Motor Carrier Services

Our goal is to keep you on the road and make it as easy as possible for you to get the correct documents, maintain your records, and comply with rules and regulations.

For many motor carriers, that means participation in two main programs:

• International Registration Plan (IRP)
• International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Getting Started With the New Entrant Program

The New Entrant Motor Carrier Safety Program helps new motor carrier operations understand complex federal and state regulations. All new interstate motor carriers are considered new entrants after registering with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), receiving a USDOT number, and they are subject to an 18-month safety-monitoring period.

You meet the definition of a Motor Carrier and must obtain a USDOT number if:

• You generate revenue through transporting your own property or others' property (for-hire), OR
• You perform a service that's part of your business or have a personal hobby that involves using a vehicle or combination of vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and operate in interstate commerce, OR more than 26,000 pounds and operate in intrastate commerce

New entrant requirements

• Safety audit within 12 months for property carriers
• Safety audit within four months for passenger motor coach carriers
• Complete application package consisting of Motor Carrier Identification Report - MCS-150 and/or MCS-150B for USDOT number registration

For-hire motor carriers must also:

• Complete an application for Motor Passenger Carrier Authority - OP-1 or OP-1(P) application
• Complete a Designation of Agents for Service of Process - BOC-3 form
• Pay $300 filing fee

Apply to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

International Registration Plan (IRP)

The International Registration Plan is an agreement among 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 10 Canadian provinces for combining vehicle registrations. IRP recognizes commercial motor vehicle registrations issued by other jurisdictions.

Benefits of IRP registration:

• Receive apportioned plates that work in all IRP member jurisdictions
• Pay registration fees to all member jurisdictions with a single payment
• Get one license plate and cab card instead of multiple plates from each jurisdiction
• No need to purchase permits at ports of entry for jurisdictions where you've paid registration fees *
• Modify and update your registration anytime to add or delete vehicles

*Note: Some jurisdictions may require additional permitting depending on the load.

Who needs IRP registration?

You're eligible if your vehicle is a power unit that:

• Is used or intended for use in two or more IRP member jurisdictions
• Is designed to transport persons for hire or maintained primarily for transporting property.
• Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
• Has three or more axles regardless of weight
• Is used in combination, when a gross vehicle weight of such exceeds 26,001 pounds

Getting started with IRP

Proof of established place of business/Arizona residency

Note: You can email forms to [email protected] or mail forms to MVD Motor Carrier Program, P.O. Box 2100, Mail Drop 527M, Phoenix, AZ 85001.

You'll need:

• USDOT number (apply to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
• Operating Authority (MC number) - must be active before submitting your application
• Registration with the Arizona Corporation Commission is required for the following Business Licenses for Arizona based or foreign entities.
  • Corporations (For-Profit, Non-Profit, Professional, Statutory Close)
  • LLC / PLLC
  • LP / LLP / LLLP
  • Business Trust
• IFTA/IRP Application 96-0236
• Evidence of your established place of business in Arizona or proof of Arizona residency
  • For established place of business, provide one of the following:

• Business license
• Commercial lease agreement (cannot be short-term lease, must include dates for length of registration)
• Real estate lease agreement (cannot be short-term lease, must include dates for length of registration)
• Utility bill showing business name and address

Note: Virtual offices are not accepted. A virtual office is not a physical space you can visit or use as a workspace.

• For Arizona Residency, Provide Arizona DL/CDL/ID and two of the following:
  • Arizona personal vehicle registration
  • Federal or state tax filings for the most recent year
  • Real estate or property tax assessment
  • Utility bill showing the service address
  • Property rental, lease, mortgage statement

• Copy of IRS form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, for each unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of 55,000 pounds or greater
• Full Reciprocity Plan (FRP) Apportioned Registration Application 70-0502
• Title and Registration Application 70-0508
• Proof of vehicle ownership, provide one of the following for each vehicle
  • Title/Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO)
  • Registration
  • Invoice (Bill of Sale)*
• Record Keeping agreement 96-0537
• IRP Lease agreement 70-0904 , if applicable
  • Equipment (if vehicle is owned by another entity or individual)
  • USDOT (if using another entity or individuals USDOT)
• Power of Attorney (POA) 96-0441 if utilizing an Agent to process an application.

* If Title/MCO is not available, a 60 day Temporary Authorization Permit (TPA) will be issued upon completion of the transaction. This permit is issued when the vehicle is new to you through private/dealer purchase or out-of-state titles. A title/MCO must be provided before the expiration of the TPA.

Additional IRP Services for Established Accounts

Once your IRP account has been established, the services listed below are available to allow changes to the account.

Service Type:

• Add Vehicle (Title and Registration Application required, and proof of ownership.)
• Delete Vehicle*
• Update Vehicle
• Close Account
• Plate Replacement*

Connected Application: FRP Apportioned Registration Changes Application

Service Type:

• Account Changes
• Mailing Address*

Connected Application: IFTA/IRP Account Changes

*The service is available on AZ MVD Now

IRP renewal

Each year you'll receive a renewal notice with a list of all vehicles currently registered in your apportioned fleet. Review the IRP Renewal Guidelines and make any needed corrections or updates, then email forms to Specialized Registration Services at [email protected] or visit an authorized third party provider.

You can renew your IRP on AZ MVD Now if:

• No changes to vehicles or account
• Estimated miles are not being used
• You have mileage in Arizona and at least 1 other jurisdiction/state.

Note: You can not renew if you declare zero miles in Arizona or declare miles in Arizona only. Please contact Specialized Registration Services at [email protected].

Before renewing:

• Submit all IFTA tax reports
• Satisfy any outstanding debt owed to MVD

Note: Trailers and semitrailers don't require apportioned registration but do require current registration from any state to operate on Arizona highways. If you choose to register in Arizona, visit any MVD or third party office to register your trailer permanently.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

IFTA is the International Fuel Tax Agreement. The 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces are IFTA members that work together to administer and collect motor fuel use taxes.

Benefits of IFTA:

• Reduces paperwork for interstate motor carriers
• Standardizes motor fuel tax reporting
• Allows travel in all IFTA jurisdictions without purchasing fuel tax permits at ports of entry

Who needs IFTA?

IFTA applies to motor vehicles that:

• Are used in interstate commerce
• Have a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 26,000 pounds
• Have three or more axles regardless of weight

Getting Started with IFTA

You'll need:

• USDOT number (apply to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
• Operating Authority (MC number) - must be active before submitting your application
• Registration with the Arizona Corporation Commission is required for the following Business Licenses for Arizona-based or foreign entities.
  • Corporations (For-Profit, Non-Profit, Professional, Statutory Close)
  • LLC / PLLC
  • LP / LLP / LLLP
  • Business Trust
• IFTA/IRP Application 96-0236
• Evidence of your established place of business in Arizona or proof of Arizona residency
  • For established place of business, provide one of the following:

• Business license
• Commercial lease agreement (cannot be short-term lease, must include dates for length of registration)
• Real estate lease agreement (cannot be short-term lease, must include dates for length of registration)
• Utility bill showing business name and address

Note: Virtual offices are not accepted. A virtual office is not a physical space you can visit or use as a workspace.

• For Arizona Residency, provide three of the following:
  • Arizona Driver License
  • Arizona personal vehicle registration
  • Federal or state tax filings for the most recent year
  • Real estate or property tax assessment
  • Utility bill showing the service address
  • Property rental, lease, or mortgage statement

• Copy of Active Vehicle Registration or Cab Card
• Record Keeping agreement 96-0537
• IFTA Lease agreement 70-0901 if applicable
• A bond in the amount of $3250.00 may be required depending on a carrier’s standing or if they have never had an IFTA license in any member jurisdiction.
  • Surety Bond 96-0224 or
  • Cash Bond 96-0460 (required payment type: cash, certified/cashiers check or bank/postal money order)
• Power of Attorney (POA) 96-0441 if utilizing an Agent to process an application.

You'll receive:

• One Arizona IFTA license
• Two decals for each qualified motor vehicle
• License and decals valid for the calendar year (January-December)

Additional IFTA Services for Established Accounts

Once your IFTA account has been established the services listed below are available to allow changes to the account.

Service Type:

• Add Decal
• Replace Decal
• Update Fuel Type
• Close Account
• Account Changes
• Change of Address (If you are changing your physical address, refer to proof of Established Place of Business or Arizona Residency for requirements.)

Connected Applications: IFTA/IRP Account Changes and IFTA Lease agreement

Service Type:

• Renew IFTA License (Available on AZ MVD Now)

Connected Applications: IFTA Renewal Application and Record Keeping agreement

*If you are changing your physical address please refer to proof of Established Place of Business or Arizona Residency for requirements.

Your responsibilities:

• File an IFTA tax report for each calendar quarter
• Pay any taxes due
• Display valid IFTA credentials or purchase fuel tax permits when traveling in IFTA jurisdictions

Important: If you travel in an IFTA jurisdiction without valid IFTA credentials or a fuel tax permit, you'll be subject to penalties, fines, or citations depending on individual state laws. Entering Arizona without valid Arizona fuel tax permits or IFTA credentials is a class 2 misdemeanor.

Interstate Registration

Interstate Registration (Nonresident Registration) is issued to owners/operators of commercially operated motor vehicles registered in another state or country who are conducting interstate operations and don't qualify or don't want to register under IRP.

To be eligible for an Interstate Registration:

• You cannot be an Arizona resident.
• The Owner/Operator is planning interstate operations.
• You must have appropriate/valid operating authority through Federal Motor Carrier Regulations (FMCSA).
• You must have a commercial motor vehicle with current out-of-state or out-of-country registration.

Getting Started

You’ll Need

• Interstate Registration Application 46-0501
• Reduced Motor Carrier Fee Certificate 96-0141 (for qualifying vehicles that meet the selected operational criteria)
• Proof of ownership or authority to operate the motor vehicle by any of the following:
  • Certificate of Title in owner’s name
  • Current out-of-state or out-of-country registration
  • Copy of lease agreement, if the vehicle is a lease purchase arrangement
  • Notarized bill of sale, if the vehicle is from a non-title issuing jurisdiction
• Proof of Federal annual inspection of the commercial vehicle to be registered in accordance with FMCSA regulations
• Level 1 vehicle inspection (First time applicants only)
• Proof of financial responsibility (issued by an insurer authorized to do business in Arizona)

A Mexico-based owner/operator of an interstate registered vehicle cannot travel beyond the commercial zone perimeters established by federal regulation. Travel is allowed for these vehicles to and from United States-Mexico ports of entry and a specific distance past the locations listed below.

Additional Interstate Registration Services

Once your Interstate Registration has been established the services listed below are available to allow updates to your registration.

Service Type:

• Renew Interstate Registration
• Replace Plate
• Update Registration
  (weight change)
• Duplicate Registration

Connected Application: Interstate Registration Application 96-0141

Renewing your Interstate Registration

You’ll Need:

• Interstate registration application
• Proof of federal annual inspection of the commercial vehicle to be registered in accordance with FMCSA regulations
• Current out-of-state or out-of-country registration
• Reduced Motor Carrier Fee Certificate, form #96-0141(for qualifying vehicles that meet the selected operational criteria)

Contact Specialized Registration Services

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 602.712.6775

Mail:

MVD
Specialized Registration Services
P.O. Box 2100
Mail Drop 527M
Phoenix, AZ 85001

Other Services

IFTA Use Fuel Tax Reporting

Reporting Requirements

• An IFTA licensee must file an IFTA Use Fuel Tax Report Quarterly.
  • For a faster and easier IFTA Quarter tax filing, please submit your reports online using AZ MVD Now.
  • If you are not able to file online, you may complete the IFTA Use Fuel Tax Report and mail it to the Fuel Tax Reporting Unit (address below) with any required payment.

Contact IFTA Fuel Tax Reporting Unit

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 602.712.8473

Mail:

IFTA Fuel Tax Reporting
PO Box 2100
Mail Drop 519M
Phoenix, AZ 85001

Single-Trip Permits

If you're a foreign-based interstate carrier entering Arizona without proper credentials, you must purchase appropriate permits for lawful travel. These permits expire after 96 hours (four days) or upon exiting the state, whichever occurs first.

Permit types

• Motor Carrier Permit: For commercial vehicles with gross vehicle weight rating of 12,000 pounds or greater
• Use Fuel Permit: For diesel-powered vehicles that are road tractors, truck tractors, trucks, or passenger-carrying vehicles with gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds and more than two axles

Contact Commercial Vehicle Permits

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 602-771-2960

Related Services

• Commercial Vehicle Permits
• Commercial Vehicle Inspections
• Commercial Driver License