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Owning a commercial trucking company in the United States requires getting several different permits. There are some permits that the federal government requires. Some states require their own special trucking permits. 

Basic Trip Permit Requirements

All truckers who cross state lines are required to get a Department of Transportation number. These numbers are issued by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration which is the agency within the DOT that regulates truck safety. Even if you do not cross state lines, you should know that most states will require you to get a USDOT number anyway. 

In addition to getting a DOT number, you will also have to get a truck license number from the state in which your business is based. You will have to display your USDOT number and your state number on your truck. 

International Registration Plan Permit

The IRP lets commercial trucking companies register their vehicles with just one registration plate. Trucking companies get this registration plate from an office in their home state.

You should get an IRP registration plate if you do business in more than one state. The plate will end up saving you both time and money. 

A trucking company must pay fees to every jurisdiction through which it travels. When you are registered in the IRP, a percentage of the fee you pay to the IRP office will be allocated to each state through which your drivers travel. If your truck spends 75% of its time in Texas and the rest of its time in Georgia, 75% of the money you paid for your registration fee will go to the state of Texas and 25% will go to the state of Georgia. 

International Fuel Tax Agreement 

Interstate truckers are required to participate in the International Fuel Tax Agreement. The IFTA Is an agreement between the lower 48 states and Canada that creates a system for paying fuel taxes. Before the IFTA was implemented, trucking companies used to have to get a tax permit from each individual state. They would then have to pay taxes to each individual state. 

The IFTA allows trucking companies to obtain one permit to buy fuel and pay taxes in all 50 states. A trucking company will register itself with an IFTA office in their state. They will then file a return with that office and pay taxes or receive returns through that office. The office doles the money out to each individual state.

States That Require Additional Permits

There are some states that require trucking companies to pay additional taxes and have additional permits. It is important to know what these states are. If you do not get the required permits, the state may fine you.

New Mexico Weight Distance Tax

The Land of Enchantment may be a beautiful place to drive through but it can also be expensive. If you drive a truck that weighs over 26,000 pounds through the state, you must pay a weight distance tax. You will pay $59 for your first truck and $39 for each additional truck.

Oregon

Oregon is a state that takes the environment seriously.  It is very mindful of its roads in the pollution that trucks cause. You will pay a lot of money for the privilege of driving through The Beaver State. Even recreational vehicles need trip permits in the state of Oregon. Although Oregon participates in the IFTA, they still have an additional fuel tax that you must pay if you want to drive there. 

Oregon requires that all companies operating vehicles of over 8,000 pounds have a Heavy Motor Vehicle and Trailer Permit. That permit will have a weight limit on it. The state requires you to get a Registration Weight Trip Permit if your vehicle exceeds that weight limit. If you are pulling an extra heavy trailer, you must get this type of permit.

New York Highway Use Tax

I’m driving a truck through New York requires that you get a certificate of registration decal.

You must have a  HUT certificate for each vehicle with a gross weight of over 18,000 pounds. If your truck transports fuel, you must get an automotive fuel carrier certificate of registration.

Getting all the permits you will need can be very time-consuming. It is best to hire a professional compliance company to acquire this permit for you. When you have all the permits you need, you can concentrate on the open road and getting your products where they’re going on time.