Learning about interstate and intrastate trucking can help trucking companies determine which they would like to operate. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, and knowledge of both is crucial for success in the trucking industry. Many carriers utilize interstate trucking, although some prefer intrastate, and others juggle both. The distance is driven, whether or not state lines are crossed, truck type, and cargo type are all different between interstate and intrastate trucking.
Seven Key Differences Between Interstate and Intrastate Trucking: Overview
Interstate and intrastate trucking have differences in restrictions, registration requirements, truck types, RFTA and IRP compliance, mileage, and fuel records. Keep reading about interstate and intrastate trucking methods' differences, advantages, and disadvantages.
- Interstate Trucking Ships Across State Lines
- Intrastate Trucking Ships Only Within a Single State
- Restrictions and Registration Requirements
- Different Types of Trucks
- IFTA and IRP compliance
- Mileage Records
- Fuel Records
Interstate Trucking Ships Across State Lines
With interstate commerce, truckers carry loads across different states or country lines from their location of origin. If a load passes through state borders despite returning to the state it shipped out from, it will still be considered interstate.
Intrastate trucking ships Only Within a Single State
Truck drivers haul intrastate commerce within a single state, making it an ideal option for companies moving trade for short distances.
Restrictions and Registration Requirements
Interstate and intrastate shipments require different restrictions and registrations because commerce is either being shipped in the same state or will cross state or country lines.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
According to the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), commerce hauled over state or country lines will be classified as interstate commerce. For instance, suppose a load has an origin state of Oklahoma and traveled to Texas. Although a carrier's vehicle did not leave the state of origin, the commerce still gets classified as interstate.
Carriers registered as interstate must have a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and a motor carrier (MC) number. If a carrier is registered as intrastate, they typically will only need to obtain a USDOT number. However, if it is a for-hire carrier, they will need to have a USDOT and an MC number.
Businesses that ship short, intrastate hauls typically do not need to follow FMCSA regulations (FMCSRs) to the same extent as those shipping long, interstate hauls.
Shippers moving interstate and intrastate commerce have different Hours of Service Regulations.
The FMCSA's Hours of Service Regulations determine that interstate drivers must take ten consecutive off-duty hours before beginning their shift on the road. In addition, a driver with a 14-hour change must take a break every 8 hours and cannot be on the road for 11 consecutive hours.
With interstate shipping, carriers must check with their state or compliance specialist to determine if they meet the required regulations in their shipping areas.
Interstate-for-hire carriers transporting commerce, passengers, or private property carriers must have Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). Interstate shippers can register for UCR from October 1st until December 31st each year, and any carrier shipping interstate must register.
Whether shippers are transporting interstate or intrastate commerce, they must follow the FMCSA's CDL provisions, comply with the interstate operating authority and meet the insurance requirements, complete necessary drug and alcohol testing, and comply with driver training requirements.
Different Types of Trucks
Depending on whether commerce is being transported via interstate or intrastate for long or short hauls, different trailer types are likely to be implemented. Evaluating which trailers you will help determine whether you will most likely be using interstate or intrastate shipping.
What Types of Trucks Are Used For Interstate Trucking?
Interstate shipping typically implements trailers that can be used for long-hauls. Examples of commonly-used trailer types for interstate shipping include:
- Refrigerated trailers or reefers
- Dry vans
- Tankers
- Flat-bed trailers
- Semi-trucks
What Types of Trucks Are Used For Intrastate Trucking?
Intrastate shipping is used for any commerce being shipped within its state of origin. Examples of commercial vehicles that require a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate but can be driven with intrastate shipping include:
- Concrete mixing trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Tow trucks
- Dump trucks
IFTA and IRP Compliance
Registration with International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and International Registration Plate (IRP) is necessary for interstate carriers in the U.S. and Canada. IFTA collects taxes on fuel mileage, and IRP sets requirements for registration paperwork. Both allow carriers to file and pay within a single state but still cross state lines.
If commerce leaves its state of origin, even if a carrier's vehicle remains in a single condition, it would still be classified as interstate trucking by the FMCSA. In this case, the shipper must register under the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) because their commerce is interstate. However, because their vehicle did not leave the state of origin, they would not need to register with IFTA or IRP. It is only in the case that a carrier's commerce and vehicle both leave the state of origin that carriers must write with the UCR, IFTA, and IRP.
Unlike the FMCSA, the IFTA and IRP define carriers as interstate if their trucks travel outside the origin state, not solely if their cargo travels outside of state bounds. Vehicles qualified by the IFTA and IRP have a power unit, two axles, and a registered gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds. They will also be eligible for vehicles with a combined weight of 26,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight.
Mileage Records
The IFTA and IRP require carriers to keep track of mileage and fuel records to ensure they comply with restrictions and registration requirements.
Electronic Mileage Records
A vehicle's GPS unit or electronic logging device can obtain electronic mileage records. Electronic mileage records must include:
- Original GPS data
- The date, time, and location of the original GPS data
- The amount of time between GPS data readings
- Odometer, hubometer, or ECM data readings
- Each travel route
- The distance of each trip and the distance in each state or area
- The vehicle's unit number or ID number
Paper Mileage Records
Paper mileage records must include:
- The trip's starting location and final destination
- The travel route
- The dates of the transportation process
- Odometer, hubometer, or ECM data readings
- The trip distance in total
- The distance of each trip and the distance in each state or area
- The vehicle's unit number or ID number
Fuel Records
The IFTA requires that carriers keep track of their fuel records on paper or electronically, such as using a fuel card vendor. This allows for tracking total fuel spending. A carrier's fuel record must include:
- The date fuel was purchased
- The seller's name and address
- The number of gallons that were purchased
- The total price per gallon
- The sale amount
- The buyer's name and address
- The type of fuel that was purchased
- The vehicle number
Bottom Line
Suppose you are looking for a logistics provider that can provide — and help you navigate — interstate and intrastate shipping. In that case, RPM offers transportation services for vehicles and freight that span various industries. We are in a more than 30,000 trusted carriers network to fulfill and streamline your transportation needs.
Are you interested in interstate and intrastate shipping? Visit our website today.
Sources:
Intrastate vs. Interstate: The Subtle Differences That Matter for Motor Carriers | Freight Waves
The Top 2 Challenges of Drug and Alcohol Compliance Freight Waves
What Is The Difference Between Interstate and Intrastate In Trucking? | Motor Carrier HQ
FMCSA Regulations and Interpretations | FMCSA
Summary of Hours of Service Regulations | FMCSA
How To Build a Driver Training Program That Minimizes Risk, Maximizes Productivity | Freight Waves
