['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']
['Vehicle Registration Permits']
10/24/2024
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All motor vehicles and trailers used on Alabama highways must be registered. Alabama registers vehicles based on gross weight.
Motor vehicles are registered through license plate issuing offices in the county in which the owner resides. If the owner is a firm, corporation, or association, the motor vehicle is registered in the county the motor vehicle will be used or operated. International Registration Plan (IRP) trucks and truck tractors — operating to points outside of Alabama — are registered through the Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, Motor Carrier Services Unit.
Agency: Department of Revenue; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).
License plate display
Alabama generally requires license plates to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
However, due to the configuration and use of certain vehicles, placement of license plates in this manner may not be practical. Therefore, license plates must be displayed on the front of the following types of vehicles:
- Truck tractors; or
- Trucks when:
- The license plate is difficult to read because of the truck bumpers or truck lift or other permanent obstruction;
- The license plate is subject to being bent, defaced, or mutilated because of the commodity hauled or the use made of the truck; or
- The license plate is subject to being covered with dirt, chemicals, etc., because of vehicle design or use (i.e., dump trucks, trash, or garbage trucks).
International Registration Plan
Alabama is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a commercial vehicle registration agreement between the contiguous United States and Canadian provinces that allows interstate carriers to operate under a single registration plate and registration certificate offered by the carriers base state. Commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce and registered under the IRP are registered through the Department of Revenue.
Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:
- A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
- A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
- A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.
Temporary permit: When the carrier wishes to create an apportioned fleet, add vehicles to an apportioned fleet, or make changes to an existing fleet, the Department of Revenue may issue Temporary Evidence of Apportioned Registration (TEAR) if requested by the carrier. Stipulations of a TEAR include:
- A TEAR won't be issued on a renewal vehicle;
- The TEAR is issued to a specific vehicle and can't be transferred to another vehicle;
- The registrant is required to pay for the registration prior to obtaining the TEAR; and
- A TEAR is only valid until the date shown on the permit, and is in no case valid beyond a date 60 days from date of issuance.
Hunter's permit or temporary tag: The IRP provides a means of registration for owner-operators when hunting for a carrier with whom they can lease. The hunter's permit authorizes the operation of a vehicle for 20 days at the empty weight of the vehicle. An owner-operator may secure this 20-day temporary registration from the License Plate Issuing Official of the county in which the owner-operator is based.
Agency: Applications are faxed, mailed, or delivered to the Department of Revenue.
Fees: Registration fees are dependent on mileage traveled in IRP member jurisdictions, the fee structure of the member jurisdictions, and the number of months the vehicle(s) is to be registered. Alabama fees are apportioned based on the fee schedule provided within Section 40-12-248.
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['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']
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Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.