New Accounts

IRP Open a New Account

To open a new International Registration Plan (IRP) account, an applicant is required to meet South Carolina's jurisdictional requirements, submit MCS applications and supporting documents. Applicants also MUST successfully complete the application review process. 

  • IRP login credentials will be provided once ALL of the requirements to establish a new account have been met
  • Payment, upon approval, is required for apportioned registration to be generated 
  • Carriers wanting to register under the IRP must meet certain requirements, which are outlined in SCDMV Motor Carrier Eligibility Checklist

All documents must be in your possession prior to processing online. The vehicle for which you wish to register under IRP must be titled in SC prior to applying for IRP. Do not add a newly purchased vehicle to your account until the transfer of the title has been fully processed in your name. Failure to do so may result in the SCDMV denying your application and delaying your new account processing.

Qualified Vehicles

A qualified motor vehicle is one used, designed, or maintained for the transportation of persons or property, and at least one of the following is true: 

  • Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms
  • Has three or more axles regardless of weight
  • Used in combination when the weight of such combination is more than 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms GVW or registered GVW

A recreational vehicle (RV) is not a qualified vehicle. These are vehicles like a motor home, pickup truck with a trailer, or buses when used exclusively for personal pleasure. An RV may not be used in connection with any business to still be considered an RV.

Farm vehicles, special mobile equipment, and buses are subject to IFTA licensing requirements if they meet the GVW or axle criteria and cross state lines.

Exempt Vehicles

Recreational Vehicles

Vehicles that display restricted plates:

  • A restricted plate is defined as a plate that has a time, geographic area, distance, or commodity restrictions. For example: farm, transporter, dealer, repair, forestry, antique, or emergency-disaster plates
  • City pick-up and delivery vehicles
  • Government owned vehicles
  • Vehicles with a GVW of less than 26,000 pounds

Required Documents

The following documents are required to open an IRP account in South Carolina:

Base Jurisdiction

A base jurisdiction is defined as where an applicant has established a place of business, the fleet has accrued distance, and where operational records of the fleet are maintained or can be made available. 

To use SC as your base jurisdiction, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Provide three proofs of the established business or three proofs of South Carolina residency.
    Proofs cannot be mixed between business and personal names. Addresses must match across all submitted proof of addresses and post office boxes/virtual offices are not accepted.
  • The IRP account must produce SC distance/miles
  • Fleet records must be maintained or made available within this state

Established Place of Business

An established place of business is a physical structure located within South Carolina that is owned or leased by the applicant. The establishment must have a physical structure, be open for business and staffed during regular business hours, and staff employed for general management of the trucking-related business.

South Carolina Resident

If you do not have an established place of business but want to utilize this state as your base jurisdiction, you must provide proof of SC residency.

Three of the following proofs of residency must be submitted for a business or personal account:

  • Current and valid SC driver's license
  • South Carolina Articles of Incorporation (registered to conduct business in South Carolina)
  • Vehicle titled in base jurisdiction or financial lease agreement 
  • Applicant’s current year residence or business rental agreement 
  • One of the following:
    • Most recent landline phone (no cell phone), gas, electric, water/sewer, OR garbage
  • Applicant’s prior year state or federal income taxes
  • Prior year paid county vehicle and/or residence property tax receipt or most recent mortgage statement
  • Current year business license

Articles of Organization (not required if using SSN)

Ownership Documents

  • Original South Carolina title
  • Original out-of-state title along with a Title and/or Registration Application (Form 400). Click here for more information on moving to South Carolina
  • If the owner on the title is not the same as the registrant, a lease agreement is required (IRP-9) and a notarized letter on letterhead from the owner of the vehicle granting the applicant permission to add the vehicle into their fleet

Out-of-State Owner Leasing to SC IRP Customer

  • An out-of-state customer who wishes to lease a vehicle to an SC IRP customer with a valid USDOT number may register in SC without transferring a title.
  • You must present the all following documentation to obtain a SC pseudo title:

Prior to applying for an IRP account, a SC pseudo title must be created.

The IRP-11 is an affidavit that states there is a valid title for this vehicle, which is currently on file, in another state, in the owner’s/lessor’s name. The owner/lessor must fill out this form and have their signature notarized for it to be valid. It will be used to apply for IRP/IFTA registration and licensing for this vehicle only.

IRS Form 2290 from IRS.gov

  • Required for vehicles hauling 55,000 lbs or more
  • Must show e-file watermark or stamped by the IRS
  • Not required if purchase date is less than 60 days

Property Tax Receipt

  • Required for vehicles hauling 26,000 lbs or less
  • Must be from the county where the vehicle is housed

USDOT and FEIN

  • The carrier must have a valid DOT and EIN
  • If another company will be responsible for safety, their DOT and EIN are required with a IRP-9 (Lease agreement)

In addition, MC-25 (Power of Attorney) is required if allowing someone other than the owner to work on the account

Application Review

Please allow five business days to receive  an e-mail with the next step(s) required to establish a new IRP account.

  • If approved, you will be emailed an approval message with IRP login credentials and an invoice
  • If denied, you will be notified via email with an explanation of the decision. Then you must fix the errors and resubmit the application to be reviewed again

For further information on the process and requirements of obtaining an IRP/IFTA account email MCSHQ@scdmv.net.  Please provide the following in the subject line of the email, your name, customer number, and contact number. Allow 24 to 48 hours for a response or contact Motor Carrier Services Helpdesk at 803-896-3870.

New Account Portal

APPLY FOR NEW IRP AND IFTA ACCOUNT
Branches for Motor Carrier Services

There are eight SCDMV branches across the state that process all other MCS transactions. Those branches are listed below:

FIND AN SCDMV BRANCH