Motor Carriers

What is IRP?

IRP, also known as the International Registration Plan, is a registration agreement between the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and ten Canadian provinces.

In accordance with the IRP, an interstate carrier is only required to submit an application with the jurisdiction in which it’s based. The base jurisdiction issues the IRP apportioned license plate and IRP cab card. Since the IRP cab card will list all jurisdictions in which you have paid registration fees, it is the only vehicle registration required to operate interstate or intrastate in IRP jurisdictions. However, all other requirements pertaining to fuel, or any other tax must be in compliance before you enter each state.

In some circumstances, a carrier may operate under another motor carrier authority and USDOT number. An Operational Lease (SCDMV Form IRP-9). must be completed by both parties and submitted to Motor Carrier Services at the time of the IRP Renewal or if you change the company that you are leasing under.

Cab Card

Your IRP cab card will show all IRP states and Canadian provinces. Your IRP fees are calculated based on your June-July "reporting period" distances.

If you are a new carrier without a reporting period history, you will pay fees based on the average per-vehicle distance.

You are able to operate in any IRP jurisdiction without adding a jurisdiction or buying a trip permit. For each IRP renewal, fees are charged based on the fleet’s "reporting period" distance.

Enforcement

Credentials for the registration year should be on your vehicle no later than midnight of the last day of your expiration month. License plates must be mounted on the front of the power unit and the back of trailers and semi-trailers. The original cab card must be available for inspection by appropriate enforcement personnel; copies are not acceptable.

What is IFTA?

IFTA, also known as the International Fuel Tax Agreement, provides a uniform administration of motor fuel tax collection and laws on apportioned vehicles that travel in one or more of the member jurisdictions.

Account Identification

The IFTA account identification number for companies and corporations is determined by using the prefix for South Carolina, which is SC, followed by the IFTA account number and a two-digit suffix of "01" to identify the fleet. Companies using the same IFTA account number for more than one fleet will increase the suffix one number for each fleet.

Bonding

The SCDMV may require an IFTA licensee to post a bond when a licensee has failed to file timely reports, when tax has not been remitted, or when an audit indicates problems severe enough that, in the department’s discretion, a bond is required to protect the interest of all member jurisdictions.