Missouri trucking requirements for hot shot & box truck operators

Qualified trucks based in Missouri need IRP apportioned plates and an IFTA license from Missouri. It has no separate weight-distance tax.

What a small carrier based in or running through Missouri (MO) should check, with links to official sources.

Fuel tax & registration

IFTA: qualified motor vehicles (two axles and over 26,000 lb, three or more axles, or combination over 26,000 lb) based in Missouri that travel to other member jurisdictions get an IFTA license and decals from Missouri and file quarterly fuel-tax returns. Find the Missouri contact in the IFTA jurisdiction directory.

IRP: apportioned plates for the same qualified vehicles are issued by Missouri as your base jurisdiction. See the IRP jurisdiction contacts.

Weight-distance taxes

Missouri is not one of the four states with a separate weight-distance tax (Kentucky, New Mexico, New York, Oregon).

Size & weight

On the Interstate System, federal law caps gross vehicle weight at 80,000 lb, 20,000 lb single axle and 34,000 lb tandem (23 CFR 658.17), subject to grandfathered state exceptions. Missouri sets limits on other roads and issues oversize/overweight permits – see FHWA state permit contacts.

Federal registrations

Interstate carriers need a USDOT number and, if for-hire, MC authority, BOC-3 and UCR – use our authority & insurance checker. Intrastate rules vary; contact Missouri through the FMCSA field office and the Missouri DOT.

Look up a Missouri carrier

Use the DOT/MC lookup to check any carrier or broker partner.