The state of Illinois has ruled that Schneider National doesn’t have to pay more than $10.7 million in trailer fees and penalties assessed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

California is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP) and, for years, was one of the few jurisdictions allowed to collect registration fees on trailers as well as tractors. IRP voted to eliminate trailer fees in 1999 but California didn’t make the required change until January 2002.
In 2002 it assessed Schneider with more than $6 million in additional apportioned trailer fees, penalties and interest. The carrier paid the funds to its base jurisdictions -- Wisconsin and Illinois -- but filed appeals with both states. California’s response was to issue a revised assessment for more than $10.7 million.
Wisconsin ruled in 2002 that the fees in escrow should be refunded to Schneider. In late February Illinois took the same stance, finding that the California assessments were improper.
Schneider General Counsel Thomas Vandenberg called the Illinois decision "a victory for the entire trucking industry, as it preserves the integrity of the IRP."