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Form a Business

G.S. ch. 20, art. 1A

G.S. ch. 20, art. 1A
in effect

G.S. 20-4.1 Declaration of policy.

§ 20-4.1.  Declaration of policy. It is the policy of this State to promote and encourage the fullest possible use of its highway system by authorizing the making and execution of motor vehicle reciprocal registration agreements, arrangements and declarations with other states, provinces, territories and countries with respect to vehicles registered in this and such other states, provinces, territories and countries thus contributing to the economic and social development and growth of this State. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.2 Definitions.

§ 20-4.2.  Definitions. As used in this Article: (1) "Commercial vehicle" means any vehicle which is operated in furtherance of any commercial enterprise. (2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of North Carolina. (3) "Division" means the Division of Motor Vehicles of North Carolina. (4) "Jurisdiction" means and includes a state, district, territory or possession of the United States, a foreign country and a state or province of a foreign country. (5) "Properly registered," as applied to place of registration,  means: a. The jurisdiction where the person registering the vehicle has his legal residence, or b. In the case of a commercial vehicle, including a leased vehicle, the jurisdiction in which it is registered if the commercial enterprise in which such vehicle is used has a place of business therein, and, if the vehicle is most frequently dispatched, garaged, serviced, maintained, operated or otherwise controlled in or from such place of business, and, the vehicle has been assigned to such place of business, or c. In the case of a commercial vehicle, including leased vehicles, the jurisdiction where, because of an agreement or arrangement between two or more jurisdictions, or pursuant to a declaration, the vehicle has been registered as required by said jurisdiction. d. In case of doubt or dispute as to the proper place of registration of a vehicle, the Division shall make the final determination, but in making such determination, may confer with departments of the other jurisdictions affected. (1961, c. 642, s. 1; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 470, s. 2.)

G.S. 20-4.3 Commissioner may make reciprocity agreements, arrangements or declarations.

§ 20-4.3.  Commissioner may make reciprocity agreements, arrangements or declarations. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall have the authority to execute or make agreements, arrangements or declarations to carry out the provisions of this Article. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.4 Authority for reciprocity agreements; provisions; reciprocity standards.

§ 20-4.4.  Authority for reciprocity agreements; provisions; reciprocity standards. (a) The Commissioner may enter into an agreement or arrangement for interstate or intrastate operations with the duly authorized representatives of another jurisdiction, granting to vehicles or to owners of vehicles which are properly registered or licensed in such jurisdiction and for which evidence of compliance is supplied, benefits, privileges and exemptions from the payment, wholly or partially, of any taxes, fees, or other charges imposed upon such vehicles or owners with respect to the operation or ownership of such vehicles under the laws of this State. Such an agreement or arrangement shall provide that vehicles properly registered or licensed in this State when operated upon highways of such other jurisdiction shall receive exemptions, benefits and privileges of a similar kind or to a similar degree as are extended to vehicles properly registered or licensed in such jurisdiction when operated in this State. Each such agreement or arrangement shall, in the judgment of the Commissioner, be in the best interest of this State and the citizens thereof and shall be fair and equitable to this State and the citizens thereof, and all of the same shall be determined on the basis and recognition of the benefits which accrue to the economy of this State from the uninterrupted flow of commerce. (b) When the Commissioner enters into a reciprocal registration agreement or arrangement with another jurisdiction which has a motor vehicle tax, license or fee which is not subject to waiver by a reciprocity agreement, the Commissioner is empowered and authorized to provide as a condition of the agreement or arrangement that owners of vehicles licensed in such other jurisdiction shall pay some equalizing tax or fee to the Division. The failure of any owner or operator of a vehicle to pay the taxes or fees provided in the agreement or arrangement shall prohibit them from receiving any benefits therefrom and they shall be required to register their vehicles and pay taxes as if there was no agreement or arrangement. (1961, c. 642, s. 1; 1971, c. 588; 1975, c. 716, s. 5.)

G.S. 20-4.5 Base-state registration reciprocity.

§ 20-4.5.  Base-state registration reciprocity. An agreement or arrangement entered into, or a declaration issued under the authority of this Article may contain provisions authorizing the registration or licensing in another jurisdiction of vehicles located in or operated from a base in such other jurisdiction which vehicles otherwise would be required to be registered or licensed in some other state; and in such event the exemptions, benefits and privileges extended by such agreement, arrangement or declaration shall apply to such vehicles, when properly licensed or registered in such base jurisdiction. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.7 Extension of reciprocal privileges to lessees authorized.

§ 20-4.7.  Extension of reciprocal privileges to lessees authorized. An agreement or arrangement entered into, or a declaration issued under the authority of this Article, may contain provisions under which a leased vehicle properly registered by the lessor thereof may be entitled, subject to terms and conditions stated therein, to the exemptions, benefits and privileges extended by such agreement, arrangement or declaration. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.8 Automatic reciprocity, when.

§ 20-4.8.  Automatic reciprocity, when. On and after July 1, 1961, if no agreement, arrangement or declaration is in effect with respect to another jurisdiction as authorized by this Article, any vehicle properly registered or licensed in such other jurisdiction and for which evidence of compliance supplied shall receive, when operated in this State, the same exemptions, benefits and privileges granted by such other jurisdiction to vehicles properly registered in this State. Reciprocity extended under this section shall apply to commercial vehicles only when engaged exclusively in interstate operations. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.9 Suspension of reciprocity benefits.

§ 20-4.9.  Suspension of reciprocity benefits. Agreements, arrangements or declarations made under the authority of this Article may include provisions authorizing the Division to suspend or cancel the exemptions, benefits or privileges granted thereunder to a vehicle which is in violation of any of the conditions or terms of such agreements, arrangements or declarations or is in violation of the laws of this State relating to motor vehicles or rules and regulations lawfully promulgated thereunder. (1961, c. 642, s. 1; 1975, c. 716, s. 5.)

G.S. 20-4.10 Agreements to be written, filed and available for distribution.

§ 20-4.10.  Agreements to be written, filed and available for distribution. All agreements, arrangements or declarations or amendments thereto shall be in writing and shall be filed in the office of the Commissioner. Copies thereof shall be made available by the Commissioner upon request and upon payment of a fee therefor in an amount necessary to defray the costs of reproduction thereof. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.11 Reciprocity agreements in effect at time of Article.

§ 20-4.11.  Reciprocity agreements in effect at time of Article. All reciprocity registration agreements, arrangements and  declarations relating to vehicles in force and effect July 1, 1961, shall continue in force and effect until specifically amended or revoked as provided by law or by such agreements or arrangements. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)

G.S. 20-4.12 Article part of and supplemental to motor vehicle registration law.

§ 20-4.12.  Article part of and supplemental to motor vehicle registration law. This Article shall be, and construed as, a part of and supplemental to the motor vehicle registration law of this State. (1961, c. 642, s. 1.)
Source: North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov)URL: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_20.htmlFetched: 10/19/2026

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