The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a base state fuel tax arrangement. Any person operating a qualified motor vehicle in two or more member jurisdictions must either license under IFTA or purchase fuel trip permits for travel in those jurisdictions.
A Qualified Motor Vehicle is defined as a vehicle used, designed, or maintained for transporting people or property, and:
– Having two axles with a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds (11,797 kilograms), or
– Having three or more axles regardless of weight, or
– Used in combination with a total weight exceeding 26,000 pounds (11,797 kilograms) gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight.
Qualified vehicles do not include recreational vehicles. Farm vehicles, special mobile equipment, and buses are subject to IFTA licensing requirements if they meet the weight or axle criteria and cross state lines.
Any motor carrier operating one or more qualified vehicles in at least one other IFTA member jurisdiction besides their base state must apply for IFTA credentials. Alternatively, fuel trip permits must be obtained for travel through member jurisdictions as per their regulations.
If a qualified motor vehicle is not participating in IFTA, a temporary fuel trip permit must be purchased to travel outside of its base state. At Permits King, we provide comprehensive fuel permit services to ensure your compliance with these requirements.
Who Needs a Fuel Permit?
If you’re operating a large commercial vehicle without IFTA registration, you’ll likely need a fuel permit for each state or province you travel through.
Typically, you may need a fuel permit if:
- Your vehicle or trailer is not IFTA-registered.
- Your power unit has 2 axles and a GVW of over 26,000 lb
- Your power unit has 3 or more axles regardless of weight
- Your tow vehicle and trailer have a combined GVW of over 26,000 lbs.
