Which States Accept In-Cab Electronic Permits and Credentials for Trucking?
posted in Alerts by Brian Gray
Which States Accept In-Cab Electronic Permits and Credentials for Trucking?
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 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.”
What Is The Best Way To Carry Permits and Trucking Credentials Electronically In-Cab?
There is now an app specifically designed for the commercial truck driver. Permit Book is an app that is available in both Android and iOS app stores and is free to download. (Search “permitbook”)
- Permit Book allows the back office to electronically deliver needed documents in seconds to a specific driver, driving a specific truck and pulling a specific trailer.
- The driver is notified of any pending documents, can download and store documents to his/her phone or tablet, all organized in once place and easily viewed with just a tap of the button.
- Once downloaded, these documents can be viewed even when out of cell coverage.
Storing and viewing your permits and documents in the cloud (or on your phone) is just a tap away. Permit Book allows easy reference as documents are stored under category headings such as Company documents, Driver Documents, Truck Documents and Trailer documents.
The driver can easily access and view these documents by logging into the Permit Book mobile application where the documents are cached and made available for display even when off-line or in an area that is out-of-service. As documents expire or change, the back office can easily update with a replacement document.
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. 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
While International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) e-credentialing were requirements of Core ITD, 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 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. The driver must be able to produce the permit on an electronic devise to show enforcement if pulled over.
DE — Must have paper permit, state does not allow electronic hand held devices at all per state law
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
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:
- Temporary Apportioned Vehicle Registration
- Oregon Commercial Registration Cab Card
- Temporary Commercial Vehicle Registration
- 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, but looking to change to electronic in near future
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
