If you are a commercial vehicle owner, you may have heard the term IRP apportioned plates or International Registration Plan (IRP) plates. It refers to a license plate program that allows commercial vehicle owners to have one license plate for their fleet of vehicles that will be legal in all participating jurisdictions. It is essential to have an apportioned plate to operate your commercial vehicle across many states. This blog post will help you understand IRP apportioned plates and why they are necessary for commercial vehicle owners.

What Are IRP Apportioned Plates?

The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an agreement between the United States and Canadian states that standardizes commercial vehicle registration by distributing fees according to the distance traveled in each state. It ensures that the commercial vehicle's taxes and registration fees are divided proportionally between all the states that the vehicle travels. IRP apportioned plates are vehicle license plates that are granted to commercial vehicle owners who operate in two or more states. The apportioned license plate will remain valid until the fleet vehicle registration is renewed annually.

Why Are IRP Apportioned Plates Necessary?

IRP apportioned plates are necessary for commercial vehicle owners because it simplifies the process of licensing and registering their vehicles across different jurisdictions. Prior to the IRP, carriers had to obtain various licenses and permits from each state. The IRP streamlined the process and offered a single license and single issuing point for each carrier. It also ensures that all states share the fees collected from carriers and that they receive taxes based on miles traveled in that particular jurisdiction.

How to Get an IRP Apportioned Plate?

If you're a commercial vehicle owner who wants an IRP plate for your fleet, you must first apply to the base jurisdiction of your fleet. The base jurisdiction is the state or province where the commercial vehicle is registered. The base jurisdiction will approve and issue your IRP apportioned plate. However, the owner must declare their fleet's percentage of distance traveled in every jurisdiction that they operate. Based on this, the fees will be divided and collected accordingly.

What Are the Advantages of IRP Apportioned Plates?

Having an IRP apportioned plate for your commercial vehicle offers several benefits to commercial vehicle owners. It saves time and money by simplifying the registration process, and your fleet remains compliant with various state laws. It's also important to note that the IRP apportioned plate provides greater flexibility for businesses that need to travel outside of their base jurisdiction. IRP plates also help in maintaining proper accounting for tax purposes, as fees and taxes are divided by mileage over all jurisdictions.

What Are the Penalties of Non-Compliance With IRP Apportioned Plates?

Non-compliance with IRP apportioned plates can lead to severe penalties, including fines, impoundment of your fleet, and even a revocation of your vehicle's registration. All the jurisdictions where your commercial vehicle operates have a right to audit your vehicles, and the penalties can vary from state to state. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that your commercial vehicles have the correct IRP apportioned plate and up-to-date information on hand.

IRP apportioned plates are essential for commercial vehicle owners who want to operate their fleets across different jurisdictions. It simplifies the registration process, saves time and money, and ensures compliance with various state laws. It's critical to obtain an apportioned plate from the base jurisdiction and declare the fleet's percentages of distance traveled in each jurisdiction. Non-compliance with IRP regulations can lead to severe penalties, fines, and impoundment of your fleet. Therefore, if you operate a commercial vehicle, you must get an IRP apportioned plate in your base jurisdiction to remain compliant.

For more information about IRP apportioned plates, reach out to a professional in your area.