What Is the California International Registration Plan?
The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an agreement among 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and all 10 Canadian provinces, which allows commercial vehicles to operate in multiple jurisdictions with one apportioned license plate and one annual registration. Instead of purchasing separate permits for every state they travel through, carriers register once in their base state and pay registration fees proportional to the miles traveled in each jurisdiction.
Under the IRP system:
- Your truck receives apportioned plates California recognizes
- You receive a California cab card listing the states where the vehicle can operate
- Fees are distributed between states based on mileage
If your truck operates across state lines and meets weight requirements, you will likely need IRP registration in California.