The International Registration Plan or IRP is the method of registering fleets of vehicles that have been traveling in two or more member jurisdictions. All states (except Alaska and Hawaii), Washington D.C., and Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon) are members of the plan. However, people who have qualified motor vehicles are subjected to IRP licensing, reporting and record-keeping requirements until and unless the vehicle is exempt or trip permit has been acquired.
To qualify for IRP, motor carriers need to register the vehicles in their base jurisdiction. A fleet, according to the IRP is one or more vehicles that pay registration fees in various states other than the base jurisdiction. The base jurisdiction collects appropriate fee and then distributes them to other jurisdictions based on the place where the IRP registration has been requested. An IRP registration fee mostly depends on the kind of operation requested and other aspects such as:
- Percentage of miles covered in each member jurisdiction
- Registered gross weight of each vehicle
- Number of vehicles in a carrier’s fleet
The registration revenue is shared among the member jurisdiction, providing a proportional share.
Credentials:
Each carrier is provided with one registration cab and one license plate for each vehicle in the fleet. Once the vehicles are registered under IRP are considered registered and they don’t exempt carriers from any jurisdiction requirements, which include:
- Authority requirements for operating
- Insurance filing
- Vehicle size
- Weight requirements
- Motor fuel or road tax licensing and reporting
Qualified Motor Vehicle:
IRP registration is valid for vehicles used for the transportations of either persons or property. Additionally, the vehicles should be rolling in two or more IRP registrations.
- The power unit have three or more axles, regardless of the weight
- Having the gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds (11,794 kg)
- The vehicles are to be used in combination that exceeds the 26,000 pounds weight limit
Intrastate Operations (Vehicles less than 26,001 pounds):
If the vehicle weighs less than 26,000 pounds and operates in another jurisdiction beside the base jurisdiction, it is required to register for that jurisdiction. These vehicles are generally registered through IRP instead of obtaining non apportioned registration from both the base jurisdiction and the other jurisdiction where intrastate operations occur.
IRP registration is required for vehicles traveling in two or more jurisdictions; similarly, filing IFTA is mandatory for motor carriers crossing one or more jurisdictions. IRP is a registration done to cross other jurisdictions and IFTA is paying taxes for crossing the same. However, on essential grounds, both are equally important and mandatory. So truckers, get your documents ready as the third quarter due date is falling on October 31st. With the due date round the corner, truckers’ prepare your tax return at taxifta.com and eliminate the error finding session and save time.
Although we support only preparing of IFTA forms, our team is consists of tax experts, filled with knowledge and experience to sort out your queries related to IFTA and serve you with the best. Happy IFTA filing!