In this subtitle, “jurisdiction” includes any state, foreign country, or state or province of a foreign country.

It is the policy of this State to promote and encourage the fullest possible use of its highway system by authorizing vehicle reciprocal or proportional registration agreements, arrangements, and declarations with other jurisdictions as to vehicles registered in this State and in those other jurisdictions, thus contributing to the safety and the economic and social development and growth of this State.

The Administrator may make agreements, arrangements, or declarations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.

The Administrator may make an agreement or arrangement with the authorized representative of any other jurisdiction, to grant to drivers or to owners of vehicles that are licensed or registered in that jurisdiction and for which evidence of compliance is supplied, benefits, privileges, and full or partial exemptions from the payment of any taxes, fees, or other charges imposed under the laws of this State on the drivers or owners as to the operation or ownership of the vehicles. An agreement or arrangement made under this section shall provide that drivers and vehicles licensed or registered in this State, while operated on highways in the other jurisdiction, shall receive benefits, privileges, and exemptions of a similar kind or to a similar degree as are extended to drivers and vehicles licensed or registered in that jurisdiction while operated in this State. In the judgment of the Administrator, each agreement or arrangement to be made under this section shall be in the best interest of and fair and equitable to this State and its citizens, as determined on the basis and recognition of the benefits that accrue to the economy of this State from the uninterrupted flow of commerce.

An agreement, arrangement, or declaration made under this subtitle may authorize the registration or licensing in another jurisdiction of vehicles that are located in or operated from a base in that jurisdiction and that otherwise would be required to be registered or licensed in this State. In this event, the benefits, privileges, and exemptions extended by the agreement, arrangement, or declaration shall apply to those vehicles, if licensed or registered in the base jurisdiction.

If any jurisdiction permits or requires the licensing of fleets of vehicles in interstate or combined interstate and intrastate commerce and the payment of registration, license, or other fixed fees on an apportionment basis commensurate with and determined by the miles traveled on highways in that jurisdiction, as compared with the miles traveled on highways in other jurisdictions, or on any other equitable basis of apportionment, and if that jurisdiction exempts vehicles registered in other jurisdictions under that apportionment basis from the requirements of full payment of its own registration, license, or other fixed fees, the Administrator by agreement may adopt the exemption as to vehicles of those fleets, whether owned by residents or nonresidents of this State and regardless of where the vehicles are based. Under the terms, conditions, or restrictions that the Administrator considers proper, these agreements may provide: That owners of vehicles operated in interstate or combined interstate and intrastate commerce in this State may pay registration, license, or other fixed fees on an apportionment basis commensurate with and determined by the miles traveled on highways in this State, as compared with the miles traveled on highways in other jurisdictions, or on any other equitable basis of apportionment; or For issuance of trip permit registration; and For collection of a fee for any vehicle or combination of vehicles which may be lawfully operated in the jurisdiction if full registration or proportional registration were obtained. The registration of fleet vehicles under this section is subject to the rights, terms, and conditions granted by or contained in any applicable agreement, arrangement, or declaration made by the Administrator.

In the absence of an agreement or arrangement with another jurisdiction, the Administrator may examine the laws and requirements of the other jurisdiction and declare the extent and nature of benefits, privileges, and exemptions to be extended to vehicles registered or licensed in that jurisdiction or to the owners of the vehicles. In the judgment of the Administrator, the benefits, privileges, and exemptions to be declared under this section shall be in the best interest of and fair and equitable to this State and its citizens, as determined on the basis and recognition of the benefits that accrue to the economy of this State from the uninterrupted flow of commerce.

An agreement, arrangement, or declaration made under this subtitle may contain provisions, terms, and conditions under which a leased vehicle registered by its lessor may be entitled to the exemptions, benefits, and privileges extended by the agreement, arrangement, or declaration.

If, as to any other jurisdiction, an agreement, arrangement, or declaration is not in effect as authorized by this subtitle, any vehicle registered or licensed in that other jurisdiction and for which evidence of compliance is supplied, shall receive, while operated in this State, the same benefits, privileges, and exemptions granted by the other jurisdiction to vehicles registered in this State. Reciprocity extended under this section applies only to vehicles that are engaged exclusively in interstate operations.

The provisions of this subtitle relating to proportional registration of fleet vehicles do not require any vehicle to be registered proportionally if it is otherwise registered in this State for the operation in which it is engaged, including regular registration, temporary registration, or trip permit.

Any agreement, arrangement, or declaration made under this subtitle may authorize the Administration to suspend or cancel the benefits, privileges, or exemptions granted under it to a person who violates any of its conditions or terms or who violates the vehicle laws or regulations of this State.

The Administrator may make an agreement, an arrangement, or a declaration with the authorized representative of any other jurisdiction to provide for reciprocal enforcement of violations recorded by automated traffic enforcement systems between the State and the other jurisdiction. An agreement, an arrangement, or a declaration made under this section may authorize the Administration to refuse to register or reregister a motor vehicle.

Each agreement, arrangement, and declaration made under this subtitle and each amendment to an agreement, arrangement, or declaration: Shall be in writing and kept on file by the Administration; and Is not effective until approved by the Governor. The Administrator shall file a copy of each agreement, arrangement, declaration, and amendment with the Secretary of State within 30 days after its execution or its effective date, whichever is later. The Administration shall provide copies of these documents for public distribution on request.

Every reciprocity and proportional registration agreement, arrangement, and declaration relating to vehicles and in force and effect on July 1, 1971, continues in force and effect until specifically amended or revoked as provided by law or by the agreement, arrangement, or declaration.

This subtitle is part of and supplemental to the vehicle registration laws of this State.