These are just a few key pieces of information we have run into over the years which when not known by the owner of a prorated vehicle can cost them a significant amount of money. As we experience and learn new helpful tips, we will update this page accordingly.
1. Annual registration required generally - A vehicle must be registered annually WHETHER IN USE OR NOT. If the owner fails to do so, fees and penalties are due for the current year and one previous year.
2. Waiver of penalty available for inoperable vehicle procedure - If applicant provides parts or repair receipts and an Affidavit of Inoperative Motor Vehicle declaring the vehicle was inoperable, the penalties (on both years) and road use fee (on previous year, where applicable) may be waived. The repairs must be of substantial nature and the required documentation must be attached to the request for waiver.
3. Prorate license plate not transferable - A prorate license plate issued to a truck or truck-tractor that has been registered in accordance with the provision for proportional registration, cannot be reassigned to a new owner upon the transfer of ownership of such truck or truck-tractor. However a prorate license plate for a truck or truck-tractor can be transferred to a newly purchased unit within the same fleet for the same registrant.
4. When 2290 Federal Highway Use Tax is due. - The tax is imposed on the first use of any taxable highway motor vehicle on a public highway in the United States. The taxable year is July 1 through June 30 and the tax is due by the last day of the month following the month of the first taxable use.
5. Vehicles subject to 2290 Federal Highway Use Tax. - Any commercial motor vehicle having a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more including the weight of any trailer or semitrailer used in combination therewith. Principally the tax covers trucks and truck-tractors used in combination with trailers and semitrailers. Very few single trucks weigh as much as 55,000 pounds gross weight.
6. Loss from accident - When a licensed truck tractor suffers a total loss due to accident or fire, the owner may take the unused registration credit on such vehicle as a credit against the registration of a replacement vehicle in the same year. The weight may not be lowered on the replacement vehicle but may be raised by paying the appropriate amount necessary. If the replacement vehicle is new, a new tag will be issued. A copy of the insurance loss papers must be attached to the new registration issued when such credit is taken, along with the registration certificate of the totaled vehicle.
7. Annual Property Tax Reports for various states - An area most owner/operators may not be aware of is the fact that if you have and (UCR) unified carrier registration some states require that you file an annual property tax form with their office. In some cases, you could end up paying them a fee for property tax. Before deciding that you want to make the big step in obtaining your own operating authority you may want to examine your trucking operation to be sure it will the greatest benefit in the long run to apply for your authority.
Please feel free to call our office if you would like more information on any of the above topics or have questions of your own which we may not have covered. You may post questions in our guest book.
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