• Motor carriers are required to have the proper authorization permits—either permanent, trip, or temporary—before operating in a jurisdiction.
• There are several different circumstances under which a trip permit may be needed to satisfy the vehicle registration obligations for interstate travel.
• If a vehicle has three or more axles regardless of its weight, counting axles on the power unit or truck only, then it is subject to both the International Registration Plan (IRP) and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).

Motor carriers are required to have the proper authorization permits before operating in a jurisdiction. Usually, carriers obtain “permanent” permits annually for operating authority, vehicle registration (IRP) and fuel use (IFTA). If travel is required in a jurisdiction for which the carrier does not have permanent permits, a trip, or temporary, permit must be obtained.

Trip permits are authorized by the state agencies responsible for regulatory oversight and can be obtained through wire services.

Depending upon the state, trip permits are valid for a defined period of time or for a single trip. The fee is determined by the state, and wire services charge an additional fee.

Trip permits are generally purchased individually by state and are needed before the travel takes place and must be obtained from the intended state(s) of operation.

Interstate motor carriers are required to have proper vehicle license/registration for each jurisdiction of travel. Unlike cars, which can travel freely anywhere in the United States and Canada with a legally valid license plate from any state or province, commercial motor carriers must register their vehicles and pay fees in every jurisdiction in which they will travel.

When operating a commercial vehicle in a jurisdiction in which it is not properly registered, a trip permit is necessary. The trip permit serves as a “temporary license plate.”

When is a trip permit required?

There are a few different circumstances under which a trip permit may be needed to satisfy the vehicle registration obligations for interstate travel:

1. Intrastate qualified commercial motor vehicles that do not have credentials under the International Registration Plan (IRP) but need to travel on an interstate trip. A “qualified” or “apportionable vehicle” under the IRP is: a power unit having two axles and a GVW or RGVW in excess of 26,000 pounds; or a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or a power unit used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds.
2. Interstate trucks and truck tractors, and combinations of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less. Such vehicles are not required to apportion under the IRP; however, they may be proportionally registered at the option of the registrant. When a vehicle is not apportioned, it is subject to individual jurisdiction registration laws and automatic reciprocity is not granted. Depending upon the jurisdictions of travel, a trip permit may be required for interstate travel and/or intrastate travel.
3. Vehicles operating interstate on restricted plates. Restricted plates have some restriction on their use, such as commodity, mileage, geographic area, or time (under one year). Transporter plates, dealer plates, and farm plates are examples of restricted plates. These plates are valid for travel in the state of issue under the terms and conditions accompanying the plate. However, they do not receive automatic reciprocity for travel outside the state of issue. Before traveling interstate with a restricted plate, contact the jurisdictions of travel to determine whether reciprocity is granted or a trip permit is needed.

A handful of states will limit the number of trip permits issued to a carrier or vehicle within a certain timeframe established by the state.

Trip permit requirements for vehicles under 26,000 pounds

While a two-axle vehicle with a gross weight or registered weight that is equal to or under 26,000 pounds is exempt from the International Registration Plan (IRP) (but may be registered under IRP at the registrant’s option), several states require trip permits or IRP plates for these vehicles.

Reminder: if a vehicle has three or more axles regardless of its weight, counting axles on the power unit or truck only, then it is subject to both the IRP and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).

Interstate refers to operation through the state while intrastate refers to point-to-point operations, or work “within” the state.