Section 13 of 38
Chapter 12: Nonresident Vehicles
12.035 Commercial Vehicles (VC §6852)
Reciprocity Granted—The nonresident owner of a foreign commercial vehicle is granted the same privileges and freedom from registration and payment of fees imposed by the Vehicle Code (VC) as the foreign jurisdiction in which the vehicle is registered/licensed grants to like vehicles registered under this code or as provided in reciprocity agreements, arrangements, or declarations made commencing with VC §8000.
Reciprocity between California and other states is based upon:
- Agreements and arrangements completed between the Reciprocity Commission or the International Registration Plan Agreement and authorized representatives of other states.
- Declarations by the Reciprocity Commission.
The conditions of reciprocity are indicated in the following chart.
| If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a |
The Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Commercial vehicle from a state which does not have interstate reciprocity |
Is subject to fees from the date of entry |
| Commercial vehicle that operates interstate |
Is subject to registration in California. Exception: Vehicles base-plated in Hawaii. |
| Commercial vehicle from a state with which California has interstate reciprocity |
May enter California and be parked without fees becoming due. Any subsequent interstate operation causes fees to be due immediately. Exception: Vehicles base-plated in Hawaii. |
| Commercial vehicle registered as an automobile in the owner’s home state |
• Is to be treated as an automobile for the purpose of determining when registration is required. • Would not be always subject to fees due on the date of entry. Many states register pickups as autos, not as commercial vehicles, and, in most cases, fees will be due on the date of residency. |
| Commercial vehicle registered as an automobile in the owner’s home state |
• Is to be treated as an automobile for the purpose of determining when registration is required. • Would not be always subject to fees due on the date of entry. Many states register pickups as autos, not as commercial vehicles, and, in most cases, fees will be due on the date of residency. |
| Recreational vehicle |
Is to be treated as an automobile for the purpose of determining when registration is required even if the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle in the home state. |
| Station wagon |
Is to be treated as a noncommercial vehicle for the purpose of determining when registration is required even if the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle in the home state. |
| Commercial vehicle base-plated in Mexico or Newfoundland |
Must obtain full-year registration (VC §9711). Interstate registration may be issued in conjunction with full-year registration. Note: Mexico and Newfoundland do not have reciprocity agreements with California. |