540 CMR 13.00 — International Registration Plan implementation regulations

540 CMR: REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES 540 CMR 13.00:INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN REGULATIONS Section 13.01: Purpose and Scope 13.02: Definitions 13.03: Impact on Reciprocity Agreements 13.04: General Registration Rules for Apportionable Vehicles 13.05: Status of Trailers and Semi-trailers

540 CMR 13.00 International Registration Plan implementation regulations

13.01 Purpose and Scope

13.01: Purpose and Scope Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 90, § 2 and § 31, 540 CMR 13.00 implements the provisions of the International Registration Plan which the Commonwealth joined as of January 1, 1994 and which has most recently been amended effective January 1, 2021 (the Plan). 540 CMR 13.00 applies to the registration of vehicles on a full or apportioned basis as defined under the Plan and M.G.L. c. 90, and to the operation of those vehicles on the ways of the Commonwealth. It shall be construed to advance the expressed fundamental principle of the Plan to promote freedom of vehicle movement to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the Plan and other laws of the Commonwealth

13.02 Definitions

13.02: Definitions The Registrar hereby incorporates by reference all of the definitions of the Plan as they may be administratively or judicially construed, as regulations of the Registrar pursuant to M.G.L. c. 90, §§ 2 and 31. Terms shall have the meaning as defined in the Plan and, unless otherwise defined, any additional terms shall have the meaning indicated in the Plan.

13.03 Impact on Reciprocity Agreements

13.03: Impact on Reciprocity Agreements (1) The Plan is the registration reciprocity agreement applicable to all apportionable vehicles notwithstanding the existence of any prior reciprocity agreements or arrangements between the Commonwealth and any other state or Canadian province. To the extent a conflict exists between the provisions of any such other reciprocity agreements or arrangements, or any provision of M.G.L. c. 90 dealing with the registration of vehicles or the operation on the ways of the Commonwealth of vehicles registered in other Plan member jurisdictions, the terms of the Plan shall prevail.

13.04 General Registration Rules for Apportionable Vehicles

13.04: General Registration Rules for Apportionable Vehicles (1)An apportionable vehicle shall be deemed registered for travel on the ways of the Commonwealth if the vehicle either: (a)is fully registered in the Commonwealth in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90, § 2 and 540 CMR 2.05: Vehicle Registrations Requirements; or (b) is registered under the Plan in a properly designated base jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth is listed on a valid cab card for the vehicle; or (c)is being operated pursuant to a valid trip permit covering the travel in the Commonwealth. (2) To be considered registered for travel on the ways of the Commonwealth, an apportionable vehicle owned by a registrant whose sole established place of business is in the Commonwealth must be either fully registered in the Commonwealth in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90, § 2 and 540 CMR 2.05: Vehicle Registrations Requirements, or the vehicle must be registered under the Plan with the Commonwealth designated as the base jurisdiction. 9/2/22540 CMR - 87 (Mass. Register #1477, 9/2/2022)

540 CMR: REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES

13.05 Status of Trailers and Semi-trailers

13.05: Status of Trailers and Semi-trailers (1) Subject to the provisions of 540 CMR 13.05(2)(a), a trailer or semi-trailer that is being pulled by a power unit bearing a valid Plan apportioned registration plate issued by the Commonwealth, or other Plan member jurisdiction if the Commonwealth is listed on the cab card, or a Plan trip permit for travel in the Commonwealth shall be operable on the ways of the Commonwealth regardless of its state of registration while being so pulled, provided that the trailer bears a valid registration plate. (2) Applicability of Other Laws . (a) Nothing contained in 540 CMR 13.05 shall be deemed to authorize the operation on the ways of the Commonwealth of a trailer or semi-trailer that is inoperable for any reason other than the issue of state of registration of the vehicle. (b) The fact that a trailer or semi-trailer is operable upon the ways of the Commonwealth in the circumstances set forth in 540 CMR 13.05 shall not determine whether such trailer or semi-trailer should be properly registered in the Commonwealth, rather than another jurisdiction; and the Registrar retains the authority to determine the issue of proper registration, after an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with M.G.L. c. 90. (c) The fact that a trailer or semi-trailer is operable upon the ways of the Commonwealth in the circumstances set forth in 540 CMR 13.05 shall have no relevance to or impact on any proceeding for the enforcement of the tax laws, or the payment of non-registration fees or taxes. REGULATORY AUTHORITY 540 CMR 13.00: M.G.L. c. 90, §§ 2 and 31. (PAGES 89 AND 90 ARE RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE.) 3/9/18540 CMR - 88