Permitting for general freight

The cab card usually refers to the IRP which accompanies your base plate. It is a sheet of paper that lists all of the states in which you or the truck owner have paid to do business. When the DOT checks your paperwork they will ask for the cab card and a copy of your current IFTA account which shows that your license is current for the year. It is a good idea to check your cab card and IFTA each year to make sure that everything is in order. Your company should supply you a copy of your IFTA renewal when they give you the new IFTA stickers for the truck. You need to put it in your permit book in case it is needed by the DOT. IFTA operates on a calender year and could be different than when your IRP is renewed. Some states use a calender year while others renew during the month that your company first started buying their base plates in that state. It is a good idea to periodically check both.

 

I used to have a 3-ring binder in my truck that was about 2" thick. It had all the registrations for the different states AND provinces we had authority to run in. It also had the appropriate state credit cards and such like for Wy and NM for when you would enter there states, you'd swipe your card. Talk about a PITA. And that was simply from the 90's.

Plus the insurance information AND the different state registrations for the truck.

AND you had to make sure the IFTA stickers were correct AND the appropriate state fuel stickers on both the side of the truck AND all the plates on the front of the truck.

 

In 1980, between plates, cab cards and stickers, I had seven different things just for Kansas, not counting my baseplate.

 

As far as the paperwork for the truck, things are much simpler than 30 or 40 years ago. But, regulations keep being thrown upon us. I have a 3 ring binder that I keep in my trucks. It has all the permit information, insurance, authority, IFTA, IRP, etc., I have plastic sleeves that I put each document and organize it according to perceived importance. I also keep annual permits (oversized loads) in those binders. It keeps everything together and by putting papers in betwen the plastic sleeves it protects the documents. It also makes it easy to change when new documents are available. The binders that I use also have a plastic covering to protect them.

 

Yop, that's how every truck has been I have been in. three-ring binder with sleeves and everything in the sleeves.

 

Permit book is also a great place to stash a copy of short and long form DOT medical card cause they always ask for it and who wants to walk back to the truck right?

 

Cab Card is your registration that shows what states you are registered to run in. In a car you have a registration. Same thing you just need more information.

 

I keep my medical card in my wallet next to my CDL. I have a copy of my long form in a file folder. Since I may have a driver in my truck I don't want to keep anything personal in my permit book.