IRP Annual Renewal: Apportioned Registration for Interstate Fleets
CFR Reference: IRP Plan Section 1600 | Max Fine: $500
IRP apportioned registration lets you operate across state lines with a single set of plates. Annual renewal requires accurate mileage reporting by jurisdiction. Expired IRP means citations, impoundment, and costly trip permits.
What It Is
The International Registration Plan (IRP) is a registration reciprocity agreement among US states, DC, and Canadian provinces. It allows carriers to register their fleet in one base state and receive proportional registration for all member jurisdictions. Registration fees are apportioned based on the percentage of miles traveled in each jurisdiction. Each vehicle receives a cab card listing all registered jurisdictions and weight limits.
Who Needs It
Motor carriers operating qualified vehicles in two or more IRP jurisdictions. A qualified vehicle is any power unit used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions that is: a bus used to transport passengers for hire, or any truck or truck-tractor with two axles and a GVWR over 26,000 lbs, or has three or more axles regardless of weight.
Deadline & Frequency
IRP registration must be renewed annually. Deadlines vary by base state. Some states use a calendar-year system (renew by December 31), others use staggered registration years. Your cab card shows the registration expiration date. Begin renewal 60 days before expiration to allow time for processing and receiving new credentials.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Compile actual mileage by jurisdiction
Calculate the total miles each vehicle traveled in each IRP jurisdiction during the reporting period. Use ELD data, GPS records, or manual trip logs. This mileage determines how your registration fees are apportioned among the jurisdictions. New carriers without history can use estimated mileage.
- 2
Update your fleet list
Add any new vehicles acquired since the last registration period. Remove (delete) any vehicles sold, totaled, or no longer in service. Update weight classes if vehicle configurations have changed. Each vehicle on the fleet list will receive a cab card and plate/sticker.
- 3
Submit the renewal application and pay fees
File the IRP renewal with your base state's IRP office (most accept online applications). The system calculates fees based on your mileage allocation and each jurisdiction's fee schedule. Pay the total fee. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
- 4
Receive and distribute credentials
You will receive new cab cards for each vehicle, and plates or year-validation stickers depending on your base state. Distribute cab cards to each vehicle. Replace or update plate stickers. Keep copies of all cab cards at your principal place of business.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Citations at roadside inspections, typically $100-$500 per offense depending on the state.
- Vehicles may be impounded until valid registration is obtained.
- The carrier must purchase temporary trip permits ($15-$50 per state) to move the vehicle legally.
- Expired registration appears on CSA records under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How are IRP fees calculated?
- IRP fees are apportioned based on the percentage of miles you travel in each jurisdiction. If you drove 100,000 total miles and 30,000 were in Texas, you pay 30% of Texas's full registration fee for your weight class. This is calculated for every jurisdiction where you have registered mileage.
- What if I add a new state I did not have before?
- If you begin operating in a new jurisdiction, you must add it to your IRP registration. This can usually be done mid-term through a supplemental application with your base state. You pay the prorated registration fee for the new jurisdiction for the remainder of the registration year.