International Registration Plan (IRP)

Introduction

The International Registration Plan (IRP) is a federally encouraged program to facilitate commercial vehicle registration and operation among states and Canadian jurisdictions. IRP member provinces collect registration fees from their "home based" interstate trucking companies on behalf of each member jurisdiction in which the companies operate and must register.

California computes commercial vehicle weight fees based upon a Gross/Combined Gross Weight (G/CGW) of 10,001 pounds or more.
All IRP trailer registration has been eliminated. A Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Program allows a carrier to receive a trailer identification card and PTI plate. The weight is combined into a new G/CGW of the power unit. Click on forms or call (916) 657-7971 for more information.

What is Apportioned Registration?

Apportioned Registration, under the provisions of the International Registration Plan (IRP), is an optional method of registering commercial vehicles operating interstate.

The IRP was developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators (AAMVA), to authorize commercial vehicle registration programs which recognize the unique needs of interstate vehicle operations and promote commerce.

The IRP licensing agreement provides for apportioned registration fee assessment and licensing on behalf of all participating member jurisdictions. Under this agreement, carriers select a single “BASE” jurisdiction. The base jurisdiction processes the registration application, collects the fees and issues the operating indicia.

Benefits of Apportioned Registration

Apportioned Registration provides fee reduction options for a commercial vehicle registrant operating a fleet of one or more commercial vehicles interstate.

Full annual fees normally paid to each jurisdiction where operation is required are assessed based on the percentage of highway use in each jurisdiction. That is, if an interstate company operates 50% in California, then the full annual California fee is apportioned at 50%. All registration fees due California and other jurisdictions are collected by the carriers’ base jurisdiction and disbursed to other jurisdictions in which the carrier operates. A single registration card, license plate and sticker is issued for each vehicle registered as part of an apportioned fleet.

Qualifying for Apportioned Registration

To register your vehicle(s) under the provision of the IRP, you must have: an established place of business in California, where mileage is accrued by the fleet, and where the operational records of the fleet are maintained or can be made available; and each fleet must consist of one or more commercial vehicles, operating interstate (travel in two or more jurisdictions). NOTE: Vehicles operating INTRASTATE only, do not qualify for Apportioned Registration under the IRP.

Determining Apportioned Fees

Fees are calculated by the percentage of highway use (vehicle operation) in each jurisdiction where registration is desired. Estimated mileage may be reported when the carrier has no history of actual mileage from a previous registration year.

Additionally, there are several data sources (e.g. mileage, revenue record, Certified Averaging, etc) available to determine the apportioned percentage. You may wish to contact the IRP Operations Section in Sacramento for additional assistance in determining the most appropriate plan for your business environment. The telephone number is (916) 657-7971. The mailing address is:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Motor Carrier Services Branch
IRP Operations Section
P. O. Box 932320 MS H-160
Sacramento, CA 94232-3200

Apportioned Fees Due

California apportioned fees are due from the date the vehicle(s) are first operated as part of an apportioned fleet on all original applications, and from the date the vehicle(s) are first added to a fleet on supplemental applications.

To avoid a penalty, fees for subsequent apportioned renewal applications must be paid no later than the last day of the month in which the fleet registration is to expire.
When a carrier files an apportioned application, DMV collects either full 100% California fees due or apportioned fees for California and all IRP jurisdictions as computed by the applicant.
Subsequently, additional fees may be required. A billing notice will be generated and the additional fees must be paid within 20 days of the billing to avoid a penalty assessment.
Commercial vehicles converting from California full annual registration to apportioned registration will receive credit for the remaining months on the full annual registration when converted.

Penalty Fees

The penalties listed below are in addition to all other fees due. On original or supplemental applications, if payment is delinquent for:

1 year or more, 40%
more than 1 year, to and including 2 years, 80%;
more than 2 years, 160% of the fee must be paid as a penalty.

On renewal applications, if payment is delinquent for:

10 days or less, 10%;
more than 10 days to and including 30 days, 20%;
more than 30 days to and including 1 year, 60%;
more than 1 year to and including 2 years, 80%;
more than 2 years, 160% of the fee must be paid as a penalty

Permanent Fleet Registration (PFR)

Permanent Fleet Registration (PFR) is a simplified vehicle registration renewal program designed to allow qualified intrastate commercial fleet vehicles to display perpetual vehicle registration credentials and renew vehicle registrations using a monthly vehicle listing instead of individual vehicle renewal notices.

PFR forms can be obtained on line or you may call (916) 657-9067 for more information.

Who May Apply for Permanent Fleet Registration (PFR)?

Fleets must consist of 50 or more commercial motor vehicles, passenger vehicles, and school buses (both regular and privately owned school bus (PSB). Fleets of 25 or more vehicles may participate if their registration documents are submitted through an association which submits a combined total of 250 or more vehicles for registration. Vehicles that are registered under the PFR program, must be registered in the fleet owner’s name or the name of a fleet subsidiary company or be leased to the fleet owner.

How to Establish a PFR Fleet

Prospective PFR participants should review the PFR handbook and determine whether the requirements for PFR can be met. If so, complete an Application for Permanent Fleet Registration (REG 3500) side A in full and agree to adhere to all program and vehicle registration requirements. Return the completed PFR application to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Motor Carrier Services Branch
PFR Section
P. O. Box 835340 MS H-159
Sacramento, CA 94232-5340

Telephone Number (916) 657-9067
Fax Number (916) 657-9017

PFR Service Fee

In addition to all other fees required by statute, there is a PFR Service Fee of $1 for each vehicle registered as part of a PFR fleet due for the following transactions: Original Fleet Registration, Vehicle Additions and Annual Renewal.