Minnesota IRP Information
What is the IRP for trucking? The International Registration Plan is an agreement between the United States and Canada that allows qualifying vehicles to travel in two or more jurisdictions. If you will travel outside your home base of Minnesota, you will be required to obtain an IRP apportioned plate. Once you’ve registered, the IRP office will distribute your paid fees among the jurisdictions on your route.
Minnesota IRP Registration
Before registering for your IRP plates, you need to know if you are required to obtain a USDOT number. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration uses the USDOT number to identify and monitor a carrier’s safety information. More information about the USDOT requirements can be found here.
Next, you must determine whether your vehicle qualifies for an IRP permit. A qualifying vehicle is one that:
- Is designed, maintained, and used to transport property or persons for hire across state lines.
- Has a power unit having 2 axles with a registered weight or gross vehicle weight that exceeds 26,000 pounds, or
- Is a power unit having 3 or more axles, regardless of weight, or
- Is used in combination, with the weight of such combination exceeding 26,000 pounds.
You must also show that you have leased or own an established place of business in the state. The business must be a physical structure with a street address that operates during regular business hours. Employees must be engaged in performing duties related to your trucking business. All operational records pertaining to your business must be maintained at this location.
A Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is required if your vehicle has a registered gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. The IRS form 2290 is used to calculate the total road taxes due.
Renewing Your Minnesota IRP Plates
IRP Minnesota plates are valid for one year only. The prorate registration expires at 12:01 a.m. on March 2. There is no grace period; therefore the new cab card and registration stickers must be displayed by midnight March 1.
You’ll receive a notification from the IRP office by the end of November. To ensure timely processing, it’s essemtoa; to submit the renewal by January 15th. Late payments can result in fines or penalties. The renewal application can be submitted by mail, or you can apply online.
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