I found that Texas actually has a consolidated list of reciprocal agreements by state. It covers licensing, registration, and equipment rules--for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles and operators. The listings are similar, but not identical. For instance, dealers and manufacturers in Alabama have reciprocity with Texas, but dealers and manufacturers in Alaska do not.
Here's Alabama's listing as an example:
ALABAMA
Motor Vehicle Division
P. O. Box 327620
Montgomery, Alabama 36132-7620
Tel. (334) 242-9000
(Member of the International Registration Plan)
PRIVATE PASSENGER AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Visitors may operate under Alabama plates for the length of time the plates are valid.
Establishment of domicile or temporary place of abode, or gainful employment for 30 days is
deemed residence and requires immediate registration. No reciprocity to salesmen while using
the vehicle to transport or deliver merchandise.
TRUCKS, TRUCK TRACTORS
Any vehicle, except recreational vehicles, vehicles displaying restricted plates, city pick up and
delivery vehicles, buses used in transportation of chartered parties, and government-owned
vehicles, used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions that allocate or
proportionally register vehicles and is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed,
used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and:
1. is a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle
weight in excess of 26,000 pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms; or
2. is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
3. is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 lbs. or
11,793.401 kilograms gross vehicle weight
must be apportionally registered with Texas prior to entering Texas. Each such vehicle, as
proof of being apportionally registered, must have a cab card in the vehicle reflecting that
apportion fees have been paid to Texas; and the vehicle must have been issued an Apportioned
License Plate. Apportionally registered vehicles are granted full interstate and intrastate
reciprocity.
Trucks and truck tractors, and combinations of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000
pounds or 11,793.401 kilograms or less, and buses used in transportation of chartered parties
may be proportionally registered at the option of the registrant.
NON-APPORTIONABLE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ARE GRANTED FULL INTERSTATE
RECIPROCITY.
Common and contract carriers, otherwise known as โfor hireโ carriers, must secure a permit
from the Texas Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Division and the Public Service
Commission of Alabama.
TRAILER AND SEMITRAILERS
Full reciprocity.
DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS
Operation under Alabama dealer plates is allowed when used by dealers and manufacturers for
movement of their own cars from factory to dealer's place of business, from distributor to dealer,
or from one dealer to another dealer. Each vehicle moved shall have a dealer's plate or
identification issued by the resident state securely affixed to such vehicle.
BUSES
Full reciprocity for motor vehicles owned or chartered by all schools and colleges, religious or
charitable associations or institutions, or governmental agencies when used to convey their
athletic teams, orchestras or other scholastic, religious, or charitable organizations or
employees for temporary trips. Registrants have the option of proportionally registering charter
buses. Buses operating on a fixed schedule must be apportionally registered with Texas and
display an Apportioned License Plate.
WEIGHT, HEIGHT, ETC.
Operations must conform to Texas regulations as to maximum weight, height, width, length, and
other vehicle operational regulations. Movement of indivisible loads allowed under permit
issued by the state in which the vehicle is being operated.
MISCELLANEOUS
All operations must conform to the laws and regulations of the state in which operations are
made. Failure to do so subjects operators to prosecution and fine under the laws of the state in
which operating
I thought the use of the word "temporary abode" was interesting. It appears that if you are from Alabama, and establish a temporary abode in Texas you would be required to immediately register your Alabama vehicle in Texas. Agreements with other states use the words "establish domicile" which seems to have an entirely different meaning.
I'd bet that each state has a similar list, finding it may be a challenge.
