Trip Permit

Definition

A trip permit is a short-duration authorization that lets a commercial vehicle operate in a state where the carrier does not hold IFTA, IRP, or single-state operating credentials. Issued under each state's own statute (commonly modeled on the IRP Plan), trip permits typically run 72 to 120 hours and cost $20 to $40 per state. Carriers use trip permits to handle a single irregular load through a non-base jurisdiction without adding the state to their full IRP/IFTA registration. Most state DMVs issue trip permits through wire services or web portals before the trip begins. Running without IFTA credentials or a trip permit can mean buying a trip permit on the spot, a citation, or both (IFTA Articles of Agreement R660); consequences for missing IRP registration depend on the jurisdiction.