Unlike private automobiles, commercial motor vehicle registrants must pay vehicle registration fees to each jurisdiction in which they operate. To travel across state or provincial borders carriers may be subject to apportioned registration under the International Registration Plan (IRP).

Vehicle license registration, either base plate or IRP, does not meet requirements for Operating Authority under Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) or fuel taxes under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), and does not allow a carrier to exceed legal size and weight limits, transport alcohol, or haul hazardous materials without first obtaining the necessary permits.