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International Registration Plan

Effective January 1, 2019
Notice: Allowance for use of electronic Images: International Registration plan (IRP) Cab Cards and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Licenses

Effective January 1st, 2019 commercial carriers will be allowed to carry their IRP Cab Cards and IFTA licenses in electronic format. The use of electronic IRP Cab Cards and IFTA licenses have been accepted by all jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. Documentation shown in an electronic image must be accessible by computer, tablet, smart phone, or another electronic device. Carriers are responsible to create their own electronic images, as the method in which IRP/IFTA Carriers receive their credentials has not changed. If the carrier chooses to maintain an electronic format of this documentation, it is recommended that the document is saved as a file, such as a PDF, on an electronic device.

Please Note: Nova Scotia Carriers are still required to carry their original vehicle permit. Carriers can choose to carry this documentation either in electronic or paper format in their vehicles.

For more information on IRP, please contact Prorate services toll-free at – 1800-898-7668
For more information on IFTA, please contact the Provincial Tax Commission at – 902-424-2850

The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an agreement among states of the United States, the District of Columbia and provinces of Canada, to allow the free flow of commercial vehicle traffics among the jurisdictions.

The unique feature of the IRP is that, even though fleet vehicles may pay fees among the various jurisdictions where they operate (apportionable fees), the only plate and cab card required are the ones issued by the base jurisdiction.

Once registered for the IRP, a fleet vehicle may be operated in any member jurisdiction in which it is registered and its fees have been paid.

Who is required to register under the IRP?

According to the IRP, under section 204, the following vehicles must register under the International Registration Plan:

  • Any vehicle intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions that allocate or proportionally register vehicles (apportionable vehicle); and
  • if that vehicle is used for the transportation of persons for hire; or
  • it is designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and:
    1. is a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms; or
    2. is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
    3. is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms gross vehicle weight.

Optional Registration

Trucks and truck tractors, and combinations of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms or less and buses used in transportation of chartered parties may be proportionally registered at the option of the registrant.

Exempt Vehicles

Vehicles exempt from registering under the IRP include recreational vehicles, vehicles displaying restricted plates, city pickup and delivery vehicles, buses used in transportation of chartered parties, and government-owned vehicles.
For more details about the IRP and its registration requirements, please refer to the IRP website or contact the Nova Scotia IRP office.

Atlantic Carrier Manual

The Atlantic Carrier Manual explains how to obtain "apportioned" registration for Inter-jurisdictional Trucks, Tractors and other Commercial vehicles based in any Member Jurisdiction of the International Registration Plan (IRP).

The basic information needed to prepare applications is provided; however, the contents will not cover every unique situation or answer all questions that may arise

Please use this manual as a reference only.

Application Forms

Contact

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(except holidays)

Mailing Address:

IRP Section, Halifax Access Centre
300 Horseshoe Lake Drive
Halifax NS B3S 0B7

IRP Section, Dartmouth Access Centre
250 Baker Drive
Dartmouth NS B2W 6L4

IRP Section, Sydney Access Centre
380 Kings Road
Sydney NS B1S 1A8

Office Location(s):

Halifax Access Centre
300 Horseshoe Lake Drive
Bayers Lake Business Park
Halifax NS
Telephone 902-450-3933
or 902-450-3934
Fax 902-450-3971

Dartmouth Access Centre
250 Baker Drive
Russell Lake West
Dartmouth NS
Telephone 902-424-4937
or 902-424-7878
Fax 902-424-0707

Sydney Access Centre
Moxham Centre
380 Kings Road
Sydney NS
Telephone 902-563-2492
Fax 902-563-0504
or 902-563-0514