By Haul Handbook editorial team· Updated Oct 6, 2026
Virginia DMV sells 10-day trip permits for vehicles subject to IRP or IFTA that are not registered under those programs. The IRP trip permit costs $15, the IFTA (motor fuel road tax) trip permit costs $20, and a combined permit covering both costs $35. You apply by faxing or emailing form MCTS-271 to DMV Motor Carrier Services, or through a permit service, which adds its own fee.
The trip permit (registration side)
This credential answers for registration. Without it, a vehicle whose cab card does not list Virginia has no legal registration standing in the state.
- Fee
- $15 ($15 per permit, plus the service fee if you buy through a permit service. A combined IRP and IFTA trip permit costs $35.)
- Who needs it
- Any vehicle subject to IRP that is not registered under IRP for Virginia travel. Permits are vehicle specific, so the application asks for the plate, VIN, year, make and model of the truck the permit will cover.
- Where to buy
- Fax or email a completed Application for Virginia IRP and/or Fuel Trip Permit (MCTS-271) to DMV Motor Carrier Services: fax (804) 367-1073, email iftairp@dmv.virginia.gov; Pay by check or money order made out to DMV, or ask a Motor Carrier Services representative to call you for a credit card or e-check payment. DMV does not take card numbers by mail or email.; Or call one of the permit services DMV lists on its Apply for a Trip Permit page; each adds its own service fee
The fuel permit (tax side)
This credential answers for the state's highway or fuel tax when there is no IFTA license (or, in the weight-distance states, no tax account) behind the truck.
- Fee
- $20 ($20 per permit, plus the service fee if you buy through a permit service. Bought together with the IRP trip permit, the combined permit costs $35.)
- Who needs it
- Any vehicle subject to IFTA that is not licensed under IFTA, for travel in Virginia. The permit covers one named vehicle.
- Where to buy
- Fax or email a completed Application for Virginia IRP and/or Fuel Trip Permit (MCTS-271) to DMV Motor Carrier Services: fax (804) 367-1073, email iftairp@dmv.virginia.gov; Pay by check or money order made out to DMV, or ask a Motor Carrier Services representative to call you for a credit card or e-check payment. DMV does not take card numbers by mail or email.; Or call one of the permit services DMV lists on its Apply for a Trip Permit page; each adds its own service fee
Other temporary permits in Virginia
Short-term credentials Virginia issues beside the trip and fuel permits, for situations those two do not cover.
Worth knowing
Virginia trip permits are vehicle specific, so each truck needs its own. The state charges the same $15, $20 or $35 whichever way you apply; anything a permit service quotes above that is its service fee.
Where these fit in the Virginia permit stack
Temporary permits are the exception path. The standing credentials they replace are IRP apportioned registration and the Virginia IFTA license. Oversize loads use a different permit family entirely, covered in Virginia oversize and overweight permits, and the full picture of every state permit lives in Virginia trucking permits.