Q: What are the key advantages of Sunshine State Tag Agency?

A: Key benefits include the following:

• Automate the title and registration process, eliminating costly errors on titles, fee calculations, and incorrect registrations.
• Increase profitability by recovering the complete cost of title and registration process.
• Reduces costly storage fees for paperwork and tags.
• One Point of contact provides accountability and eliminates the inconvenience of working with multiple county agencies.

Q: How long has Sunshine State Tag Agency been providing private tag agency services?

A: Sunshine State Tag Agency (SSTA), was founded in 1988 with a vision of becoming the largest private tag agency in the State of Florida. With coordination between the rental car companies, the Tax Collector and the State of Florida, Sunshine State Tag Agency was able to develop an automated system that expedited the communication and transfer of data between the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and SSTA. Today, with three-quarters of a million transactions processed annually, SSTA has become the largest private tag agency in Florida.

With Sunshine State Tag Agency's corporate and branch offices located in Florida and an increased demand to expand into other states, our Arizona office was opened in 1995 and is a authorized 3rd party provider with the State of Arizona. Under the brand of Auto Tag of America, we are a fully licensed and bonded facility handling ALL types of registration and title transactions. We also have an office in Texas that is bonded and insured as a title service company.

Q: How do I get more information about Sunshine State Tag Agency's services?

A: For more information, please call us at 1-866-739-8841. One of our representatives would be glad to address your particular situation and discuss how we can provide value-added solutions to your organization. 

Q:What is the International Registration Plan (IRP) and what are the requirements?

A The International Registration Plan (IRP) is a reciprocal agreement that authorizes the proportional registration among the states of commercial motor vehicles. This means if a truck is operated in multiple states, the owner must annually report mileage driven in each state and taxes are paid proportionately based on the mileage driven. The good news is the owner may pay those taxes in one state— referred to as the base state.
 
Owners are required to register under IRP if :

• the vehicle is over 26,000 GVW;
• or has three or more axles,
  regardless of weight;
• or is a power unit and trailer whose combined GVW is in excess of 26,000 pounds,

and your truck is part of a declared fleet that operates in Florida and at least one other IRP jurisdiction.

Q. What vehicles are exempt from IRP registration?

A: Government owned vehicles; city pick-up or delivery vehicles; buses used for chartered parties; recreational vehicles (a vehicle used for personal pleasure or travel); vehicles operating with restricted license plates; and vehicles operating intrastate miles only.

Q.    How do I register under the International Registration Plan?

A: Complete an "IRP, Florida Application", Schedule A & B (Form 85900). All applications must be typed or printed in ink and must be completely filled out. An original application must be completed on each of the carrier's fleets. Please attach additional documentation as requested on the application.

Q. What is a temporary operational permit? How can I get one and how much does it cost?

A: A temporary operation permit (TOP) is a 60-day temporary authorization to operate your truck under the International Registration Plan (IRP). You must declare a gross vehicle weight for each state you plan to operate in during the 60-day period. You are only qualified to obtain a TOP if one of the following applies:

• You are titling your truck in Florida and seek registration under the IRP.
• You are turning in your regular Florida plate and are applying for an IRP plate.
• You are already registered under the IRP and need to increase your gross vehicle weight for one or more IRP jurisdictions.
• You are already registered under the IRP and want to transfer the IRP plate from a disposed of vehicle to a newly acquired vehicle.
• Your IRP plate has been lost or stolen.

Q. I have a regular Florida plate on my truck and have never done any business outside the state of Florida. I now want to take my truck into other states and do business and keep my Florida plate. What do I need in the other states? 

A: If your truck and the trailer it is pulling (including the trailer’s cargo), weigh more than 26,000 pounds, or if your power unit has three or more axles, you are required to comply with the International Registration Plan (IRP) and the fuel use tax regulations of the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). You can comply and keep your regular Florida plate by purchasing a 10-day IRP trip permit for each state you want to operate in. This can become very costly, so if you intend to make frequent trips outside the state of Florida, it might be more economical to apportion your truck (register under IRP). You can do this by turning your regular Florida plate in and purchasing an IRP plate, through our office at 2820 54th Ave. South St Petersburg FL 33712 or dial 941-739-8841 x444.

Q. What is the expiration date and renewal period for IRP license plates?

A: Florida is now under a staggered IRP renewal system. This means that your IRP license plate expires at midnight on the last day of the month indicated on the plate. Enforcement begins at 12:01 a.m. the first day of the next month. There is no grace period under the staggered renewal system. The specific month for your renewal will be determined and assigned by the Bureau of Motor Carrier Services.