The following is a glossary of common terms used in the IRP, IFTA and the SSRS programs. In some cases, the same terms may be used differently in different programs.

Account

Anyone who establishes an account with the Bureau for IRP, SSRS or for fuel tax licensing and reporting purposes. See licensee; application

Additional Fleet Vehicles

Vehicles acquired by the registrant after the commencement of the registration year and added to the proportionally registered fleet.

Allocated Vehicle

A fleet of rental cars or rental trucks not otherwise required to be in the IRP in which a portion of the registrations are assigned to each jurisdiction based on the percentage of revenue earned.

Agreement

Refers to the IRP Plan itself, or to other reciprocal agreements, or among jurisdictions

Applicant

A person, firm or corporation in whose name the uniform application is filed with a base jurisdiction to apportion a fleet of vehicles.

Application

See Uniform Application

Apportioned Operator

Registrant of a fleet of apportioned vehicles.

Apportionment

Registration based on a proportional payment of registration fees, whether determined by a quotient of miles traveled, revenue received, average presence, or any other similar method.

Audit

The official examination of a registrant's records to determine if the correct fees were paid.

Basing Point

Refers to a system of vehicle registration and associated reciprocity where the basing point is the registrant's place of business from which the vehicle is most frequently dispatched, garaged, serviced, or otherwise controlled.

Bingo Stamp

The official indicia denoting that a motor carrier is for-hire but exempt from Interstate Commerce commission Authority. Bingo stamps are displayed on Form
D-1 cab cards issued by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

Bob Tail

The operation of a truck-tractor alone, not in combination with a trailer or
semi-trailer.

Bureau

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Bus

Every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 15 passengers, including the driver.

Cab Card

A registration card issued only by the base jurisdiction for a vehicle of an apportioned fleet which identifies the vehicle, base state, registered weight by jurisdiction and showing the jurisdictions where the vehicle is properly registered.

Canadian Provincial
Authority Number

A unique number assigned to a motor carrier authorized to conduct highway transportation operations within the boundary of the Canadian Province issuing the number.

Cancellation

The voluntary annulment of a license by a licensee who is in good standing.

Carrier

See Motor Carrier

Charter Buses
(A.K.A. Tour Buses)

Buses which do not operate on a fixed route or on a regular schedule. Charter Buses also include private buses.

Combination of Vehicles

A power unit used in combination with trailers and/or semi-trailers.

Combined Gross Vehicle Weight

The total unladed weight of a combination of vehicles plus the weight of the load carried on that combination of vehicles.

Common Carrier

Any motor carrier which holds itself out to the general public to engage in the transportation, by motor vehicle, of passengers or property for compensation.

Consumer Rental Vehicle

An automobile or truck registered for 26,000 pounds or less offered to the public for rent or short term lease.

Contract Carrier

Any motor carrier transporting persons or property for compensation or hire under contract to a particular person, firm or corporation.

Converter Gear

A set of axles with a fifth wheel designed to be towed by a power unit, and which is used to convert a semi-trailer to a full trailer. Converter gear may be used to connect two trailers in a twin trailer combination.

CVISN
(Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Network)

An effort to design motor carrier systems in such a way as to provide for maximum utility and flexibility. CVISN includes such programs as electronic credentialing, safety management, pre-clearance programs, and the IRP and IFTA Clearinghouses.

Declared Combined Gross Vehicle Weight

The total unladen weight of any combination of vehicles plus the maximum load to be carried on that combination of vehicles for which registration fees have been paid. See Uniform Application (Schedule A) and Uniform Change Application (Schedule C).

Declared Gross Vehicle Weight

The total unladen weight of any vehicle plus the maximum load to be carried on the vehicle for which registration fees have been paid.
See Uniform Application (Schedule A) and Uniform Change Application (Schedule C).

Distance

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "distance" means the same as "mileage".

DOT Number

Carrier-specific number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be used as a census number in the tracking of motor safety compliance issues.

Emergency Vehicles

Any vehicle authorized to display red, blue or amber lights in the performance of duties as defined in M.R.S.A. 29-A § 2054.

Empty Weight

See Unladen Vehicle Weight.

Enforcement Date

The date a carrier is required by its base jurisdiction to display the new registration year's credentials.

Exception

A deviation from a provision of the IRP agreement by a member jurisdiction, which has been approved by all member jurisdictions.

Excise Tax

A prerequisite to motor vehicles registering in Maine. The tax is determined by multiplying the manufacturer's list price by a mil rate determined by the age of the motor vehicle.

Extension

A period of time from the expiration date or grace period date that carriers may operate on expired credentials because the base jurisdiction is unable to provide current credentials.

Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax
(HVUT)

A federal excise tax paid annually to the Internal Revenue Service on each motor vehicle with a GVW of 55,000 pounds or more.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA)

Agency which has adopted Operating Authority functions of the ICC.

Fleet

One or more vehicles with the same jurisdiction profile, common mileage and controlled by the same applicant.

Fleet Miles

See Total Fleet Miles; also I.V.M.R.

For-Hire Carrier

Any person who engages in transportation by motor vehicle of passengers or property for compensation.

Full Trailer

Every vehicle without motive power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.

Grace Period

A period of time from the expiration of the current year's credentials until the date that new credentials are required to be displayed or enforcement action could be taken.

Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW)

The unladen weight of a vehicle plus the weight of the load carried.

Household Goods Carrier

Carriers handling (1) personal effects and property used or to be used in a dwelling; (2) furniture, fixtures, equipment and the property of stores, offices, museums, institutions, hospitals or other establishments, when a part of the stock, equipment or supply of such stores, offices, museums, institutions, including objects of art, displays and exhibits which because of their unusual nature or value require the specialized handling and equipment usually employed in moving household goods; and shall include owned or leased equipment and associated service representatives.

Hunter's Permit

See Unladen Weight Permit.

Individual Vehicle Distance Record
(I.V.D.R.)

Same as I.V.M.R.

Individual Vehicle Mileage Record
(I.V.M.R.)

The original mileage record generated in the course of actual vehicle operation and is used as a source document to verify the registrant's application and tax reports for accuracy.
See Audit.

I.C.C.

An abbreviation for the United States Interstate Commerce Commission. ICC is now called FMCSA.

International Fuel Tax Agreement
(IFTA)

A base state fuel tax compact headquartered in the State of Arizona. IFTA participation was required for all states by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1992.

I.R.P.

The abbreviation for the reciprocal registration agreement, the International Registration Plan.

IRP Administrator

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles official charged with the administration of the International Registration Plan.

Implementation Period

A 120-day time period granted new IRP member jurisdictions to allow sufficient time to notify base registrants and non-IRP registrants of the new entry.

Insurance Filings

For-Hire FMCSA=BMC-91 or BMC91X Intrastate and In=Form E or X21A.

Inter-Jurisdiction Movement

Vehicle movement between or through two or more jurisdictions.

Intra-Jurisdiction Movement

Vehicle movement from one point to another within the same jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction

A state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, a province or territory of the Dominion of Canada, the Federal Republic of Mexico, or a state, province or territory of any other country.

Lease

A written document vesting exclusive possession, control of and responsibility for the operation of the vehicle to the lessee for a specific period of time.

Lessee

A person, firm, or corporation which has the legal possession and control of a vehicle owned by another under terms of a lease agreement.

Lessor

A person, firm or corporation which has assigned the legal possession, control of and responsibility for the operation of the vehicle to another person, firm or corporation.

Licensee

An applicant who has been granted an IFTA or Fuel User license. The licensee is responsible for tax reporting and record keeping.

Manufacturer's Statement of Origin
(M.S.O.)

Documentation from the vehicle manufacturer that precisely describes a particular vehicle. MSO's must contain a vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Member Jurisdiction

A jurisdiction which has applied for membership and has been accepted by all members of the International Registration Plan and/or the International Fuel Tax Agreement.

Mileage

As recorded from IVMR's a compilation of the actual operation of apportioned fleets of vehicles. See I.V.M.R.

Mileage Year

For IRP purposes, the last complete year from July to June.

Motor Carrier

An individual, partnership or corporation engaged in the transportation of goods or persons. See Common Carrier, Contract Carrier or Private Carrier. A motor carrier operator is responsible for some or all of the business requirements of the operation of the motor vehicles.

Motor Fuel

All fuels used for the generation of power for propulsion of qualified motor vehicles.

Motor Vehicle

Every vehicle which is self-propelled by power other than muscular power. See Power Unit.

One-Way Rental Vehicle

A truck having a Declared Gross Vehicle Weight of 26,000 pounds or less and rented or offered for rental by a Rental Company, for a specified period of time.

Operating Authority

Authority granted by either the Interstate Commerce commission, its successor, or a jurisdiction's Regulatory Commission to a carrier to operate for-hire in interstate and/or intrastate commerce.

Owner

Any person, firm or corporation, other than a lienholder, holding legal title to a vehicle.

Owner-Operator

Someone who owns a truck, but who leases the motor vehicle with driver to a motor carrier. The carrier generally is responsible for some or all of the legal and business requirements for the vehicle. In the IRP, a motor vehicle may be registered by either the motor carrier or the owner-operator.

Operational Records

Power Unit

See Bus, Truck, Truck-Tractor or Tractor

Private Carrier

The person, firm or corporation which utilizes its own trucks to transport its own freight.

Performance Registration Information System Management
(PRISM)

A federal-state motor carrier safety program that ties a carrier's safety rating to their ability to register trucks. Maine is a PRISM member.

Properly Registered Vehicle

A vehicle which has been registered in full compliance with the laws of all jurisdictions in which it is intended to be operated.

Proportional Registration

The registration of fleets of apportionable vehicles "in proportion to" the number of miles traveled by a fleet in the preceding year. See Apportionment.

Proration

The proportional payment of fees on a monthly or other basis according to the laws of each jurisdiction.

Purchase Price, Vehicle

1. Original Purchase Price - For purposes of apportionment registration, the actual purchase price of the vehicle when new, excluding trade-in and sales tax, including accessories or modifications attached to the vehicle.
   See Uniform Application Schedule (Schedule A).
2. Factory List Price - The manufacturer's retail price, excluding trade-in and sales tax, including accessories or modifications attached to the vehicle, as provided for in McLean-Hunter Automobiles Reference Book.
3. Latest Purchase Price - The actual purchase price of the vehicle paid by the current owner, excluding trade-in and sales tax, including accessories or modifications attached to the vehicle.

Qualified Intrastate Vehicle

A motor vehicle that otherwise meets the definition of a qualified motor vehicle, but does not travel in at least two IFTA jurisdictions.

Qualified Motor Vehicle

A motor vehicle that travels in two or more IFTA jurisdictions and which meets any of the following conditions:

1. the gross weight or combined gross is in excess of 26,000 pounds; or
2. the power unit has three or more axles regardless of weight; or
3. the vehicle is a bus with a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers including the driver.

Reciprocity

The reciprocal granting of rights and/or privileges to vehicles properly registered under the IRP and to vehicle not so registered if such vehicles are subject to separate reciprocity agreements, arrangements, declaration or understandings.

Reciprocity Miles

Miles traveled by apportionable vehicles in jurisdictions that require no apportionment and grant reciprocity.

Recreational Vehicle

Vehicles used for personal pleasure and not in connection with any commercial or business enterprise. Recreational vehicles include such vehicles as campers and motor homes.

Registered Weight

The weight for which a vehicle is licensed or registered within a particular jurisdiction.
See Declared Combined Gross Vehicle Weight and Declared Gross Vehicle Weight.

Registrant

The person, firm or corporation in whose name a vehicle is properly registered.

Registration

The process by which a vehicle is qualified for operation by describing the vehicle, by establishing operational control of the vehicle and by the payment of fees for the privilege to use the public highway system.

Registration Card

See Cab Card.

Registration Fee

For apportionable vehicles, shall be the total fee required under the laws of each jurisdiction for each vehicle at the regular annual or unexpired portion of the registration year.

Registration Year

The specific period for which a vehicle's registration is valid. Maine issued IRP registrations are generally issued for twelve months, which may expire in any month. See Staggered Registration.

Resident Agent

Individual with a legal residence in the state and on whom service or process may be presented. Resident agents must file forms: BOC-3 (Intrastate or Interstate Non-Exempt) and/or MV227 (Intrastate Exempt).

Restricted Plates

Registration plates with a geographic, time or commodity restriction. Restricted plates are exempt from the IRP and are subject to reciprocity agreements.

Revocation

Means the permanent withdrawal of license privileges by a jurisdiction for cause.

Schedule A

See Uniform Application Schedule (Schedule A)

Schedule B

See Uniform Mileage Schedule (Schedule B)

Schedule C

See Uniform Change Application (Schedule C)

Semitrailer

A vehicle without motive power designed to be pulled or towed by a motor vehicle in which part of the trailer's load is supported by the power unit. See Trailer.

Service Representative

Someone who furnishes facilities and services including sales, warehousing, management equipment and drivers under contract or by other arrangement to a household goods carrier.

Staggered Registration

When an annual motor vehicle registration may expire in any month, generally twelve months from the month of issuance. Maine maintains a system of staggered IRP registrations.

State

For the purpose of this manual, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "State" has the same meaning as "Jurisdiction".

Suspension

The temporary removal of privileges by the licensing jurisdiction for cause.

Taxable Miles

All miles operated on public highways subject to a jurisdiction's fuel tax requirements. Miles operated under trip permits and off-road generally are exempt from fuel tax requirements.

Temporary Authority
(T/A)

See Temporary Vehicle Registration.

Temporary Vehicle Registration
(TVR)

A credential valid for up to 45 days to allow a vehicle to be operated while annual registration credentials are being processed. Also known as Temporary Authority (T/A's).

Total Fleet Miles

The total number of miles operated by a registrant's apportioned vehicles in all jurisdictions during the preceding year (June to July).

Total Miles

The total number of miles operated by a carrier's qualified vehicles in all jurisdictions during the preceding calendar year.

Trailer

A vehicle without motor power designed to be pulled or towed by a motor vehicle in which no part of the vehicle's load is supported by the power unit. See Semitrailer.

Trip Permit

A temporary permit issued by a jurisdiction in lieu of regular registration, reciprocity or fuel tax licensing.

Truck

Every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

Truck Tractor

Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles, but so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.

Uniform Application Schedule
(Schedule A)

The IRP application forms provided for making application for apportioned registration.

Uniform Mileage Schedule
(Schedule B)

The IRP form provided to record mileage by jurisdiction and total fleet miles derived from operational records.

Uniform Change Application
(Schedule C)

The IRP application forms provided for making application for apportioned renewals and changes.

Unladen Vehicle Weight

The weight of a vehicle fully equipped for service excluding the weight of any load.

Unladen Weight Permit

A permit issued to owner-operators to allow the movement of an unloaded vehicle that does not have a current registration. Also called Hunter's Permit.

USDOT #

This number also known as a census number is provided for under CFR 49 Subpart B Section 390.21 Subsection (B) (3).

Vehicle

Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon rails or tracks.

Vehicle Identification Number
(V.I.N.)

The numbers and letters generally assigned to a vehicle by the manufacturer for the purpose of titling and registration.

Wire Services

Any of several entities that specialize in obtaining various credentials for carriers from jurisdictions. Also called Permit Services. Maine will issue various temporary IRP, Fuel Tax, Overlimit or Operating Authority credentials through several different wire services.

Year

For IFTA fuel tax purposes, the license year is January to December.