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IRP Cab Cards, Plates & 2290 for Heavy Trucks—Complete 2025 Guide

Compliance management for heavy commercial vehicles entails understanding a slew of regulations involving IRP cab cards, apportioned plates, and IRS Form 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT). For interstate trucking companies and owner-operators, a constant awareness of the 2025 trucking compliance laws is essential to avoid penalties, registration delays, and costly downtime. This guide simplifies all essential details regarding IRP Cab Cards.

What is IRP? An explanation of the International Registration Plan

The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an agreement among the U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and District of Columbia allowing commercial motor carriers to operate across borders under one apportioned registration instead of registering separately in each state and paying license fees only according to the mileage run in all the jurisdictions.

Meaning of IRP Cab Card: The IRP cab card is the official registration document issued after successful IRP approval. This card lists all jurisdictions the vehicle is allowed to travel in and has to be kept inside the truck at all times.

What Are Apportioned Plates and Why Do Truckers Need Them?

Apportioned plates, also called IRP plates, are special license plates required for commercial vehicles weighing over 26,000 lbs. or having three or more axles that operate interstate. These plates demonstrate that mileage fees are paid and allow legal travel across state and provincial borders without paying additional trip permits.

Key Bounties of Apportioned Plates

  • Legal interstate travel without additional permits
  • Simplified fleet management and renewals
  • Reduced paperwork for multi-state mileage reporting
  • Avoidance of highway enforcement fines and DOT audits

Form 2290 HVUT 2025 Filing Requirements

IRS Form 2290 is the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) for every vehicle with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs. and above using public highways, filed annually. The law requires that the current filing seasons encompass July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. After filing, truck owners receive a 2290 Schedule 1, which is needed for the registration or renewal of IRP cab cards and apportioned plates.

Who Must File Form 2290?

  • Owner-operators
  • Fleet owners and trucking companies
  • Agricultural vehicle operators
  • Leased and independent truck drivers

When is Form 2290 due for 2025?

Unless acquired later in the tax period, Form 2290 is due on August 31, 2025.

How IRP, Apportioned Plates, & 2290 Work Together

These three compliance essentials are very much interlinked. Without proof of HVUT payment, the states cannot issue IRP cab cards or apportioned plates. The necessary steps are for the truckers to:

  • Complete electronic filing of Form 2290 and obtain Schedule 1
  • Send Schedule 1 to the state IRP office
  • Get the IRP cab card & plate registration

This ensures legal interstate movement and prevents weigh-station holds and compliance fines.

Stay Compliant and Avoid Penalties in 2025

IRP cab cards, apportioned plates, and Form 2290 filings are critical for legal interstate trucking operations. Timely completion of this paperwork ensures operational continuity, on-road vehicle availability, and prevents avoidable registration delays. Automated filing services and digital compliance systems can streamline renewals and maintain accurate tracking of regulatory deadlines.

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