Roadside Legality

 

Which States Accept In-Cab Electronic Permits And Credentials For Trucking?

This list is continued to be updated, although some data may be a year or two old.

Using paper for truck permitting has always been burdensome.  Getting the paper document, making sure it gets to the right truck, and is replaced when lost or expired can get complex.  A mistake can result in a citation or worse.  In today’s electronic world, paper is a bottleneck to efficiency and increases costs.   Government is always behind when it comes to using technology to streamline processes and reduce costs but more and more States are allowing drivers to use their cellphones, tablets and laptops to eliminate paper and electronically present their in-cab motor carrier credentials to roadside inspectors and state patrol officers.

According to Dave Gray, President of Glostone Trucking Solutions “Electronic permits and electronic credentials are here to stay no matter how behind a State may be with their individual acceptance.   States will be forced into acceptance or face grinding their economy to a halt.  Today, you can board an airplane using your phone as a boarding pass.  Experiments are already underway to issue driver’s license electronically as well.  Everywhere there is a paper document, there’s an opportunity to replace it with a cheaper, faster, even more secure electronic version.”

IFTA/IRP Electronic Credentials

As of January 1, 2019, all US States and Canadian Provinces are required to accept electronic images of IRP cab cards and IFTA licenses, with Alaska and Hawaii being exempt from this requirement. For the first year, it is advised that drivers continue to carry paper credentials in order to provide time for all involved to work out the details of this new program.

We strongly suggest that the document be stored as a PDF on an electronic device in each vehicle, to ensure access to documentation while in areas of no service or WiFi. Our Permit Book app will do this for you! If you are unable to provide proof of credentials, you may be ticketed and required to present proof of registration to a court of law.

Oversize/Overweight Permitting

Industry and State personnel are interested in electronic support for other permitting. Oversize and overweight (OS/OW) loads are special case shipments that exceed the operational parameters defined by the State. The correct routing of these shipments makes sure that mobility, safety, and security concerns are addressed.

Many states are now allowing drivers to carry and display oversize load permits electronically on screens seven-inches or larger, instead of having to carry paper copies. Some smart phones and most tablets meet the seven-inch screen requirement.

In Which States Is Electronic Credentialing Legal?

Until universal acceptance of electronic permits and credentials is achieved, drivers and fleets should be aware of the state regulations that specify if in-cab electronic credentials is allowed, and on what size of device. This guide will continue to be updated, however some data may be a year or two old.  Transitioning to electronic credentials makes sense but perhaps only as a back up to traditional paper as regulations and law enforcement in your particular area catches up.

Below is the breakdown of where each state sits on electronic versus paper permits:

This list is continued to be updated, although some data may be a year or two old.

AL — Must have a paper permit

AK — Must be able to show permit regardless of service area or will be considered to have no permit

AZ — Signed paper copy only, no plans to change

AR — Electronic permits allowed on seven-inch screen or larger

CA — Paper copy only at this time. CA currently does not legally accept electronic permits or provisions. Many officers across the country are relaxing their position even though no legal guidelines have been set in most states. Please proceed with caution in CA.

CO — Electronic permit allowed, no minimum screen size

CT — Electronic verification of permit is acceptable.

DE — Must have paper permit

FL — Electronic permits are allowed with no minimum screen size, although blanket permits must be a paper copy

GA — Allow for electronic display of single trip permits

HI – Must have paper permit

ID – As of 2018, drivers could carry their permits electronically. Temporary registrations/fuel permits still need to be hardcopy and displayed.

IL — Electronic permits are acceptable on smart phone, tablet or computer

IN — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen minimum requirements

IA — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen minimum requirements

KS — State law says paper permits only, however some highway patrol will accept electronic permits with permit number

KY — Law reads must have a copy but if pulled over they will accept an electronic copy.

LA — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen minimum requirements

MA — Must have paper permit

ME — Must have paper permit

MD — Electronic permits acceptable on smart phone or tablet.

MI — Electronic permits are acceptable

MN – Electronic permits are acceptable, must be readable, no screen requirement noted

MS — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

MO — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement. Calling enforcement office, inspector said as long as the document is readable. Usually this applies to OS/OW permits, cab cards, and IFTA license.

MT — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

NE — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

NV — Must have paper permit

NH — Electronic permits are acceptable if permit can be signed electronically only

NJ — Paper copy recommended

NM — Electronic permits are acceptable

NY — Must have paper permit

NY THRU — Must have paper permit

NC — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

ND — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

OH — Must have paper permit

OK — Must have paper permit

OR — Beginning January 1, 2019, motor carriers may carry an electronic version of the following credentials in their vehicles:

  • + Apportioned Registration Cab Card (IRP)
  • + Temporary Apportioned Vehicle Registration
  • + Oregon Commercial Registration Cab Card
  • + Temporary Commercial Vehicle Registration
  • + International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) License
  • + Temporary IFTA Decal Permit
  • + Oregon Weight Receipt and Tax Identifier
  • + Temporary Oregon Weight Receipt and Tax Identifier
  • + Single-Trip Oversize/Overweight Permit

PA — Must have paper permit

RI — Up to officer’s discretion, it is advised to carry paper even with electronic permit

SC — Must have paper permit

SD — Must have paper permit

TN — Electronic permits are acceptable

TX — Up to law enforcement’s discretion, paper copy is still recommended. From an oversized permit stand point per TAC,  if a permit can be delivered electronically then it can be displayed electronically, however if the permit has to be mailed to you than it must be displayed in its original form.

UT – Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

VT — Electronic permits are acceptable, no screen size or device requirement

VA — Electronic permits are acceptable

WA — Electronic permits are acceptable

WV — Electronic permits acceptable on smart phone or tablet.

WI — Must have paper permit, farmers can show their no cost permits electronically

WY — Must have paper permit