Washington IRP Manual: Registration of Commercial Trucks Operating in Multiple States

The Washington IRP manual is a fundamental resource for truck owners, transportation companies, and fleet operators who need to understand how the International Registration Plan (IRP) works in the state of Washington. This system allows certain commercial vehicles operating in more than one jurisdiction to be registered under a proportional registration or apportioned registration scheme.

In Washington, the IRP is administered by the Department of Licensing (DOL), Prorate and Fuel Tax (PRFT) Program, within Motor Carrier Services. The program allows a commercial vehicle registered in Washington to legally operate in other participating jurisdictions, while the corresponding registration fees are distributed among the states or provinces where the vehicle operates.

What is the IRP in Washington?

The International Registration Plan is an agreement between jurisdictions in the United States and Canada that facilitates the registration of commercial vehicles conducting interstate or interprovincial operations.

Instead of requiring a carrier to obtain a full registration in each state through which it travels, the IRP uses a proportional system. Washington collects the corresponding fees and distributes the applicable portion to each jurisdiction according to the registered operation. Once the IRP registration is completed, each vehicle receives a set of apportioned plates and an original cab card. IRP plates are not transferable when the vehicle is sold and must be returned to the Department of Licensing.

This makes the IRP especially important for trucking companies operating routes between Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, and other states or provinces.

Who needs to register under IRP?

The IRP is intended for certain commercial vehicles operating in more than one participating jurisdiction. The Washington DOL itself states that the IRP is an option for commercial vehicles traveling in multiple states, while fleets operating exclusively within Washington may use other state fleet registration programs.

For this reason, a company must first analyze where its vehicle operates and what type of operation it conducts before deciding which registration method applies.

One of the first steps for a Washington company is to establish its IRP account. Currently, the process is managed through License Express for prorate and fuel tax, within the DOL’s online system. To establish a new IRP account, Washington requests information such as:

• USDOT Number.
• Physical address in Washington.
• Mailing address, if different.
• Documents demonstrating the established place of business or residence.
• Fleet contact information.
• Information about the vehicles that will be registered.

The DOL specifies that the physical address used to establish the account must be in Washington. Documents demonstrating the existence of the business establishment or the corresponding residence may also be requested.

How are IRP fees calculated?

IRP fees depend, among other factors, on the jurisdictions where the vehicle operates, the registered weight, and the proportion of operation corresponding to each jurisdiction.

The Washington IRP manual explains that, for certain vehicles, the number of months remaining in the registration period is selected and the corresponding fee is determined. Then, the fee is multiplied by Washington’s apportionment percentage, which appears on the cab card, and the result is rounded to the nearest cent. A 15% transportation fee may also apply to the applicable license fee.

Therefore, the final cost of an IRP registration should not be calculated simply by taking a fixed fee. It is necessary to consider the specific characteristics of the vehicle and the operation.

Checklist for new IRP operators

Before beginning an interstate operation from Washington, it is advisable to review:

1. Have a valid USDOT number.
2. Confirm that the vehicle requires IRP registration.
3. Verify the physical address and established place of business.
4. Prepare the required documentation.
5. Create or update the account in License Express.
6. Properly register each vehicle.
7. Review the corresponding weights and jurisdictions.
8. Obtain the cab card and IRP plates.
9. Maintain proper records of miles traveled.
10. Periodically review fees and regulatory changes.

Currently, Washington uses License Express for prorate and fuel tax to manage these services online. The system replaced the former Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) in March 2025. Users who had accounts in TAP had to transition to the new system. Through License Express, carriers can perform different procedures related to their IRP accounts, including registrations, renewals, and payments.

For a transportation company, keeping the IRP properly up to date is not only an administrative matter: it is an essential part of legally operating a fleet that crosses state borders.