IRP stands for the International Registration Plan. The Plan is a method of registering fleets of vehicles that travel in two or more member jurisdictions. Fees are calculated according to the miles that you travel in each jurisdiction and other variables. All fees are paid to your base jurisdiction which then distributes them to the other appropriate jurisdictions.
Generally, we cannot tell you what your IRP license plate (registration) fees will be until we process your application and generate an invoice. The fee calculation for each jurisdiction varies based on the laws of that jurisdiction. The fee calculation for your vehicle may be based on gross weight, mileage, vehicle year model, vehicle make, purchase price, your type of operation or other factors, depending on which jurisdictions you traveled. Our system will calculate the full vehicle registration fee for each jurisdiction and will then determine the appropriate percentage of that fee to charge based on the percentage of miles traveled in that jurisdiction.
You will be required to get IRP plates or a temporary trip permit for the other jurisdictions if you are doing intrastate movement within another jurisdiction regardless of the weight of your vehicle. Intrastate movement means operation point to point within a jurisdiction.
Submit the online electronic application for both International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and/or IRP new accounts on VIIM System or complete the Virginia International Registration Plan (IRP) New Account Application (IRP-1A) to create a new IRP account. Supplemental transactions may be submitted online in VIIM System or complete the IRP Supplemental Application (IRP 1B).
Yes, you must have an established place of business in Virginia to qualify for IRP registration in Virginia. A physical street address is required rather than a PO box.
Yes, your vehicle has to be titled in Virginia to get IRP plates in Virginia. If you do not want to give up your title in another jurisdiction, you may title your vehicle for registration purposes only. We will issue a title number and hold the title.
A base jurisdiction is where the registrant has an established place of business, where mileage is accrued by the fleet and where operational records of that fleet are maintained or can be made available. The established place of business should be a physical structure owned, leased or rented by the fleet registrant and should be designated by a street number or road.
No. Multi-use plates on an IRP qualified vehicle are not acceptable and may result in a ticket for improper registration.
No, IRP plates are issued for a 12-month period expiring at the end of the month based on the date you apply. For example, if you submit your application on 9/1/25 your license plates will expire 8/31/25.
No. Virginia does not issue temporary IRP license plates.
You must also register for IFTA and file tax returns on a quarterly or annual basis if the vehicles are within your fleet if:
- have two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds or
- have three or more axles regardless of weight or
- are used in combination, when the combined weight is more than 26,000 pounds gross or registered gross vehicle weight at any time.
- For more information refer to IFTA requirements and exemptions.
No; All credentials are mailed from DMV Headquarters. IRP applications are processed at HQ unless you have access to Virginia's online solution for IFTA and IRP, VIIM System. Some transactions allow for cab card preview and print from your place of business.