IRP, Trip Permits, and JJ Keller?

I've just started a new job driving the fuel truck under a Forest Service contract as part of a team fighting fires. Part of the duties requires I drive from site to site (fire to fire) over state lines.

The former driver always applied for a trip permit whenever he traveled off the site. He says that "It's the way they get their taxes." He used what I understand to be a private company to obtain the trip permits---JJ Keller who, I assume, are not associated with any governmental agency and make money filling out the paperwork.

So here's my questions:

1. If you're under 26,000 GVW, single axle...do some states still require a trip permit for some reason?

2. I don't think we're required to register with IRP (see below quote). However, if we do need to register or decide to register, does our IRP membership allow us to circumvent any need (in any state) for trip permits with this particular truck?

3. Can you register with IRP even if you're not required to do so?

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From http://www.irponline.org/?page=Questions

1. Who is required to register under the IRP?

Apportioned vehicles must be registered under IRP.


The Plan defines an apportionable vehicle as: any vehicle that is used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions and that is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and:

(i) has two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms), or

(ii) has three or more axles, regardless of weight, or

(iii) is used in combination, when the gross vehicle weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms).

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Exceptions: Recreational vehicles, vehicles displaying restricted plates, buses used in the transportation of chartered parties, or government-owned vehicles.

Optional: Trucks or truck tractors, or combinations of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds (11,793.401 kilograms), or less, and buses used in the transportation of chartered parties, may be registered under the Plan at the option of the Registrant.