• The International Registration Plan (IRP) defines “base jurisdiction” as the jurisdiction where the registrant has a place of business, where mileage is accrued by the fleet, and where operational records are maintained.
• A jurisdiction may require whatever information the jurisdiction deems pertinent to show that the registrant has an established place of business within the jurisdiction and that all proper fees and taxes are paid.
• A registration cab card identifies the vehicle for which it is issued and reflects the gross weight the vehicle can operate in each jurisdiction.

Determining base jurisdiction

Under the International Registration Plan (IRP), “base jurisdiction” means the jurisdiction where the registrant has an established place of business, where mileage is accrued by the fleet, and where operational records of the fleet are maintained or can be made available.

The physical structure must be designated by a street number or road location, be open during normal business hours, and have located within it:

• A telephone or telephones publicly listed in the name of the fleet registrant,
• A person or persons conducting the fleet registrant’s business, and
• The operational records of the fleet (unless such records can be made available).

The trucking-related business within the base jurisdiction must constitute more than just credentialing, distance and fuel reporting, and/or answering a telephone. Employees in the permanent employment of the registrant--not contractual labor--must be performing the trucking-related duties. A jurisdiction may require whatever information the jurisdiction deems pertinent to show that the registrant has an established place of business within the jurisdiction and that all proper fees and taxes are paid.

Apportioned registration under the IRP applies only to the vehicle licensing; it does not satisfy operating authority, Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), fuel tax (IFTA), or any other taxes required by other federal or state agencies.

Base jurisdiction application

Upon receipt of carrier’s application and payment of apportioned fees, a license plate and registration (cab) card is issued for each vehicle registered. The cab card will appropriately identify the vehicle for which it is issued. The cab card reflects the registered gross weight the vehicle can operate in each jurisdiction. This is required for enforcement purposes, because even though a vehicle is properly registered in its base jurisdiction with regard to declared gross weight, the vehicle must also comply with existing weight laws or regulations in the other jurisdictions it is expected to operate. Therefore, a vehicle can be registered for different weight classes in various jurisdictions, and it is important that the vehicle not operate in any jurisdiction at a heavier weight than that listed on the cab card.

Such registration cards must be carried in or upon the vehicle for which it has been issued at all times. Only the base jurisdiction can issue the registration cab card. The base jurisdiction, however, has the option of not issuing plates and cab cards until it has received proof of payment due all member jurisdictions. It should also be noted that all plates and cab cards may be subject to cancellation and revocation in the event the registrant’s apportioned fees are not paid.

For International Registration Plan (IRP) registration purposes, “base jurisdiction” is the state or province where carrier has an established place of business and where distance and operations records are maintained and can be made available for audit purposes. For registration purposes, an “established place of business” is a physical structure that is owned, leased, or rented by the motor carrier or registrant. The structure address must be denoted by an actual street number or road location (just a P.O. Box is not sufficient), have at least one employee working there during normal business hours, and keep the vehicle operating records at the location. Some jurisdictions require proof of an actual working place of business by requiring the registrant to provide a copy of the phone bill, rental contract, or even proof of paid real estate taxes.