The International Registration Plan (IRP) is a registration reciprocity agreement among states of the United States, the District of Columbia and provinces of Canada providing for payment of apportionable fees on the basis of total distance operated in all jurisdictions.
IRP apportioned plates are required for any apportionable vehicle involved in inter-jurisdictional operations. An apportionable vehicle is defined as:
“Apportionable Vehicle” means (except as provided below) any Power Unit that is used or intended for use in two or more Member Jurisdictions and that is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and:
(i) has two Axles and a gross Vehicle weight or registered gross Vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms), or
(ii) has three or more Axles, regardless of weight, or
(iii) is used in combination, when the gross Vehicle weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms).
A Recreational Vehicle, a Vehicle displaying Restricted Plates, a bus used in the transportation of chartered parties or a government-owned Vehicle, is not an Apportionable Vehicle; except that a Truck or Truck Tractor, or the Power Unit in a Combination of Vehicles having a gross Vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms), or less, and a bus used in the transportation of chartered parties, nevertheless may be registered under the Plan at the option of the Registrant.”
For more information on apportioned registration, go to the IRP, Inc. website www.irponline.org. The IRP website has a section specifically for motor carriers, https://irponline.site-ym.com/?page=MCS
Resources include a short video designed for motor carriers that explains IRP and record keeping.
IRP Video
English Version
Spanish Version
French Version
FAQ:
Q. What jurisdictions are members of the IRP?
A. There are a total of 59 jurisdictions that participate in IRP. The continental 48 states , the District of Columbia, and 10 Canadian Providences ( AB, BC,MD,NB,NL,NS,ON,PE,QC,SK).
Q. What state can I register my vehicle(s) in?
A. You will register your vehicle in your Base jurisdiction or as defined in the IRP Agreement, the jurisdiction where you have an “Established Place of Business”.
ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS
“Established Place of Business” means a physical structure located within the Base Jurisdiction that is owned or leased by the Applicant or Registrant and whose street address shall be specified by the Applicant or Registrant. This physical structure shall be open for business and shall be staffed during regular business hours by one or more persons employed by the Applicant or Registrant on a permanent basis (i.e., not an independent contractor) for the purpose of the general management of the Applicant’s or Registrant’s trucking-related business (i.e., not limited to credentialing, distance and fuel reporting, and answering telephone inquiries). The Applicant or Registrant need not have land line telephone service at the physical structure. Operational Records concerning the Fleet shall be maintained at this physical structure (unless such records are to be made available in accordance with the provisions of Section 1020). The Base Jurisdiction may accept information it deems pertinent to verify that an Applicant or Registrant has an Established Place of Business within the Base Jurisdiction.”
Your base jurisdiction may require copies of utility bills, phone bills or other documents necessary to verify your address and established place of business.
Q. Do I need to keep track of my miles?
A. If you have your own IRP account (even if you are leased to a carrier and they take care of your IFTA), you must keep track of all jurisdictional miles traveled. It will be required to renew your plates and will be needed if you are audited by the IRP. Please view the IRP Video linked above for information pertaining to IRP record keeping requirements.
Q. When do my plates renew?
A. Plates renew at different times of the year depending on your state requirements. Your expiration date is printed on your cab card. If you have not seen a renewal come to you within 45-60 of your expiration date, call your state as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to make sure your plates are renewed on time.
OOIDA Business Services can assist our members with establishing your IRP and processing renewals in most states. If we are unable to file the plates for you, we can connect you to a service that can assist you and usually at a discounted fee for OOIDA members.