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International registration plan (IRP)

IRP is a method of registering fleets of vehicles that travel in two or more member jurisdictions. All states (except Alaska and Hawaii), Washington D.C., and all Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon) are members of the plan.

Motor carriers that qualify for IRP must register fleets of vehicles in their home or “base” jurisdiction. A fleet, for IRP purposes, is comprised of one or more vehicles that pay registration fees in multiple states. The base jurisdiction collects the appropriate registration fees and distributes them to the other jurisdictions in which the carrier requested IRP registration. IRP registration fees are determined by the type of operation requested (private, for-hire, or rental) and by the:

• Percentage of miles traveled in each member jurisdiction 
• Registered gross weight of each vehicle 
• Number of vehicles in the carrier’s fleet

IRP distributes the registration revenue among the member jurisdictions. Each member jurisdiction receives its proportional share of registration fees for each vehicle registered under the IRP fleet. 

Carriers are issued one registration cab card and one license plate for each vehicle in their fleet. Vehicles registered under IRP are considered registered, for vehicle registration purposes only, and does not exempt carriers from any jurisdiction's requirements including: 

• Operating authority requirements 
• Vehicle size and weight requirements 
• Motor fuel or road tax licensing and reporting 
• Insurance filing requirements 

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Registration through IRP is required for vehicles that are used for transporting persons or property, travel in two or more IRP jurisdictions (including Wisconsin), and: 

• Have a registered gross vehicle weight or actual weight in excess of 26,000 pounds (property carrying vehicle); or
• Are power units with three (3) or more axles regardless of weight, including buses; or
• Are used in combination and the actual weight of the combination exceeds 26,000 pounds

Wis. IRP Application Schedule A - form MV2914  

Wis. IRP Amendment Schedule B - form MV2912  

New Operations for Wisconsin IRP: Checklist  

New Operation Schedule B - Wisconsin IRP Application - MV2854  

Lease verification between owner/operator and lessee

IRP Registration Manual Acknowledgment - form MV2923  

Vehicles that are exempt from IRP registration include: 

• Government-owned vehicles
• Trailers and semi-trailers 
• Charter buses 
• Vehicles displaying restricted plates such as equipment, dealer or farm plates
• Recreational vehicles, such as motor homes, that are not used in connection with a business 

Instead of IFTA licensing a 72-hour trip permit can be obtained. These can be purchased from a permitting service. See trip permits.

IRP information may be obtained by contacting: 

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All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Motor Carrier Services, irp-ifta@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: December 20, 2006