The IRP framework
The International Registration Plan (IRP) is administered by IRP, Inc. under reciprocal agreements between US states and Canadian provinces. A qualified motor vehicle (over 26,000 lbs gross weight, or 3+ axles regardless of weight) crossing jurisdictions for hire registers with one base state, and that base state collects fees and redistributes them to the other member jurisdictions in proportion to actual mileage.
Base-state apportioned-plate fees vary widely. California typically runs the highest combined registration cost; Texas tends to run mid-range; Florida and Tennessee historically run lower-cost.
What changed for 2026
California raised IRP base-state registration fees roughly 3% effective January 1, 2026 alongside its standard biennial CPI adjustment under California Vehicle Code §9404.5. The increase mostly affects vehicles with 80,000+ lb declared weight.
Texas held IRP fees at 2025 levels per Texas DMV announcement. Florida added a new "IRP Compliance Surcharge" (~$15 per truck) effective March 1, 2026 to fund FLHSMV's new IRP audit unit.
How to plan for renewal
IRP renewal cycles run annually based on the base state's registration year. Most states use a fiscal-year cycle (July or August renewals); some use calendar-year. IRP credentials require an active IFTA license, current MCS-150, current UCR, and a stamped IRS Form 2290 Schedule 1.
Owner-operators registering a single truck typically pay $1,500–$3,500 in IRP fees annually before HVUT and IFTA. Multi-truck fleets see proportional fee increases driven by the apportionment percentages reported on Schedule B mileage summaries.