Vehicle registration requirements - Arizona

License plate display

Arizona law requires that a license plate must be displayed on the rear of all vehicles. Additionally, the license plate must be:

• Displayed so the license plate is clearly legible,
• Attached securely to prevent swinging,
• Attached at a height at least 12 inches from the ground to the bottom of the plate, and
• Displayed without obscuring or covering the name of the state at the top of the license plate.

Digital license plates are available for registered vehicles within Arizona. Digital plates may only be displayed on devices approved by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The authorized digital license plate display device manufacturer is Reviver. The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) will continue to assign the license plate number.

International Registration Plan

Arkansas 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.

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: Carriers adding new or additional vehicles to an apportioned fleet may request the IRP Unit to issue temporary permit. The registration of the vehicle covered by the temporary permit must be completed within the 30-day limit of the permit. The temporary permit covering a specific vehicle can't be transferred to another vehicle. There is no fee to receive a temporary permit.

Hunter's or unladen weight permit: The IRP provides for an unladen weight permit for owner-operators not operating as a lessor. The permit is purchased through the IRP Unit at a fee of $39. Agency [bold]: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Fees [bold]: Fees apply to vehicle registration, including an annual $5 commercial motor vehicle fee for each power unit and trailer.

Arizona 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 a vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.

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.

To open a new IRP account within Arizona, you must either mail your completed IRP application to the Motor Carrier Licensing Unit of the Arizona MVD, or you can submit the required documents to a third-party vendor authorized by the MVD to perform IRP transactions. These are the requirements:

• A $10 filing fee;
• New carrier checklist;
• IFTA/IRP application;
• IRP apportioned registration application;
• Record keeping agreement;
• Power of attorney of the motor carrier (if applicable);
• Copy of the title or proof of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for each vehicle being added to the fleet;
• Copy of the IRS form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, for each unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of 55,000 pounds or greater;
• United States Department of Transportation number; and
• Operating authority.

You must also submit evidence of your established place of business within Arizona or proof of residency within Arizona.

Temporary permit: A Commercial IRP Apportioned vehicle isn't eligible to receive a 30-Day general use permit. However, motor carriers may use temporary proportional registrations for vehicles that are added to an existing fleet or in lieu of lost registrations as well as pending receipts of permanent or replacement registrations. The 90-Day IRP temporary permit is issued by Arizona MVD's Motor Carrier Services Department, or Authorized Third Party Providers, and Authorized Title Services companies.

Hunter's or unladen weight permit: An unladen weight permit is issued to an owner-operator (lessor) who terminates a lease and has to surrender the apportioned license plate and cab card to the carrier (lessee). This permit enables a driver to use the highways in all jurisdictions for the purpose of finding a new job. The permit is nontransferable and is only valid for vehicles operating at unladen weight. Additionally, the permit is valid for 30 days at a cost of $20.

Agency: Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division.

Fees: The Arizona fees include registration fee, vehicle license tax, commercial registration fee, weight fee, motor carrier fee, use fee, and air quality diesel fee. In addition to these fees, you also pay the applicable registration fees due for each member jurisdiction in which you choose to travel.

Trailer registration: Trailer registration is determined by whether the trailer will be used for commercial purposes, and on the weight of the trailer. Noncommercial trailers with a declared gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less will be issued a permanent registration, with a one-time $125 registration fee. The $125 registration fee is reduced to $75 if converting a current commercial trailer registration to noncommercial. Trailers with a declared gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds will also be issued a permanent registration, with a one-time $800 registration fee. If previously registered in another state and the model year of the trailer is less than six years old, the $800 fee is reduced to $500; however, if the trailer is at least six years old, the $800 fee is reduced to $195.