Florida HSMV Form 85900 IRP Application Guide

Florida HSMV Form 85900 IRP Application Guide – The Florida HSMV Form 85900 is the official application used by commercial motor carriers to register apportionable vehicles under the International Registration Plan (IRP) in the state of Florida. Issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Bureau of Commercial Vehicle and Driver Services, this form allows carriers based in Florida to obtain a single apportioned license plate and cab card that is valid across all IRP member jurisdictions in the United States and Canada.

This guide provides current information for U.S. commercial vehicle operators, fleet managers, and owner-operators seeking to understand, complete, and submit Form 85900. All details are drawn from official FLHSMV resources to ensure accuracy for carriers operating interstate commerce.

What Is the International Registration Plan (IRP)?

The International Registration Plan is a reciprocal agreement among the lower 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the 10 Canadian provinces. It allows a motor carrier to register commercial vehicles in their base jurisdiction and operate legally in all other member jurisdictions with a single set of credentials.

Under IRP, registration fees are apportioned based on the percentage of miles traveled in each jurisdiction. Florida serves as the base jurisdiction when the carrier maintains an established place of business or residency in the state and accrues mileage there.

Apportionable vehicles generally include power units that:

  • Have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 26,000 pounds, or
  • Have three or more axles regardless of weight, or
  • Are used in combination with a trailer where the combined GVW exceeds 26,000 pounds.

For complete details on IRP eligibility and requirements, visit the official Florida IRP page on the FLHSMV website.

Purpose of Florida HSMV Form 85900

Form 85900, titled “International Registration Plan, Florida Application,” is used for original registrations, renewals (when the computer-generated form is unavailable), adding vehicles, weight increases, fleet transfers, corrections, and other supplemental transactions.

The form consists of two main schedules:

  • Schedule A – Applicant information, vehicle details, type of operation, and transaction type.
  • Schedule B – Mileage information by jurisdiction and declared gross vehicle weight.

Applicants must complete the form accurately, sign it (service agent or power-of-attorney signatures are not accepted on the application itself), and submit required supporting documents. Do not send payment with the initial application; FLHSMV calculates fees and issues an invoice after processing.

Who Needs to File Form 85900?

Any Florida-based motor carrier operating apportionable vehicles in interstate commerce must register under IRP using Form 85900 (or the online Interstate Carrier Filing System). This includes:

  • Private carriers transporting their own goods
  • For-hire carriers
  • Household goods carriers

Carriers without an established place of business in Florida may still base their vehicles in the state if the applicant or a company officer is a Florida resident and can provide the required proofs of residency.

Vehicles operating solely intrastate within Florida, government-owned vehicles, recreational vehicles used for personal travel, and certain restricted-plate vehicles are generally exempt from IRP and register through local county tax collectors instead.

How to Download Florida HSMV Form 85900?

The official fillable PDF version of Form 85900 is available directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Download the current form here:

Download Florida HSMV Form 85900 (PDF)

You may complete the form electronically (fillable PDF) or print a blank copy and fill it out by hand in ink. After completing the fillable version, print it before closing the file, as changes cannot be saved online. Always use the most recent revision available on the official FLHSMV site.

Additional IRP forms and the full Trucking Manual (Form 85500) are listed on the FLHSMV IRP Forms, User Guides & Tutorials page.

Required Supporting Documents

New accounts and certain changes require specific documentation. Common requirements include:

  • Three proofs of established place of business or Florida residency (required for new accounts or address changes)
  • Proof of vehicle ownership (Florida title number or out-of-state title with VIN verification and lienholder documentation if applicable)
  • Proof of bodily injury/property damage liability insurance with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – typically an ACORD certificate listing FLHSMV-BCVDS as certificate holder
  • Proof of payment of federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (IRS Form 2290 Schedule 1) for vehicles 55,000 pounds GVW or more
  • Copy of lease agreement (if applicable)
  • Record Keeping Agreement (Form 85017) – required for new accounts
  • U.S. DOT number and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
  • Proof of previous registration (unless the vehicle was newly acquired)

For a detailed original applicant checklist, refer to official FLHSMV guidance available through their commercial vehicle services pages.

How to Complete and Submit Form 85900?

Follow these steps for accurate submission:

  1. Download and carefully read the form and related instructions (instructions historically referenced as HSMV 85901).
  2. Type or print legibly in ink. Complete all required fields on Schedules A and B.
  3. Indicate the correct transaction type (Original, Renewal, Add Vehicle, etc.).
  4. Provide accurate actual miles traveled by jurisdiction for the reporting period.
  5. Sign the application as the carrier/account holder.
  6. Assemble all supporting documents and mark them with the account number if available.
  7. Submit by mail to:
    Bureau of Commercial Vehicle and Driver Services
    2900 Apalachee Parkway, Mail Stop 62
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0626

Alternatively, many transactions can be completed through the Interstate Carrier Filing System (ICFS) online. Notarized originals, when required, must be mailed. Customers may also visit the Tallahassee walk-in service center for original applications and certain transactions (call ahead, as wait times can be significant).

Contact the IRP/IFTA Customer Service Center at (850) 617-3711, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, for questions or to confirm documentation requirements.

IRP Registration Period and Fees in Florida

Florida IRP registrations are valid for 12 months under a staggered system (renewal months January through October). Fees are calculated based on miles traveled in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s full-year fee schedule, adjusted for declared weight. An invoice is issued after the application is processed; payment is due upon receipt.

Late renewal penalties apply beginning on the 11th day after expiration, ranging from $5 to $250 depending on the amount of tax due. There is no grace period for enforcement purposes.

Additional Resources and Related Forms

Carriers should also review these official resources:

Always verify the latest forms and requirements on the official FLHSMV website, as procedures and form revisions can change.

Conclusion

Florida HSMV Form 85900 is the essential document for establishing or maintaining IRP registration for commercial vehicles based in Florida. Proper completion, timely submission of supporting documents, and accurate mileage reporting help ensure uninterrupted interstate operations and compliance with both state and multi-jurisdictional requirements.

Download the official form today, gather your documentation, and contact the Bureau of Commercial Vehicle and Driver Services if you need assistance. Operating with valid IRP credentials protects your business and supports safe, legal commercial transportation across North America.

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