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International Registration Plan (IRP)
Nova Scotia is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). Nova Scotia-based carriers operating apportionable vehicles in Nova Scotia and one or more other member jurisdictions are subject to IRP.
An apportioned vehicle is any commercial vehicle used for the transportation of persons or property and:
- Is a power unit having a gross weight in excess of 11,794 kilograms (26,000 pounds); or
- Is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
- Is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 11,794 kilograms (26,000 pounds) gross vehicle weight.
Commercial/trailer registration expires December 31 each year and shall be renewed annually upon application by the owner, and by payment of the fees as required by law.
Fees
Nova Scotia has a staggered registration schedule.
Nova Scotia fees are based on the laden weight of the vehicle.
Fees are as follows:
| Registered weight (kg) | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 5,001 - 6,000 | $382.45 |
| 6,001 - 7,000 | $446.00 |
| 7,001 - 8,000 | $509.60 |
| 8,001 - 9,000 | $573.05 |
| 9,001 - 10,000 | $636.65 |
| 10,001 - 11,000 | $700.20 |
| 11,001 - 12,000 | $763.70 |
| 12,001 - 13,000 | $828.55 |
| 13,001 - 14,000 | $892.05 |
| 14,001 - 15,000 | $955.60 |
| 15,001 - 16,000 | $1,019.20 |
| 16,001 - 17,000 | $1,082.65 |
| 17,001 - 18,000 | $1,146.25 |
| 18,001 - 19,000 | $1,209.80 |
| 19,001 - 20,000 | $1,273.30 |
| 20,001 - 21,000 | $1,338.10 |
| 21,001 - 22,000 | $1,401.75 |
| 22,001 - 23,000 | $1,465.15 |
| 23,001 - 24,000 | $1,528.80 |
| 24,001 - 25,000 | $1,592.35 |
| 25,001 - 26,000 | $1,655.85 |
| 26,001 - 27,000 | $1,720.55 |
| 27,001 - 28,000 | $1,783.00 |
| 28,001 - 29,000 | $1,847.60 |
| 29,001 - 30,000 | $1,911.30 |
| 30,001 - 31,000 | $1,974.75 |
| 31,001 - 32,000 | $2,038.35 |
| 32,001 - 33,000 | $2,101.90 |
| 33,001 - 34,000 | $2,165.35 |
| 34,001 - 35,000 | $2,228.95 |
| 35,001 - 36,000 | $2,292.55 |
| 36,001 - 37,000 | $2,356.00 |
| 37,001 - 38,000 | $2,420.90 |
| 38,001 - 39,000 | $2,484.35 |
| 39,001 - 40,000 | $2,547.95 |
| 40,001 - 41,000 | $2,611.50 |
| 41,001 - 42,000 | $2,675.10 |
| 42,001 - 43,000 | $2,738.55 |
| 43,001 - 44,000 | $2,802.15 |
| 44,001 - 45,000 | $2,865.70 |
| 45,001 - 46,000 | $2,930.45 |
| 46,001 - 47,000 | $2,994.05 |
| 47,001 - 48,000 | $3,057.65 |
| 48,001 - 49,000 | $3,121.10 |
| 49,001 - 50,000 | $3,184.65 |
| 50,001 - 51,000 | $3,248.15 |
| 51,001 - 52,000 | $3,311.70 |
| 52,001 - 53,000 | $3,375.30 |
| 53,001 - 54,000 | $3,438.75 |
| 54,001 - 55,000 | $3,500.15 |
| 55,001 - 56,000 | $3,567.10 |
| 56,001 - 57,000 | $3,630.70 |
| 57,001 - 58,000 | $3,694.25 |
| 58,001 - 58,500 | $3,726.60 |
| 58,501 - 59,000 | $3,757.85 |
| 59,001 - 60,000 | $3,821.45 |
| 60,001 - 61,000 | $3,885.00 |
| 61,001 - 62,000 | $3,948.60 |
| 62,001 - 62,500 | $4,012.15 |
Application for registration of gross vehicle weight in excess of 14,000 kilograms must be accompanied by completed form MV62G to show distance between axles, tire sizes and manufacturer’s certificate of steering axle rating if steering axle weight to be in excess of 5,000 kilograms.
Temporary registration permits
The following types of temporary registration permits are available in certain circumstances:
- Temporary breakdown permits. If a carrier has a vehicle that has been disabled and not operational, but the vehicle has a valid and unexpired IRP registration, then a temporary breakdown permit may be issued to allow a replacement vehicle to operate temporarily in place of the disabled vehicle. The replacement vehicle must have valid U.S. or Canadian registration (either commercial registration or registration under IRP). Temporary breakdown permits are valid for 15 days.
- Temporary number permit. A temporary number permit may be issued to a carrier to allow the vehicle to operate while waiting for the permanent apportioned plates to be issued. A temporary number permit will be issued to vehicles with a registered weight of 5,000 kilograms or less and that have a valid safety inspection certificate (issued from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island). Temporary number permits are valid for 30 days.
- Unladen weight permit. An unladen weight permit allows the temporary registration of an unladen vehicle by its owner-operator. In order to qualify for an unladen weight permit, the vehicle may not be registered under IRP. In addition, the vehicle must have a valid permit and Nova Scotia plates and a valid safety inspection certificate (from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island). Lastly, the owner-operator’s lease with the carrier must have been terminated and the owner-operator must have given the plate back to the carrier. Unladen weight permits are valid for 30 days.
To apply for a temporary registration permit, the applicant must submit the following to the Registrar:
- A completed application form;
- The application fee; and
- Proof of financial responsibility.
If a carrier is applying for a temporary number permit, then the carrier also has the option of applying for the temporary permit through a licensed dealer.
Temporary permits must be displayed in the vehicle’s lower right corner of the windshield. If a temporary permit is issued for a trailer or a semitrailer, then the permit must be carried in the cab. The permit must be removed from the vehicle and disposed of after the permit’s expiration date.
Temporary permits are not transferable.
Drivers operating replacement vehicles under a temporary breakdown permit must carry with them the disabled vehicle’s original apportioned license plate and the disabled vehicle’s permit and cab card.
| Temporary breakdown permit | $62.30 |
| Temporary number permit | 13.20 |
| Book of 20 temporary number permits issued by a licensed dealer for up to 30 days for $12.10 each, pending issue of number plate and permit | 211.75 |
| Temporary unladen weight permit | 17.50 |