semi truck registration/2 state opperation

But did you have TWO TAGS simultaneously? You cross jurisdictions to get FROM IL to TX - unless you're bob-tailing - you're in INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

Interestingly - as I mentioned previously - even if you're relaying a load/trailer that's going out of your jurisdiction - if the load is LEAVING your jurisdiction, it's still considered INTERSTATE COMMERCE. Same thing, if you were driving a BUSLOAD OF PASSENGERS that was leaving the state, on THAT BUS, even if you weren't leaving the state DRIVING IT - still INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

Now, if the OP is fracking out of MT, but his load is never LEAVING MT (despite the fact the he LIVES in ND) - he might be better off just registering the truck in MT and getting a "straight tag". Truck stays in MT, loads stay in MT - no IRP, no IFTA.

Unfortunately - at least here in Florida - the COST OF registering for a straight plate and an IRP plate is essentially the same (by GVW) - it's just on an IRP, the registration fees are "apportioned" amongst the states you are declaring. States publish their plate/reg fees, so IRP knows how to apportion by percentages. Part of the IRP agreement, provides that each state can set their own reg fee - and that's what get's divvy'd up (which is why, aside from the "ripoff factor", certain states require ADDITIONAL permits, filings, etc. - because they're not getting their "fair share" under the IRP agreement - or at least they think they aren't).

So getting TWO straight tags, will likely cost 2X as much, as one IRP tag with only 2 states - since you have to pay the registration fees in BOTH STATES.

The IFTA is really almost a non-issue, as far as operating costs. Within one filing, the OP will know how to "balance the equation" (the fuel purchased vs miles run side) so it's a "wash", and will only have to take the time to keep proper records, and file quarterly.

So even if he's hauling loads where the origin/destination is in the same state - if the TRUCK crosses state lines - he's still going to need an IRP and IFTA reg.

I have friends that haul produce IN FLORIDA ONLY. They have Florida "straight tags" - NO MC (but a DOT number), still have the insurance requirements, no IFTA filing requirements, and are declared INTRASTATE NON-EXEMPT for their CDL's - which requires a DOT med card, and they load/unload IN FLORIDA - regardless of whether what they're carrying will go onto another truck and LEAVE Florida.

The BASE COST of the Florida Straight Tag is the same as an IRP Tag. But these guys CANNOT OPERATE in Ga/Al/etc. - unless they get a TRIP PERMIT - but at that point, they will need an MC - because they are engaged in INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

Again - if we're talking about COST - and the difference of a couple of hundred on a tag is the make/break of the whole situation - then the bigger issue is NOT THE PLATE. And registering an IRP tag is cheaper than registering 2 straight tags, in 2 different states.

I hope I've confused you, as much as I've confused MYSELF - LOL...

Rick

edit:
And BBB's comment regarding "forest/tree's" is very "on point". Nice to discuss and dissect the difference in tags/registration fee's, etc. - but for the purpose of answering the OP's original question, we've digressed pretty deeply. And my original supposition stands - if a few hundred in fee's is the difference between "doing the deal" and not - then the deal likely shouldn't be done in the first place.

 

Are you running your own MC, or leasing on to another carrier?

Without confusing the issue any further - the core issues are what I elaborated in my last post.

If you're operating in multiple states - get an IRP tag and IFTA sticker. The cost of registering more than two states is probably negligible - and aside from the stupid Oregon stuff (can you say TRIP PERMIT? I KNEW you could), even getting a cab card in your REGION probably makes sense (like MT, MN, ND, SD, WY, ID, NE, IA - you get the drift).

Some single state INTRASTATE registrations don't require an FMSCA MC - so the paperwork requirements go down - but if you're operating in multiple jurisdictions - you're going to need one or be leased onto someone that HAS ONE.

Under the principal of K.I.S.S. - it's easier to do it RIGHT FIRST TIME - than to clean up the mess of NOT DOING IT RIGHT.

Rick

 

IFTA is not a big deal and you have no way around it.

Having or not having your MC does not change what you have to do regarding DOT regulations.

And never confuse what people ARE doing with what is legal to do or smart to do. We are all just giving thoughts on this. Get with a pro on what needs to be done. I doubt you are looking at much difference in costs.

Enjoy the ride. You have just stepped in to the big boy world of trucking.

 

your dba can be anything you want it to be. to do mine I went to the county courthouse and filled out a form and $5, then I had to go to the county newspaper and pay $65 and they ran a little notice for three weeks. But that's IL, so hard telling if ND is the same. I did find some reference to "dual registration" on the MT website but it didn't elaborate much other than it is possible to be registered in two states without an IRP plate. Rick says it's negligible, but I'm not so sure. I think the plates on a 9 year old truck are $100 or less in MT or ND. so if you get both tags for $200 that's decent savings over IRP and not even too sure you have to renew every year. If you can find someone at MT and/or ND DMV who knows what they're talking about let us know. I'm real curious about this now.

 

What is a troll?

 

DBA regs vary from state to state. Florida no longer requires "public notice" in the paper. Believe it's like $40 for 5 years, filed with the Florida Dept. of state. Since I already have a Sub-S Corp, a FEIN, etc. - I'll be doing a DBA under my corp, opening up 2 new bank accounts (operating & maintenance) using the DBA (to keep my consulting & trucking books separate) and just send them to my accountant to sort out at years end.

Now, back to the registration - I might move to MT soon myself (raise me a crop of dental floss - name the musician).

Single state reg fees are pretty cheap: https://doj.mt.gov/driving/vehicle-title-and-registration/#commercial - if the info here is to be believed.

Oh - but WAIT - there's Gross Vehicle Weight Fee's: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/business/mcs/docs/mcs_100_fees.pdf

add the two TOGETHER, and you come out with an amount, pretty much equal to an IRP tag.

More info on the ENTIRE MT Trucking thing, in MT's TRUCKERS HANDBOOK: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/publications/docs/manuals/truckers_handbook.pdf

Rick

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

Rick