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In this state all motor vehicles and trailers are subject to registration except, special mobile equipment and implements of husbandry incidentally operated or moved over the highways.
The registration period for vehicles registered by gross laden weight and trailers over 750 pounds unladen weight are staggered.
License plate display
License plates issued for a vehicle other than a trailer or semitrailer must be attached to the vehicle, one in the front and the other in the rear.
One license plate that displays the letters “APP” is issued for apportioned vehicles, which must be displayed on the front of an apportioned truck tractor or power unit or on the rear of any other apportioned vehicle. A registrant of an apportioned vehicle may request two license plates to display on both the front and rear of the apportioned vehicle.
The license plate issued for a trailer or semitrailer must be attached to the rear of the trailer or semitrailer.
Every license plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued to prevent the plate from swinging; at a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate; and in a place and position to be clearly visible; and maintained free from foreign materials; and in a condition to be clearly legible (a plate is not considered to be covered or illegible if obstructed by the vehicle's trailer or the trailer hitch).
International Registration Plan
Utah is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.
Carriers from the IRP states and provinces operating one or more vehicles having a gross weight in excess of 26,000 pounds or having three or more axles, may apportion in lieu of full registration.
Temporary Permit: One 60-day permit can be issued per unit. Please submit all paper work and pay fees prior to the expiration of the temporary permit. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to extend a temporary permit a few days.
Hunter's Permit: A hunter’s permit is issued to an owner-operator who terminates a lease with a Utah-based carrier (lessee) and who must surrender the apportioned license plate and registration card to the carrier. Hunter’s permits enable a vehicle or combination of vehicles to use the highways in all IRP jurisdictions for the purpose of locating a new carrier (lessee). One permit is valid for the power unit and another is valid for the trailer. The vehicle must have a valid safety inspection dated within the previous 11 months. The hunter’s permit is valid for vehicles operating at empty weight (unladen) only, and is not transferable from vehicle to vehicle. The hunter’s permit must be carried in the cab of the power unit. The hunter’s permit is valid for 30 days.
Agency: State Tax Commission; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).
Fees
In this state, motor vehicles are registered on the basis of gross weight. Combinations of truck and trailer or tractor semitrailer are registered with the combined gross weight placed on the power unit with an identification plate on the trailer unit.
Utah-based carriers are required to pay (1) an ad valorem tax and (2) a registration fee.
Non-Utah-based carrier fee consist of (1) Equalized Highway Use Tax and (2) a registration fee.
If the registration period covers any day in a given month, the entire month is counted.
The Standard fee can be transferred from deleted units to added units. The legal load limit is 80,000 pounds without an overload permit.
SPECIAL 50% FEES
Utah allows a 50% exemption of registration fees for the following types of heavy vehicles: Trucks used exclusively to pump cement, bore wells, or perform crane services with a crane lift capacity of five or more tons. Application must be made to the Utah DMV for approval.
Equalized highway use tax
Equalized highway use tax is not charged on “new” vehicles having an MSO.
The EHUT is only exempted in the "Add" supplement, all renewals of qualified vehicles should charge this fee.
The equalized highway use tax cannot be transferred.
Registered weights are in 2,000 lb increments.
Fee calculation instructions: Non-Utah based carriers
Determine the registration fees based on weight and number of months and multiply the fee by the Utah percent of travel.
Next, based on the Equalized Highway Use Tax chart, figure the amount due for Equalized Highway Use tax. Multiply this number by the Utah percent.
Add the results of the registration fee calculations to the Equalized Highway Use Tax calculation.
Trailer registration
Trailers are registered based upon the make, model, and year. Registration for trailers valid for the life of the trailer or until it is sold is available from the Utah Motor Vehicle Division at a fee.