
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC31701]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
                           PART B--COMMERCIAL
 
   CHAPTER 317--PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN AND 
                    INTERNATIONAL FUEL TAX AGREEMENT
 
Sec. 31701. Definitions

    In this chapter--
        (1) ``commercial motor vehicle'', with respect to--
            (A) the International Registration Plan, has the same 
        meaning given the term ``apportionable vehicle'' under the Plan; 
        and
            (B) the International Fuel Tax Agreement, has the same 
        meaning given the term ``qualified motor vehicle'' under the 
        Agreement.

        (2) ``fuel use tax'' means a tax imposed on or measured by the 
    consumption of fuel in a motor vehicle.
        (3) ``International Fuel Tax Agreement'' means the interstate 
    agreement on collecting and distributing fuel use taxes paid by 
    motor carriers, developed under the auspices of the National 
    Governors' Association.
        (4) ``International Registration Plan'' means the interstate 
    agreement on apportioning vehicle registration fees paid by motor 
    carriers, developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle 
    Administrators.
        (5) ``Regional Fuel Tax Agreement'' means the interstate 
    agreement on collecting and distributing fuel use taxes paid by 
    motor carriers in the States of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
        (6) ``State'' means the 48 contiguous States and the District of 
    Columbia.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1031.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
31701.................................  49:11506 (note).                 Dec. 1
8, 1991, Pub. L. 102-240, Sec.
                                                                          4008(
k), 105 Stat. 2155.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

                          Operation of Trailers

    Pub. L. 105-277, div. C, title I, Sec. 109, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 
2681-586, provided that:
    ``(a) Registration of Trailers.--A State that requires annual 
registration of container chassis and the apportionment of fees for such 
registrations in accordance with the International Registration Plan (as 
defined under section 31701 of title 49, United States Code) shall not 
limit the operation, or require the registration, in the State of a 
container chassis (or impose fines or penalties on the operation of a 
container chassis for being operated in the State without a registration 
issued by the State) if such chassis--
        ``(1) is registered under the laws of another State; and
        ``(2) is operating under a trip permit issued by the State.
    ``(b) Limitation on Registration of Trailers.--A State described in 
subsection (a) may not deny the use of trip permits for the operation in 
the State of a container chassis that is registered under the laws of 
another State.
    ``(c) Safety Regulation.--This section shall apply to registration 
requirements only and shall not affect the ability of the State to 
regulate for safety.
    ``(d) Penalties.--No State described in subsection (a), political 
subdivision of such a State, or person may impose or collect any fee, 
penalty, fine, or other form of damages which is based in whole or in 
part upon the nonpayment of a State registration fee (including related 
weight and licensing fees assessed as part of registration) attributable 
to a container chassis operated in the State (and registered in another 
State) before the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998], unless 
it is shown by the State, political subdivision, or person that such 
container chassis was not operated in the State under a trip permit 
issued by the State.
    ``(e) Container Chassis Defined.--In this section, the term 
`container chassis' means a trailer, semi-trailer, or auxiliary axle 
used exclusively for the transportation of ocean shipping containers.''
