IRP Handbook

Driver Education illustration

Section 3 of 15

Chapter 3: Fleet Distance and Vehicle Weight Requirements

3.000 – INTRODUCTION

This chapter details the requirements for determining fleet distance and qualified vehicle weights.

The reported fleet distance, shown on the California IRP Carrier Data Schedule A/B (MC 2117 I), is used to determine the distance percentages used to calculate the fees due in each Member Jurisdiction the apportioned vehicle is operated.  Fees for individual vehicles are determined based on the vehicle’s operating weight as declared by the applicant and reported on the California IRP Vehicle Data Schedule C (MC 2118 I).

3.005 – REPORTING FLEET DISTANCE

Fleet distance for fleets that have interstate travel history is always determined based on the historical distance generated by the power unit(s) that were part of the interstate fleet during the distance reporting period of a the fiscal year preceding the current registration year.  Distances generated under trip permits must be reported as actual miles.

All vehicle distance (intrastate and interstate, loaded and empty, deadhead and bobtail, or trip permit) must be reported.  Reportable distances include all off –highway distance and any distance generated by apportioned units leased to other carriers and individuals.

3.010 – FLEETS WITH AN ESTABLISHED TRAVEL HISTORY

Original applications for fleets with an established pattern of interstate operation shall report the actual distance traveled in each jurisdiction for the distance reporting period (July 1 through June 30) with respect to the vehicles registered, or the fleet, as appropriate.

Examples requiring the use of actual distance include:

  • IRP fleets previously based in another IRP Member Jurisdiction that have moved their IRP base registration to California.
  • A first-time apportioned carrier with interstate experience based on trip permits or dual intrastate registration.
  • Vehicle moved from one fleet to another fleet.
  • Fleets are combined.

When distance history is available for use, disclose the reason and basis for the distance data used on the Schedule A/B.

3.015 – FLEETS WITH NO ESTABLISHED TRAVEL HISTORY
    
Fleet distance for original applications with no established pattern of interstate travel will be determined, by the IRP Operations Unit, using the Average Per – Vehicle Distance (APVD) Chart.  When using the APVD, the distance shown for each jurisdiction will be multiplied by the total number of vehicles to determine the correct distance for the fleet.

3.020 – CONTIGUOUS DISTANCE

All reported actual distance must, with rare exception, reflect contiguous travel.  Registrants that have legitimate non-contiguous operations must submit a Statement of Facts explaining the nature of the non-contiguous travel.

3.025 – CALIFORNIA DECLARED JURISDICTIONAL WEIGHTS

California has two separate weight fee structures – Unladen and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW/CGW).

Vehicles that will operate singly or in combination with trailers at 10,000 pounds or less are assessed unladen weight fees.  For vehicles to be registered in this category, enter the unladen weight on Schedule C or the renewal “Jurisdictional GVW or CGW Corrections Page” and show “U” as the California weight indicator.  Vehicles so registered will indicate California maximum weight of 10,000 lbs. in the jurisdictional weight grid on the cab card.

Vehicles that will operate singly without trailers at 10,001 pounds or more are assessed gross vehicle weight fees.  For vehicles to be registered in this category, enter the maximum gross vehicle operating weight on Schedule C or the renewal “Jurisdictional GVW Corrections Page and show “G” as the California weight indicator. Vehicles so registered will indicate the declared gross weight in the jurisdictional weight grid on the cab card.

Vehicles that will operate in combination with trailers at 10,001 CGW or more are assessed gross vehicle weight fees.  For vehicles to be registered in this category, enter the maximum combined gross vehicle operating weight on Schedule C or the renewal “Jurisdictional CGW Corrections Page” and show “C” as the California weight indicator.  Vehicles so registered will indicate the declared combined gross weight in the jurisdictional weight grid on the cab card.

Weight decals and a year sticker are required to be displayed on each commercial vehicle subject to weight fees pursuant to CVC Section 9400.1.  For original and supplement IRP applications, each will receive a pair of weight decals and a year sticker for each vehicle.  For each renewal application, each commercial vehicle will receive a pair of weight decals and current year sticker to place on existing weight decals.  The weight decals reflect the top of the weight range (in thousands from 10,001 to 80,000 lbs.) of the declared gross weight or gross combined operating weight reported to the department.


3.030 – FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS DECLARED JURISDICTIONAL WEIGHTS
    
All IRP Member Jurisdictions assess registration fees to power vehicles based upon the declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) or combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) of the vehicle operated singly or in combination with any and all trailers pulled.  Many jurisdictions assess registration fees to buses based on the number of seats, including the driver’s seat.

IRP registrants must declare the GVW or CGW that each power unit will operate in each jurisdiction.  A weight decal will be required for each power unit.

The weight declared will be used to calculate jurisdictional fees due and will be the basis for vehicle weight enforcement in each IRP jurisdiction.  Vehicles operated in excess of the declared gross vehicle weight as shown on the cab card are subject to violation and citation in the IRP jurisdiction(s) where the declared weight is exceeded.

If the Schedule C box indicating “Maximum weight all jurisdictions” is marked, the cab cards for the power unit(s) will be issued indicating 80,000 lbs. GVW or CGW in all jurisdictions except Alberta, Canada (90,000 lbs.).

Weights higher than 80,000 lbs. may be entered on a Schedule C , but if the weight requested is higher than a jurisdiction’s statutory maximum operating weight, only the highest allowable weight is printed on the cab card.

Many jurisdictions allow for the operation of vehicles over the maximum weight, but additional requirements may need to be met for overweight permits.  You must check with each jurisdiction individually for their overweight permit requirements.  Addresses and telephone numbers for all IRP jurisdictions are available on the IRP, Inc. website at irponline.org.

Vehicles qualifying at differing weights must be entered on the reverse of the Schedule C.  Failure to properly indicate weight information on Schedule C (MC 2118 I) will result in qualification at the maximum weight in each qualified IRP jurisdiction.

California will not refund foreign jurisdiction weight fees under any circumstances.

3.035 – INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE WEIGHT INCREASES

If one or more vehicles within the fleet require operation in California or any other qualified IRP jurisdiction at a weight greater than originally registered, the registrant may file for a weight increase by submitting a Schedule C with the “Vehicle Weight Increase/Decrease” box marked.

California and foreign jurisdiction fees for each affected vehicle will be assessed based on the difference between the original registered lower weight and the increased weight indicated on the Schedule C.

3.040 – INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE WEIGHT DECREASES

If one or more vehicles within the fleet require operation in California or any other IRP jurisdiction at a lesser weight than originally reported, the registrant is required to file for a weight decrease by submitting a Schedule C with the “Vehicle Weight Increase/Decrease” box marked. The cab card for each power unit requiring the weight decrease must be surrendered to the department at the time of the request.

Refunds for fees paid at the previously reported higher weight will not be issued.

3.045 – CALIFORNIA CVRA WEIGHT AND WEIGHT DECAL INFORMATION

Gross Vehicle Weight RangeWeight Decal
10,001 – 15,00015
15,001 – 20,00020
20,001 – 26,00026
26,001 – 30,00030
30,001 – 35,00035
35,001 – 40,00040
40,001 – 45,00045
45,001 – 50,00050
50,001 – 54,999*54*
55,000 – 60,00060
60,001 – 65,00065
65,001 – 70,00070
70,001 – 75,00075
75,001 – 80,00080

The weight decal will reflect the top of the weight range (in thousands) of the declared gross weight or gross combined operating weight reported to the department at the time of registration or when a weight change is reported.

*Decals showing “54” are valid for a vehicle operating up to 54,999 GVW/CGW.

3.050 – WEIGHT VARIANCE REQUIREMENT (PLAN SECTION 325)

The registered weight of a fleet vehicle shall not vary more than ten percent (10%) from the highest to the lowest weight.

Exception to the 10% variance rule requires supporting evidence (Statement of Facts), stating the actual condition that causes the maximum operating weight to vary by more than 10%.