The International Registration Plan is a registration reciprocity agreement. It exists among the 48 contiguous United States, the District of Columbia, and 10 Canadian provinces. Also known as IRP, the program facilitates the registration and operation of interstate commercial vehicles. It calculates payment of apportionable fees on the basis of the total distance traveled in each jurisdiction.
With IRP, interstate motor carriers can register their fleets for operation in all IRP member jurisdictions. They can do so just by registering with their base jurisdiction. Your base jurisdiction is your home state. The base jurisdiction collects fees for each member jurisdiction in which the carrier operates.
Each state has its own procedure in place for IRP registration. Additionally, each has processing fees, titling and insurance fees, and taxes. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the IRP registration process in your home state.
IRP Registration Process and Fees
To register under the IRP, you must do the following. File an application with the jurisdiction where you established your business. This is known as your base jurisdiction. If your base jurisdiction is in Ohio, you will need to know the process for obtaining apportioned registration in Ohio.
This may be different from the process in California. The best way to go about doing this is to contact your base jurisdiction. They can provide you with IRP registration instructions per state. For example, for an Ohio IRP apportioned license plate, you would need to contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The cost of an apportioned license plate within each jurisdiction is based on a variety of factors. Miles traveled within each jurisdiction and the combined weight of the commercial vehicles are factors. To calculate the apportioned percentage for any given jurisdiction, divide the distance traveled in that jurisdiction by the total fleet distance. Then, multiply the apportioned percentage by that jurisdiction’s annual fee. This will determine the cost per apportioned vehicle.
For example, at a combined weight of 80,000 pounds and a total of 25,000 (25%) miles traveled in Ohio, the Ohio IRP apportioned fee would be $335. Or 25% of the annual fee ($1,340). With a total of 25,000 (25%) miles traveled in Illinois, the apportioned fee would be $797.75. Or 25% of the annual fee ($3,191). For the same percentage of miles traveled in Indiana, the apportioned fee would be $510.50. Or 25% of the annual fee ($2,042).
And for the same percentage of miles traveled in Michigan, the apportioned fee would be $415, or 25% of the annual fee ($1,660).
Qualifying for IRP Registration
The first step in the IRP process is to ensure that your company and your vehicles qualify. To qualify for IRP registration, motor carriers must have an established place of business. They also must operate qualified vehicles in two or more IRP member jurisdictions. Under IRP, a “qualified” vehicle is any vehicle used to transport property or persons for hire across state lines that:
- Has two axles and gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, or
- Has three or more axles, regardless of weight, or
- Is used in combination, when the gross vehicle weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds.
Qualified commercial vehicles are registered as apportioned vehicles under the IRP. These vehicles receive a special apportioned license plate, as well as an apportioned cab card. The cab card details how much weight the vehicle may carry. Also, it denotes which jurisdictions the vehicle has a license to operate.
TruckingOffice IRP Reporting
If you are wondering “What is IRP?” or “How will IRP affect my business?” your best bet is to call TruckingOffice. Ask about our IRP software for trucking companies. We have developed trucking management software specifically designed to help independent carriers take control of their IRP paperwork and keep track of IRP reporting and payments.
There are so many different rules and deadlines when it comes to IRP, IFTA, and DOT. It can be difficult to know what paperwork you are required to submit and when. Unfortunately, similar to IFTA, if you miss an IRP payment or make a mistake on your IRP report, you could face significant penalties. That is why we developed software that takes the numbers you put into a dispatch order and produce a report that is needed to apply for IRP plates. It takes the guesswork out of Ohio IRP or Indiana IRP record-keeping and payments for trucking companies.
We know that you spend long hours on the road and don’t have much time to devote to the administrative side of your business. With our trucking management software, you can generate IRP reports. You can make on-time payments with the click of a button.
The Ohio IRP and Indiana IRP process needs to be as easy and straightforward as possible. This is so you can focus on the part of your business that makes you money – driving.
To simplify your IRP registration process, check out the IRP page here on this website. Our Trucking Management Software can take the hassle out of IRP (and payroll, and IFTA, and invoices, and much more!) for you.
I would like to know if you guys help new comers complete this process
What would I need for my 26ft box truck for IRP documentation?
You would need to check with the IRP office in your state. You can find more information about IRP plates at http://www.truckingoffice.com/irp.
Hello
We are a new company and need to get our IRP.
Can we register in another state? We are based in GA
Most trucking companies register in their home state. However some trucking companies do register in other states, but you have to have a business presence in that state. You could use our IRP Resource page to look up the IRP office in any state and contact them to ask official questions about registration.
Are annual IRP costs based on the miles reported in the previous year and therefore, paid in arrears according to miles completed OR are the costs calculated based on prior miles and paid in advance? If I buy a truck just before renewing the IRP, who is responsible for that payment; me or the previous owner?
You would not be responsible for miles driven by the previous owner. Normally you would estimate how many miles that you will driver and they base the fee on that. Check with your IRP office from your home state to get the official answers to your questions. You can find the official contact information for your IRP office at our IRP directory.
We have a box truck in Illinois with a GVWR under 10,000lbs. Do we still need IRP plates? I’ve been told conflicting info regarding this. Any guidance would be appreciated.
How would a start up carrier that plans on operating in multiple states divide there mileage? Would you just make estimations of how many miles you will travel in each state?