If you're planning to purchase a commercial vehicle from outside your home state, you may be wondering: do I need plates and other operating credentials to drive this vehicle home? The short answer is yes. Even though the truck is new to you, it's still being operated "in commerce" and driven for a business purpose. Sky Transport Solutions helps carriers navigate the credential requirements for out-of-state vehicle purchases.
What Credentials Are Required?
When you purchase a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), whether used or new, the truck will need everything that any other CMV would need to be legal on the road. Sky Transport Solutions ensures that carriers have all necessary credentials before driving a newly purchased vehicle.
Essential Requirements to Remember
- The vehicle must be marked with the purchasing company's name and USDOT number
- The driver must be qualified to be on the road and have the proper license to operate the vehicle
- The driver must be compliant with hours-of-service regulations
- The driver must stop at weigh stations along the way
- The driver must comply with all other rules that apply to operating the vehicle on public roadways
Operating Authority and UCR
Operating Authority: Trip permits for interstate for-hire operating authority aren't available from states. Carriers must have federal operating authority before conducting any for-hire transportation. Sky Transport Solutions can help carriers obtain the necessary operating authority before making an out-of-state purchase.
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR): All interstate and international carriers (private, exempt, for-hire) must be registered under the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement. UCR trip permits are not available, so carriers must ensure they have current UCR registration before operating the vehicle.
Tax Requirements
The main taxes you need to consider when purchasing a vehicle out-of-state include registration and fuel taxes, mileage taxes, and heavy vehicle use taxes.
Registration and Fuel Taxes
You'll need temporary registration and fuel permits if the truck is a qualifying vehicle under those programs. Sometimes the state in which the vehicle was purchased will issue a temporary registration or temporary registration permit so the vehicle has a "plate" of sorts. Then, state-by-state trip and fuel permits can be purchased for the trip home. Sky Transport Solutions can assist with obtaining the necessary temporary permits for your journey.
Mileage Taxes
Several U.S. jurisdictions assess mileage or highway use taxes in addition to fuel taxes, including Connecticut, Kentucky, New York, New Mexico, and Oregon. Trip permits are available in some cases for carriers not permanently registered. Sky Transport Solutions helps carriers identify which states require mileage tax permits and obtain them when necessary.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT)
The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax applies to highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, including trucks, tractors, and buses. For these vehicles, you must file Form 2290 and Schedule 1 if a taxable highway motor vehicle is registered, or required to be registered, in your name under any state or District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law at the time of its first use.
Key Takeaway from Sky Transport Solutions
When purchasing a commercial vehicle out-of-state, you need all the same credentials as any other CMV on the road—including proper marking, driver qualifications, operating authority, UCR registration, and applicable tax permits. Sky Transport Solutions can help ensure you have everything in place before you drive your newly purchased vehicle home.
How Sky Transport Solutions Can Help
At Sky Transport Solutions, we specialize in helping carriers navigate the complex credential requirements for commercial vehicle operations. Our team can assist with:
- Obtaining federal operating authority before making an out-of-state purchase
- Ensuring UCR registration is current and compliant
- Securing temporary registration and fuel permits for the trip home
- Identifying and obtaining mileage tax permits for applicable states
- Filing Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Tax when required
- Ensuring proper vehicle marking with company name and USDOT number
- Verifying driver qualifications and compliance requirements
Don't let credential requirements delay your vehicle purchase or create compliance issues. Contact Sky Transport Solutions today to ensure you have all necessary credentials before driving your newly purchased commercial vehicle home.
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