International Registration Plan (IRP)

What is it?

The IRP is an agreement among 48 states, 10 Canadian Provinces and the District of Columbia whereby a motor carrier can register commercial vehicle fleets for travel in all IRP jurisdictions by filing the paperwork with the home (base) jurisdiction.

Where can you obtain an application and/or an instruction manual?

IRP applications are available at any of the Deputy Registrar Offices or at any of the five (5) IRP Offices (Cambridge, Canton, Columbus, Findlay, and Monroe) throughout Ohio.  IRP applications and instruction manuals are also available by calling the Columbus IRP Office at 1-800-477-0007 or 1-614-777-8400.

Where are the applications processed?

Ohio applications are processed at the IRP Processing Center in Columbus and at the four (4) IRP branch offices located in Cambridge, Canton, Findlay, and Monroe.  The majority of IRP transactions are processed by mail. It is the responsibility of the applicant to properly complete all forms necessary to register vehicles in the IRP.

Where is the IRP processing center located?

Lobby hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Directions to IRP center

Exit off State Route 270 onto Roberts Road. The IRP Center is west of the freeway. Turn left on Roberts Road onto Westbelt Drive. Go over railroad tracks, then turn left onto Diplomacy Drive (1^st Street). Turn right on Dividend Drive (1^st Street). The center is on the left hand side of the road.

IRP branch offices

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has opened four (4) IRP branch offices in Cambridge, Canton, Findlay, and Monroe.  These offices offer a wide range of IRP services on a walk-in basis.  Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

After I submit my completed IRP application, will I receive an invoice that must be submitted with proper payment?  Can I pay my invoice in person?

Yes, you will receive an invoice and you are encouraged to mail your invoice to the IRP processing Center in Columbus  (P.O. Box 18320, Columbus, Ohio 43218-0320).  You may also pay for your invoice at one of the IRP branch offices.

What is considered an established place of business?

IRP defines "base jurisdiction" as the jurisdiction where the registrant has an established place of business, where mileage is accrued by the fleet and operational records of such fleet are maintained or can be made available. IRP defines an "established place of business" as:

1. A physical structure owned, leased or rented by the fleet registrant.

2. The physical structure shall be designated by the street number or road location, be open during normal business hours, and have located within it:

a telephone or telephones publicly listed in the name of the fleet registrant, a person or persons conducting the fleet registrant's business, and the operational records of the fleet.

What are the IRP qualifications?

Registration under the IRP is not mandatory. It is a program for licensing commercial trucks, trailers and buses traveling in Ohio and at least one additional IRP jurisdiction, if the commercial vehicle is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and:

1. is a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds; or

2. is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or

3. is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

When Are the Renewal Dates for IRP Plates?

During the 2004 registration year, IRP registrations went to a staggered registration program.  Each IRP vehicle expires on the last day of a specified month according to the company's Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number.  At least one vehicle must be registered in the company's Primary month.  The other vehicles owned by that company may then register their vehicles in the Secondary month and so on.  Tax Identification Numbers or Social Security Numbers determine which months a company may choose to register their vehicles in, as described by the chart below:

What supporting documents are necessary for registration?

1. Title - Titles are required when:

• Registering a vehicle for the first time in the registrant's name;

• Registering a vehicle that has not been registered in Ohio for one year or more;

• Changing or correcting the owner name or VIN on the cab card;

• Vehicles titled in Ohio must submit the original or memorandum title;

• Vehicles not titled in Ohio must submit the original title or a photocopy of the title certified by a notary as a true copy of the original.

2. Power of Attorney

• Required for any vehicle registered by someone other than the owner. A recently dated Power of Attorney form is required annually for each vehicle contained on the application.

3. Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (IRS FORM 2290)

• Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (FHVUT) is assessed on vehicles with a registered gross weight or combined gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more and paid directly to the IRS each year. The following proof of payment or exemption must be submitted before registering qualified vehicles;

• A copy of Federal Form 2290-Schedule 1 stamped paid or received by the IRS. The VINs on the Schedule 1 must match the VINs listed on the application;

• A copy of Form 2290-Schedule 1 as submitted to the IRS, and both sides of the canceled check used to pay the tax showing validation by the IRS;

• Do not send original Form 2290;

• Payment of the FHVUT at the IRP Processing center is only a service provided by the IRS as a convenience to Ohio carriers. It does not expedite the processing of a carrier's IRP renewal nor circumvent the current IRP renewal processing procedures.

• When applying for registration or renewal, all IRP registrants must provide an updated MCS150 form from within the past 12 months;

• The MCS150 shows proof of an updated USDOT number;

• No registrations or renewals will be issued without the updated MCS150;

• An IRP registrant may apply to update an MCS150 at: http://usdotnumberregistration.com/.

How can I apply for a temporary registration?

A Temporary Application (TA) is a 45 day permit issued by the IRP Processing Center to acquire immediate operating authority and authorization to modify a current IRP account. There is a $2.00 fee for a TA. A customer must have an IRP account in good standing to obtain a TA.

What is a Trip Permit?

A Trip Permit is a temporary permit issued in lieu of IRP credentials for vehicles properly registered in a base jurisdiction, but has not been apportioned for the jurisdiction in which immediate travel is desired. (IRP Article IV, Section 908) Carriers who have vehicles not IRP registered with a jurisdiction that they wish to travel through, should secure a Trip Permit prior to entering that jurisdiction. Ohio Trip Permits are valid for 72 hours and cost $15.00. Trip Permits are only available through the following companies authorized to sell Ohio single trip fuel permits.