Every year, carriers with apportioned plates go through the same scramble: gather the mileage, find the 2290, check the fleet list, submit, pay — and then get the new cab cards into every truck before the old ones expire. Miss a step and trucks can end up parked.
This guide explains how IRP renewal works, what you’ll need, how fees are calculated, and what to do once the renewal is approved. Rules, forms, fees, and deadlines vary by base jurisdiction, so always follow the renewal notice from your state or province.
What Is IRP Renewal?
The International Registration Plan (IRP) lets carriers register a truck once in their base jurisdiction and pay apportioned registration fees to every U.S. state and Canadian province they operate in. Apportioned registration generally applies to power units used in two or more jurisdictions that weigh more than 26,000 lbs, have three or more axles, or are used in a combination over 26,000 lbs.
IRP registration is renewed every year. At renewal, you report the distance each vehicle traveled in each jurisdiction, and your base jurisdiction uses it to calculate the fees you owe everywhere you run.
When to Renew
Your registration year and renewal deadline are set by your base jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions send a renewal notice ahead of expiration. Don’t wait for the deadline: gathering distance records and documents takes time, and late renewals can mean trucks can’t legally run in apportioned jurisdictions.
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IRP Renewal Documents You’ll Need
- Distance by jurisdiction for each vehicle for the reporting period — under the IRP, the 12 months from July 1 to June 30 before the registration year begins
- HVUT Form 2290 Schedule 1 (stamped proof of payment) for vehicles weighing 55,000 lbs or more
- Vehicle details: unit number, VIN, year, make, declared weight, and number of axles
- Your USDOT number for the carrier responsible for safety — registration can be denied if that carrier is under a federal out-of-service order
- Title or lease documents for new units or ownership changes
- Proof of insurance, if your base jurisdiction requires it
- The renewal application or online forms from your base jurisdiction
Tip: compare your IRP distance totals with your IFTA mileage records for the same period. Mismatches are a common audit flag.
How IRP Renewal Fees Are Calculated
There’s no single IRP renewal cost. Your fees depend on where you drove and how heavy your trucks are. Each jurisdiction’s share is based on the percentage of your fleet’s total distance traveled there, applied to that jurisdiction’s registration fee for the vehicle’s declared weight. Your base jurisdiction calculates the total and collects it on behalf of all the others.
That’s why declaring the correct weight and reporting accurate distance matter: both change what you pay.
How to Renew IRP Online
Most base jurisdictions let you renew through their online IRP system. The steps are generally the same:
- Log in to your base jurisdiction’s IRP portal with your account or renewal PIN
- Update your fleet: renew, add, or remove units and confirm declared weights
- Enter distance traveled in each jurisdiction
- Upload required documents, like your 2290 Schedule 1
- Review the calculated fees and pay
- Download or receive your new cab cards
To find your jurisdiction’s IRP office and online system, start with the official International Registration Plan website.
Missed the Deadline? Extensions and Temporary Options
Some jurisdictions offer renewal extensions or grace periods, and many offer temporary trip permits so a truck can run legally while registration is sorted out. These options, and their costs, vary widely by jurisdiction. If you’re running late, contact your base jurisdiction’s IRP office before your registration expires.
After Renewal: New Cab Cards in Every Truck
Approval isn’t the finish line. Every truck needs its new cab card before the old registration expires — and in a large fleet, getting the right cab card into the right cab is where things slip. Electronic cab cards have been accepted in all IRP jurisdictions since January 1, 2019, which makes this much easier.
With Digital Permit Book, you upload the renewed cab cards once and they go to every assigned driver instantly — no printing, no mailing, no terminal trips. Drivers show them at the roadside with One-Tap Inspection, and you get alerts 30, 15, and 7 days before next year’s expiration, so the next renewal never sneaks up on you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does IRP renewal cost?
It depends on your fleet. Fees are based on the distance each vehicle traveled in each jurisdiction and the registration fee for its declared weight there, so costs vary widely between carriers.
What documents do I need to renew IRP?
Typically your distance records by jurisdiction for the reporting period, HVUT Form 2290 Schedule 1 for vehicles 55,000 lbs or more, vehicle details, your USDOT number, and any title, lease, or insurance documents your base jurisdiction requires.
Can I renew IRP registration online?
Most base jurisdictions offer online IRP renewal. Check your state or province’s IRP office for its online system and renewal instructions.
Can I get an extension on IRP renewal?
Some jurisdictions offer extensions or grace periods, and temporary trip permits are often available. Contact your base jurisdiction before your registration expires.
Can IRP cab cards be electronic?
Yes. All IRP jurisdictions have accepted electronic cab cards since January 1, 2019.
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