{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-transportation-code-648.101","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Transportation Code § 648.101","heading":"REGISTRATION EXEMPTION IN BORDER COMMERCIAL ZONE.","body":"(a) A foreign commercial motor vehicle is exempt from Chapter 502 and any other law of this state requiring the vehicle to be registered in this state, including a law providing for a temporary registration permit, if:\n(1) the vehicle is engaged solely in transportation of cargo across the border into or from a border commercial zone;\n(2) for each load of cargo transported the vehicle remains in this state:\n(A) not more than 24 hours; or\n(B) not more than 48 hours, if:\n(i) the vehicle is unable to leave this state within 24 hours because of circumstances beyond the control of the motor carrier operating the vehicle; and\n(ii) all financial responsibility requirements applying to the vehicle are satisfied;\n(3) the vehicle is registered and licensed as required by the country in which the person that owns the vehicle is domiciled or is a citizen as evidenced by a valid metal license plate attached to the front or rear of the exterior of the vehicle; and\n(4) the country in which the person that owns the vehicle is domiciled or is a citizen provides a reciprocal exemption for commercial motor vehicles owned by residents of this state.\n(b) A foreign commercial motor vehicle operating under the exemption provided by this section and the vehicle's driver may be considered unregistered if the vehicle is operated in this state outside a border commercial zone or in violation of United States law.\n(c) A valid reciprocity agreement between this state and another state of the United States or a Canadian province that exempts currently registered vehicles owned by nonresidents is effective in a border commercial zone.\n(d) A foreign commercial motor vehicle that engages primarily in transportation of cargo across the border into or from a border commercial zone must be:\n(1) registered in this state; or\n(2) operated under the exemption provided by this section.\n(e) A vehicle located in a border commercial zone must display a valid Texas registration if the vehicle is owned by a person who:\n(1) owns a leasing facility or a leasing terminal located in this state; and\n(2) leases the vehicle to a foreign motor carrier.\nAdded by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 17.35(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.\nAmended by:\nActs 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 72 (H.B. 313), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.\nActs 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 39 (H.B. 782), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.","path":["TRANSPORTATION CODE","TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC","SUBTITLE F. COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES","CHAPTER 648. FOREIGN COMMERCIAL MOTOR TRANSPORTATION","SUBCHAPTER C. REGULATION OF OPERATION OF FOREIGN COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.648.htm#648.101","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:44Z","sha256":"cd8a6c964d6cf23b53dd8b267bd07d2a2de218cbe468f2fe16e2a08f25010aec","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-transportation-code-648.052","next":"us-tx/tex.-transportation-code-648.102"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}