Updated 2026-11-01
After the federal registration, a new interstate carrier still has three acronyms to deal with. They are separate programs run through the states, and each one has its own deadlines.
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
UCR is an annual registration and fee paid by motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies operating in interstate commerce. The fee depends on the number of commercial vehicles in the fleet. Registration is made through the UCR system or a participating state, and it renews every year. Enforcement officers can check UCR status at roadside.
International Registration Plan (IRP)
IRP lets a carrier register a qualified vehicle in its base state and pay registration fees to every member jurisdiction based on the distance traveled in each. You receive an apportioned plate and a cab card listing the jurisdictions. A vehicle generally qualifies when it is used in two or more jurisdictions and has more than two axles or a gross or registered weight over 26,000 pounds, or is used in combination above that weight. Your base state's IRP office explains the documents and the first-year estimate of miles.
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
IFTA simplifies fuel tax reporting for qualified vehicles operating in more than one member jurisdiction. You get one license from your base state, carry decals on each truck and file quarterly returns showing miles driven and fuel bought in each jurisdiction. The base state then distributes the tax. Good mileage and fuel records, often from ELD or GPS data, are the key to accurate returns.
How they relate to insurance
Insurers may ask for your IRP and IFTA details because they show where trucks operate. Keep the base state and operating territory consistent across your insurance application, IRP registration and FMCSA record.
Order of operations
New carriers often handle these after the USDOT number is assigned and while the authority is pending. Check your base state's requirements, as some states need proof of insurance or a USDOT number before issuing apportioned plates.