CMV Registration & IRP Renewal: What Carriers Need to Know
CFR Reference: 49 USC 31301 | Max Fine: $500
Every CMV must have current registration. For interstate carriers, the IRP (International Registration Plan) provides apportioned plates covering all jurisdictions. Expired registration means citations, impoundment, and costly trip permits at every state line.
What It Is
Vehicle registration is the legal authorization to operate a vehicle on public roads. The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an agreement among states, DC, and Canadian provinces that allows motor carriers to register their fleet in a single base state and receive registration proportional to the miles traveled in each jurisdiction. IRP cab cards list all jurisdictions where the vehicle is registered and the weight limits in each.
Who Needs It
All CMVs operating on public roads. Vehicles traveling in two or more IRP jurisdictions (states/provinces) need IRP apportioned registration. Vehicles operating only within one state may use standard state registration. Rental trucks, buses, and government vehicles may have different requirements.
Deadline & Frequency
IRP registration must be renewed annually. The registration year and renewal deadline vary by base state. Some states use a calendar year (January-December), others use a staggered system. Begin the renewal process 30-60 days before expiration. You will need updated mileage data by jurisdiction for the renewal application.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Compile mileage by jurisdiction
IRP renewal requires reporting actual miles traveled in each jurisdiction during the prior reporting period. Use your fleet management system, ELD data, or IFTA fuel records to calculate jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction mileage. Accurate mileage determines your registration fees in each state.
- 2
Submit the renewal application
File the IRP renewal application with your base state's IRP office. Most states accept online applications. Include your fleet list (adding or deleting vehicles), updated mileage data, and payment for registration fees. Fees are apportioned based on miles traveled in each jurisdiction.
- 3
Receive and display credentials
Upon approval, you receive new cab cards for each vehicle listing all registered jurisdictions and weight limits. Display the IRP plate on the vehicle. Keep the cab card in the vehicle at all times. Some states issue year-specific registration stickers for the plate.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Citations at roadside inspections or weigh stations, typically $100-$500 per offense.
- The vehicle may be impounded until proper registration is obtained.
- The carrier may be required to purchase temporary trip permits at each state border.
- Expired registration is a Vehicle Maintenance BASIC violation in CSA scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is IRP registration?
- IRP (International Registration Plan) is a registration agreement among US states, DC, and Canadian provinces. Instead of buying separate plates for each state, you register in one base state and pay registration fees proportional to the miles you travel in each jurisdiction. You receive one set of apportioned plates and cab cards listing all jurisdictions.
- How is the IRP registration fee calculated?
- Fees are based on the percentage of miles traveled in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction's registration fee for your vehicle's weight class. If 30% of your miles are in Texas and 20% in Oklahoma, you pay 30% of Texas's full registration fee and 20% of Oklahoma's full fee, and so on for each jurisdiction.
- What is a cab card?
- A cab card is the IRP registration credential that must be kept in each vehicle. It lists the vehicle identification, registered weight, and all jurisdictions where the vehicle is registered. Law enforcement checks the cab card during roadside inspections to verify the vehicle is properly registered for the jurisdiction it is operating in.