Frequently Asked Questions - Motor Carrier Services

With commercial motor vehicles traveling more than 9.5 billion miles in Indiana each year, the Motor Carrier Service (MCS) division of the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) seeks to provide guidance and service to motor carrier companies, commercial drivers, and residents of Indiana through the fair administration of state and federal laws that govern the commercial use of Indiana’s roads. Motor Carrier Services oversees many areas that affect the commercial transportation industry, such as International Fuel Tax Agreement, International Registration Plan, Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permitting, Unified Carrier Registration, and USDOT Numbers.

There are several ways to contact MCS depending on your needs. Find contact information and hours of operation.

Indiana Department of Revenue
Motor Carrier Services Division
7811 Milhouse Road., Suite M
Indianapolis, IN 46241
317-615-7200

Motor carrier customer service is available at the MCS location only. Customer service for other tax types is available through DOR's district offices.

Any business entity operating a qualifying vehicle should register for an IRP. A “qualifying” vehicle is any vehicle used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions, and includes one of the following:

• a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight, or registered gross vehicle weight, in excess of 26,000 pounds (11,793 kilograms)
• a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight
• used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds (11,793 kilograms) gross vehicle weight or registered weight

After processing your transaction online and making the payment, you can print a Temporary Permit.

There may be several reasons why the system gave you this message. Keep the following tips in mind:

• The name you entered in the search field should match your IRP cab card registration.
• The account should reflect your Social Security number if you are a sole proprietor, and not your federal identification number (FEIN).
• The IRP account number must match the number you were assigned upon opening the account.
• The system is case sensitive.

If you continue to receive this message, you can call the MCS division at 317-615-7200.

The fee is 10% of the Indiana apportion fees on the renewal bill. This fee will be charged on any renewal not paid by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the expiring registration period. For example: if your renewal month is February, then your bill must be paid by Jan. 31.

As a service bureau, you cannot register yourself as the account holder. You must send a valid DOR Power of Attorney Form (POA-1) to the IRP unit of MCS. After the POA-1 is received and approved, the IRP unit will create the requested username for you. If the service bureau represents additional accounts, you will need to send a POA-1 for each account and receive approval from DOR to be granted access to those accounts. You will only be issued one username and password.

If you processed a transaction within the last 21 days and did not submit the required documents to the IRP unit, your account will automatically be restricted. Any outstanding liabilities past 30 days will also cause your account to be restricted.

Yes, you may transfer your plate to another vehicle and then update the vehicle attributes, if needed. To transfer a plate, go to your IRP’s online service account and select the “Plate Transfer” transaction to avoid accidentally selecting the wrong transaction type and purchasing a new plate.

An "Estimator" is available on IRP Inc’s website. This tool will prompt you to provide the information needed to give you an estimated cost.

Zero mileage is not acceptable. If you haven’t traveled in a jurisdiction, leave it blank.

Actual distance must be used when the registrant's fleet accumulated any actual distance during the distance reporting period.

When a registrant's fleet is considered new under Section 420 of the IRP, or the fleet did not accumulate any actual distance during the distance reporting period, fees will be calculated using the base jurisdiction's average per vehicle distance chart.

No, a new fleet has no actual distance. Under Full Reciprocity Plan (FRP), the jurisdiction's average per-vehicle distance chart must be used to determine fees for all IRP jurisdictions. A combination of actual distance and average per-vehicle distance should never be used under FRP.

The average per-vehicle distance chart is to be established in accordance with Section 320 (d) of the IRP.

In accordance with Section 320 (c) of the IRP, the average per-vehicle distance chart is to be updated by March 31 of each year. Jurisdictions will be asked to provide proof of the updated chart each year.

No. The 90-day rule was removed by the FRP ballot.

Yes. Under full reciprocity, the registrant must report the actual distance accumulated during the distance reporting period and pay fees accordingly. The official commentary under the "apportionable vehicle" definition provides guidance regarding a registrant's eligibility for IRP registration (18-month rule).

There is no need. The distance percentage would be the same whether you multiplied the amount by the number of vehicles or not.

There are several ways to reprint your cab cards. In your IRP online service account, go to “Credentials” and select your account information. Select Transaction, Unit, or Plate number. You may sort by unit number, VIN number, plate number, or owner name. Select “Print Active Cab Cards” to reprint your cab cards.

You may also reprint cab cards by going to “Transactions” and selecting the transaction number, then selecting “Cab Card.”

The gross vehicle weight should be displayed on the cab card for every IRP jurisdiction. The base declared gross weight plus the comparable weight for each member jurisdiction should be reflected.

The gross vehicle weight should be displayed on the cab card for every IRP jurisdiction. The base declared gross weight plus the comparable weight for each member jurisdiction should be reflected.

There is a 10% variance of registered weights rule in the IRP. Refer to IRP Section 325 regarding this and related registration weight matters.

You can view the Plan in full or visit the IRP, Inc. website.

Farm-plated vehicles that travel on any Indiana interstate road system need an OSOW permit. Farm-plated vehicles running only on a secondary road system are exempt from OSOW permits.

Go to Indiana Motor Carrier Applications and select “Apply for an OSOW Account.” You will need your company's federal identification number (EIN) to apply for a permit. Sole proprietors must apply using their Social Security number. You must also know your USDOT number (if applicable).

You must have a user ID and password to access the system. After you have established an Indiana account, you can register as a user. Go to Indiana Motor Carrier Applications and select “User Registration.” Once you are registered and logged into your OSOW account, you can order your permits online.

The MCS Oversize/Overweight page offers several resources to help you with routing prior to applying for a permit, including maps, toll road information, bridge heights, and weather and construction information.

Applying online is the easiest and fastest way to receive an OSOW permit.

You may complete Form M-233 and mail it to:
Motor Carrier Services
Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permitting
7811 Milhouse Rd., Suite M
Indianapolis, IN 46241

In-person service is available at DOR’s Motor Carrier Customer Service Center. Customers who arrive at MCS without an appointment may experience longer than expected wait times and may be asked to make an appointment for some transaction types.

A "Superload" is any load that exceeds 15 feet high, 16 feet wide, 110 feet long, and/or 120,000 pounds, or fails the overload analysis. Any load that fails the overload analysis must be reviewed by an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) engineer. Loads that are reviewed by INDOT engineers require additional processing time.

When your permit is ready, you will be notified by email. You can also check the status of all permit applications by logging in to your online services account and selecting “My Recent Applications.”

Log in to your OSOW online service account and select “Special Weight Vehicle Registration.” Select the year you are registering for and add your vehicle information, including the full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). After you have added all your vehicles, you must pay the registration fee before any Special Weight Permits can be ordered. Once you have entered and registered all your vehicles, you need to renew your Special Weight Registration annually. You can also add, edit or delete trucks at any time at no additional cost. To order a Special Weight Permit, your vehicle must be registered.

Log in to your OSOW online service account and Select “Apply for Permit.” Select “Annual Permit” for type of permit to be ordered. Then, select “Toll Road Gate-Annual” from the list. You will complete the vehicle information section and select the gate numbers you need. You can then pay for and print your Toll Road Gate Permits. You will need to obtain only one permit for each truck (each permit can have multiple gates listed).

There are several reasons your account may be on hold. Some common issues and ways to troubleshoot include:

• OSOW account has expired - If your account has expired, visit OSOW online services, log in using your credentials, and submit your account renewal.
• Carrier has received a travel violation - If you have received a travel violation, ensure your travel violation letter meets these requirements. Then, upload the signed letter by following these steps: visit OSOW online services, log in using your credentials, select “Menu,” select “Travel Violation,” then the option to upload will appear.
• “On hold for nonpayment of a permit” – If a permit is unpaid, visit OSOW online services, log in using your credentials, and pay for the application in your shopping cart. If you have several missing payments or other issues, contact us at 317-615-7200.

Holiday travel restrictions for permitted overweight bulk milk transport weighing up to 154,000 pounds are waived. This includes vehicles permitted with single-trip overweight permits and those with annual bulk milk permits. For more information, call MCS at 317-615-7200 or email IndianaOSW@dor.in.gov.

If you have a commercial motor vehicle that applies to the definitions below, then you will need a USDOT number.

A commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle has any of the following:

• a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,526 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater
• is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous (under 49 U.S.C. 5103) and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation (under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C)
• is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers (including the driver) for compensation
• is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and is not used to transport passengers for compensation

If you are an interstate or intrastate carrier, you may apply online to obtain your USDOT number.

If you are an intrastate carrier, you may register online but you may obtain the Form IOA-1.

Yes, some carriers are exempt if any of the following are true:

• You are farm-plated (both truck and trailer) and do not cross the state line.
• You only remain in Indiana, haul your own private property that is non-hazardous and your combined gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight rating is less than 26,000 pounds.

• Any carrier that is for-hire, (hauling someone else’s property) intrastate, (in Indiana only) and has a gross vehicle weight rating that is less than 10,000 pounds.
• Any carrier that is for-hire intrastate (in Indiana only) and is transporting eight or fewer passengers.

If you are a for-hire carrier of property or passengers, and you leave the state, you need to apply for a Motor Carrier (MC) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can apply for your MC number online or contact FMCSA to request forms at 800-832-5660.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are available on the FMCSA website.

If you plan to transport passengers or household goods between points in Indiana, you need to apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity.

• If you are an intrastate for-hire carrier, or if you haul hazardous materials, you are required to have a Form E Indiana on file with DOR’s MCS division. You may request the Form E Indiana from your insurance company and they will file it with DOR.
• If you have an MC number, your insurance company will file Form BMC-90 or 91X with the FMCSA.
• If you are an interstate for-hire carrier of passengers or household goods, you are required to have a Form E Indiana on file with the DOR’s MCS division and a Form BMC-90X or 91X with the FMCSA.

UCR is an annual registration for interstate carriers, leasing companies, brokers and freight forwarders. Learn more and register online. Access the registration portal.

Yes. If you are crossing the state line and your vehicle is farm-plated, you must register for UCR.

No. All UCR registrations are available for viewing online. You do not need to carry anything in the vehicle.

No. You will not have to pay for additional vehicles added throughout the year. You will add those vehicles on the next UCR registration year.

When you are stopped by a law enforcement agency in any state, you could be ticketed for not registering.

Indiana legislation has required base plate registration for five or more commercial intrastate vehicles to be processed by MCS. The move allows carriers with commercial vehicles to select their renewal month, allowing more control over their fleet demands and costs. It also streamlines the renewal process for your business. Renewal will be done online only, allowing carriers to conveniently manage their business from anywhere, 24/7.

Motor Carrier Services registrations are processed online, allowing you to conveniently manage your business from anywhere, 24/7. If an account is in good standing, you can add a vehicle, register, and be road ready within 10 minutes. Additionally, you no longer need to manage stickers every year. Your plate is permanent, only needs to be renewed once a year, and only needs to be replaced if lost, stolen, or mutilated.

The BMV processes registration for intrastate vehicles that are less than 11,001 pounds because the Indiana law determined MCS will only process registration for carriers with five or more vehicles that are registered at 11,001 pounds or more.

Under state law, IRP and BPR transactions must be conducted electronically. Take a moment now to review your user profile (select User Profile after logging in) to ensure your contact information is correct or register for access. If you have issues complying with the legal mandate for online transactions, contact MCS at 317-615-7200 or email BasePlateMigration@dor.IN.gov. See MCS Online Services.

The first time you complete base plate registration with MCS, your initial registration will not be for 12 months.

When completing your initial registration with MCS, you will be asked to select a staggered month, which is simply the month in which your vehicle registrations will renew every year. Depending on your staggered month selection, your initial registration fee could be between six and 18 months. Any extra fees will transition you to your selected staggered month. If you did not select a staggered month, MCS will automatically assign you one. Every effort will be made to accommodate your selection. Once the staggered month has been selected, it cannot be changed. After this process, you will renew each year in your selected month. The goal is to stagger the renewal process throughout the year.

No. If you register less than five or more commercial intrastate vehicles with MCS, you will renew with MCS each year.

The Temporary Permit is issued to all paid vehicles that appear on renewals and some transactions. The permit allows travel to legally continue until permanent plates are received.

There are several ways to submit required documents:

• Email documents to IndianaBPR@dor.IN.gov
• Fax documents to 317-615-7280
• Mail documents to:

Indiana Department of Revenue
Motor Carrier Services/BPR Section
7811 Milhouse Road, Suite M
Indianapolis, IN 46241

The BMV can still process your titles. However, if you prefer MCS to process your titles, your vehicle must be registered with MCS and you must mail your title with the correct paperwork to:

Motor Carrier Services Titles
7811 Milhouse Road,  Suite M
Indianapolis, IN 46241

Yes, the fee is $15 per cab card. This fee will be charged on any BPR renewal not paid by 11:59  p.m. on the last day of the expiring registration period. For example: if your renewal month is February, then your bill must be paid by Jan. 31.

MCFT is Indiana Motor Carrier Fuel Tax for Intrastate Carriers. IFTA is International Fuel Tax Agreement for Interstate Carriers.

Yes. If you travel outside of your base state and your vehicle meets requirements, you are required to have an IFTA license unless a law exists in your base state that exempts you from filing fuel taxes when farm-plated (e.g., Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky).

Yes, fuel purchased at a metered pump marked “Trucks Only” (tax exempt) qualify for “Tax Paid-Gallons” for IFTA and MCFT.

For more information about “Trucks Only” metered pumps or general fuel purchases, refer to Sales Tax Information Bulletin #15.

Yes. A quarterly tax return is required to be filed by the due date for all quarters that you have a fuel tax license and issued compliance decals. If you did not accumulate miles, indicate zero miles and zero gallons used on your quarterly tax return.

• Your fuel tax account must first be current with MCS before you can close it.
• After filing all returns and making any payments due, you must make your request to close your account in writing by using Form OSS-1 Closure Letter, and selecting IFTA or MCFT account.
• You will return your annual fuel tax license cab cards and all compliance decals to MCS with the signed Form OSS-1, Closure Letter.
• Failure to return decals and fuel tax license cab cards with the written request will require the account holder to file their respective quarterly tax returns to the end of the calendar license year, including the fourth quarter return which is due by Jan. 31 of the following year.

You may be receiving an error because you are attempting to order more decals than you are allotted. Ensure all fields are filled correctly. Contact 317-615-7200 (option 1) for further assistance.

MCS offers a few resources to help fuel tax carriers comply. Refer to the Fuel Tax Quick Reference Guide, IFTA & IRP Audit Tips, or you can review the IFTA manuals in full at IFTA, Inc.

If you don’t have a computer, you still have several ways to access our online application:

• Visit a public library and use a computer.
• Visit MCS's One Stop Shop Customer Service Office located at 7811 Milhouse Road, Suite M, Indianapolis, IN 46241 to use a computer. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
• Visit a DOR district office in your area to use a computer.

Find the system requirements to use the online applications.

The security settings on your computer must be updated before you can use the MCS online applications. Note the security settings have been put in place for your protection. You may access directions on how to change computer security settings.

The MCS online service application allows carriers to process renewals and transactions 24/7, including paying and printing cab cards without ever leaving your home or office. You can also renew your plates and process most transaction types such as adding vehicles, transfers, replacement plates and more.

The OSOW online service application allows carriers to electronically request, pay for, and print OSOW permits. You may also amend permits and register for special weight permits. The electronic permit system is the fastest way to request and obtain your permits.

Interstate carriers may register and pay online for their annual UCR. You will need to enter your USDOT number, then the system will guide you through the process. You may pay for your UCR with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) or a checking account. If you need assistance or have questions, call 317-615-7200.

MCS150 can be updated through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

See current Indiana state maps and roadway inventories.