Permit Requirements for Interstate vs Intrastate Carriers

Dec. 20, 2025, 5:03 p.m.
Interstate vs. Intrastate Carriers: What’s the Difference? Interstate carriers Operate across state lines or transport freight for hire that crosses state borders. Must comply with federal and state-level regulations designed for multi-state operations. Intrastate carriers Operate only within New Mexico. Must meet state-specific requirements but are generally exempt from some federal interstate registrations.
Permit Requirements in New Mexico

Key Regulatory & Permit Requirements

1. Registration and Authority

Interstate Carriers:

  • Must register under the federal International Registration Plan (IRP) if operating across state lines — apportioned plates are issued so fees are shared among jurisdictions. 

  • Must also get a U.S. DOT Number and, often, an MC Number from FMCSA if transporting freight for hire. 

  • May need a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) based on fleet size. 

  • Often need an International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) license for fuel reporting in multiple states. 

Intrastate Carriers:

  • Must register with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to get authority to operate within the state.

    • PRC issues a “warrant” certificate or a specific intrastate authority depending on carrier type.

  • Do not need IRP plates or IFTA if they stay entirely within New Mexico. 

2. Weight-Distance Permits & Tax

Both interstate and intrastate commercial motor vehicles with a declared gross weight over 26,000 pounds must obtain a New Mexico Weight-Distance Permit and pay associated tax.

  • This permit is tied to the weight-distance tax, which must be filed quarterly based on miles traveled in the state. 

  • Weight-Distance Permits apply regardless of whether trips are only intrastate or part of interstate routes.

3. Oversize/Overweight Permits

Both types of carriers must obtain oversize/overweight permits from the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police or at ports of entry whenever loads exceed state size and weight limits. 

Key points:

  • Permits are required before transporting loads exceeding size or weight limits set in state law. 

  • Permits may be single-trip, multiple county, or statewide (annual) depending on needs. 

  • All vehicles may be stopped at ports of entry for compliance checks, regardless of interstate or intrastate status. 

4. Compliance & Enforcement

Intrastate Carriers:

  • Must comply with New Mexico vehicle safety, insurance, and permit requirements.

  • Insurance proof (minimum liability) is required for oversize/overweight permits. 

Interstate Carriers:

  • Must meet all intrastate obligations plus federal FMCSA standards (such as hours-of-service, vehicle inspections, driver qualifications, and more). 

Practical Differences Summarized

Requirement Intrastate Interstate
IRP Registration  Not required  Required
IFTA License  Not required  Required
WDT Permit & Tax  Yes  Yes
Oversize/Overweight Permits  Yes  Yes
FMCSA Authority  Not required for purely intrastate  Required
Port of Entry Stops  Yes  Yes

In Simple Terms

  • Intrastate carriers need state permits and PRC authority but not federal interstate registrations.  

  • Interstate carriers need both state permits and applicable federal registrations (IRP, IFTA, DOT/MC numbers, UCR, etc.). 

  • All carriers hauling heavy or oversize loads must get proper permits and pay the weight-distance tax.  

 

https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/commercial/resources-and-information/