It’s also an identifier for when a driver travels outside of his/her established place of business to farther lengths. So when you file for an IRP-Apportioned plate, you must possess a single registration plate, a single cab card and the permission granted to operate your business within and beyond your jurisdiction.
Cab Cards
Cab cards, which do differ from other trucking documents such as apportioned plates and the VIN, are still meant to ultimately identify a trucker and show they are compliant. Cab cards are issued after a driver has registered with the International Registration Plan and serve as proof of registration. It is the marker that allows truck drivers to travel interstate without paying any extra fines or fees. Cab cards display every IRP jurisdiction on them and list gross vehicle weight requirements per jurisdiction.
Apportioned Plates
Drivers get their apportioned plates after enrolling in the IRP. Apportioned plates serve as an identifier of the registration being complete and mark the truck as a vehicle that has their fees apportioned, or distributed, among the different states they drive in. This distribution of fees is the exact purpose behind the IRP, so apportioned plates are very essential to the IRP process. It is incredibly important that someone with these plates puts them on before driving interstate, to guarantee that their fees are distributed correctly.

What is the IRP?

Compensation

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the IRP acts as a powerful tool to discourage out-of-service carriers from unsanctioned operations in North America. Furthermore, fees for the IRP are calculated carefully, depending on the percentage of distance the entire fleet traveled, per every jurisdiction. Registrants start in their base jurisdiction when filing for IRP credentials. The base jurisdiction then collects all the license fees due to Member Jurisdictions, where the registrant will operate. License fees are then distributed monthly.

Permission

The International Registration Plan is an agreement across 59 jurisdictions to recognize commercial motor vehicles, that may be registered by other member jurisdictions. These jurisdictions include the 48 contiguous states of the USA, the District of Columbia, and the ten provinces of Canada. When using the Plan, owner-operators can just pay fees based on their distance traveled through member jurisdictions, with an apportioned license plate and a cab card. Together, these identifiers qualify each commercial vehicle for operation through multiple jurisdictions.

Legitimacy

Typically, commercial motor vehicles, weighing over 26,000 pounds or using more than two axles are registered under the IRP. But with no plate, most commercial vehicle drivers are incapable of traveling into neighboring jurisdictions without obtaining a temporary registration permit. As a whole, the IRP watches over 2.4 million commercial trucks across all of the contiguous United States. This fortifies the legitimacy of various fleets operating in North America. Trucks and fleets working solely in their base jurisdiction do not need apportioned registration.

Opportunity

It should be made clear that operating interstate is crucial with all materials. When acquiring the proper IRP-Apportioned Registration, please make sure that you have established your business in a Base Jurisdiction (state, province or D.C.) This will be necessary especially when operating one or more commercial vehicles per fleet on an interstate. We have a friendly staff of live representatives excited to guide you through the process of handling your IRP-registration within the jurisdictions of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia.

FAQs About IRP Registration Services

Which Vehicles Qualify?

Any commercial vehicle that operates at a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or combined gross weight (CGW) of 26,001 pounds or heavier requires IRP registration. Without it, these commercial vehicles will have to obtain alternative commercial trip permits when operating in neighboring jurisdictions. Vehicles that weigh less than 26,000 pounds could be exempt from IRP credentials. To be completely sure about whether or not to file for IRP, reference this IRP directory of all the jurisdictions it covers.

What’s the difference between an IRP-Apportioned Plate and a Cab Card?

The International Registration Plan (IRP) allows commercial vehicles the option to legally operate in jurisdictions different from the base jurisdiction, for a cost-effective price. Oftentimes, it will come in the form of a license plate with the word “apportioned” clear to read. Meanwhile, a Cab Card serves as evidence of registration, besides a plate, for an apportioned vehicle registered under the Plan. This registration is typically by the base jurisdiction and carried in/on the identified vehicle.

How Are Fees Calculated?

The Apportioned Registration Fee for operating a commercial vehicle through state lines varies per jurisdiction. When it comes to the exact math, jurisdictions often get their results from multiplying the mileage percentage traveled by a fleet with the standard state or province registration fee. The weight of your truck also plays into the final amount due when acquiring IRP legitimacy. So be sure to consult us when beginning this process, as our team knows how to do the math that’ll get you and your crew on the interstate in no time!

Why are the fees for registering so high?

The fees comes from the jurisdiction and have many factors that could increase your apportioned registration. Since every jurisdiction sets their own rates, they are also subject to change at any time. Rates could go up if a larger number of your fleet travels through jurisdictions with higher fees.

Who must register under the IRP?

Any commercial vehicle that crosses into multiple jurisdictions must register under the IRP. Furthermore, they must either:

  • Have at least three axels
  • It has two or more axles and a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
  • If the combined weight of your truck and trailer exceeds 26,000 pounds
There are some exceptions for recreational vehicles, restricted vehicles, and government-owned vehicles. It is optional for vehicles with a combined weight of less than 26,000 pounds to register.

Do I need to register my trailer or semi-trailer?

No, the IRP does not require the apportionment of trailers at this time.
The by-law Section 515 of the IRP plan includes the language, “A trailer, semi-trailer, or auxiliary axle that is properly registered in any jurisdiction shall be granted full and free reciprocity.”

Can I get my credentials instantly?

No. Before you receive your credentials, you must submit all requirements. Additionally, some jurisdictions may delay the approval process.

Do I need to return my plate when we close the fleet?

Some jurisdictions require this practice. These jurisdictions do this to create an added layer of protection against the misuse of unexpired plates. Check with your local jurisdiction to see if this is a requirement for your fleet.

What is Base Jurisdiction?

The base jurisdiction is where the motor carrier establishes its headquarters of operation. This is where the business can receive correspondence and have a physical address. All jurisdictions require you to have proof of operations. This proof can be utility bills, state government provided documents of corporation, driver’s licenses, titles, tax returns, or health care cards.

Can I have different IRP and IFTA base jurisdictions?

Yes. Your base jurisdiction does not need to be the same for both registration permits.

Can I still register my vehicle under the IRP if my vehicle is less than 26,000 pounds?

Yes. The IRP still allows vehicles to opt-in to register.

What is the Average Per Vehicle Distance (APVD)?

The APVD is the Average Per Vehicle Distance. This is used to calculate jurisdiction-specific fees. It measures the average distance traveled by all vehicles from your registered jurisdiction to all other IRP member jurisdictions.

Why is the APVD different in each jurisdiction?

The APVD chart is an infographic representation of the average vehicle’s distance from your base jurisdiction to all other IRP member jurisdictions. Vehicles based in different jurisdictions will likely not travel the same distance and therefore have a different APVD.

Do I need to have every jurisdiction on my cab card even if I don’t travel in all of them?

Yes. Every possible jurisdiction will be on your cab card. This is done to help simplify the registration process and allow flexibility.

I have my own estimated distances. Can I use those?

Unfortunately, no. The IRP will use the Average Per Vehicle Distance chart in the event that you do not have the actual reported miles from the previous year.

How do I handle a lapsed registration with and without distance?

If you let your IRP plan lapse for more than 18 months, you will be required to use the Average Per Vehicle Distance Chart miles. If it has been less than 18 months, the application will be treated as a renewal.

What do I do if I have no actual distance in my base jurisdiction?

The IRP requires motor carriers to have some distance traveled in their base jurisdiction. If you do not, your jurisdiction may subject your application to an approval process. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements and approval strategies.

Do I really need to keep records?

Yes. Your records are used to support the distance reported on the IRP application and IFTA Tax returns.

What can cause an audit?

There are numerous reasons you could receive an audit. It very well could just be random and you unluckily drew the short straw. Another reason could come from inconsistencies in reporting. Every motor carrier is subject to an audit at any time, and each base jurisdiction has its own guidelines.

Do different jurisdictions require different documents?

The IRP requires the same documents and information across the board for all jurisdictions. It has the same requirements in regards to record keeping and maintains these requirements for the US and Canada. However, base jurisdictions may require specific supporting documents such as local ad valorem or sales taxes.

How long do I need to save my records?

The IRP requires you to keep records and supporting documents for the current year and the past 3 years.

Broker Authority
Jurisdictions Defined
There are 48 jurisdictions in the contiguous United States and 11 in Canada. Your home base jurisdiction is responsible for the collection and distribution of funds to send to each of the other jurisdictions. It’s also an identifier for when a driver travels outside of his/her established place of business to farther lengths. So when you file for an IRP-Apportioned plate, you must possess a single registration plate, a single cab card and the permission granted to operate your business within and beyond your jurisdiction.
Broker Authority
Cab Cards Vs. VIN
With IRP-apportioned plates, you’re granted the flexibility to operate in other states, with the most prominent fee depending on your miles traveled. Cab Cards are different from the IRP-apportioned plate and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), yet serve a similar purpose. A cab card lists every IRP jurisdiction on it and works in conjunction to list the gross vehicle weight per jurisdiction. When displayed on the side of the vehicle, these cab cards discern the differences between various gross vehicle weights ranges.
Broker Authority
IRP Agents
In the case of leasing vehicles to motor carriers, owner-operators may register for the IRP in ways favorable to the state. For instance, when the lessor is a California resident and when the lessee is a California-owned motor carrier, we are able to step in and assist you thanks to our experienced team. There are also ways to alter your cab card. For instance, if you’d like to decrease the GVW listed on your truck, you must be accountable to show the proper proof of weight change. With us, such changes are easy to process.

Updated 10:13am on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021.

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How Do I Find/Contact My Base Jurisdiction?

Chances are, if you’re registering for an IRP-apportioned license for the first time, you will have to become familiar with your base jurisdiction. That is where you and your fleet start and manage your operations for all the trucks that transport between states. Find your jurisdiction’s home site here and come back to us when you would like to know how we can expedite the process.

USA

USA

How Do I Find/Contact My Base Jurisdiction?

Chances are, if you’re registering for an IRP-apportioned license for the first time, you will have to become familiar with your base jurisdiction. That is where you and your fleet start and manage your operations for all the trucks that transport between states. Find your jurisdiction’s home site here and come back to us when you would like to know how we can expedite the process.

USA