Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
3 HOUSE BILL 3982 By: Caldwell (Trey)
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5
6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to motor vehicles; amending 47 O.S.
2021, Section 1112.2, as last amended by Section 6,
8 Chapter 236, O.S.L. 2024, 1137.1, as last amended by
Section 19, Chapter 330, O.S.L. 2025, and 1137.3, as
9 last amended by Section 13, Chapter 236, O.S.L. 2024,
(47 O.S. Supp. 2025, Sections 1112.2, 1137.1, and
10 1137.3), which relate to the Oklahoma Vehicle License
and Registration Act; providing for and requiring
11 non-resident in-transit temporary credentials in lieu
of temporary and permanent license plates under
12 certain condition, and providing an effective date.
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14
15 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
16 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 1112.2, as
17 last amended by Section 6, Chapter 236, O.S.L. 2024 (47 O.S. Supp.
18 2025, Section 1112.2), is amended to read as follows:
19 Section 1112.2. A. The license plate and certificate of
20 registration shall be issued to, and remain in the name of, the
21 owner of the vehicle registered and the license plates shall not be
22 transferable between motor vehicle owners. When a vehicle is sold
23 or transferred in the state, the following registration procedures
24 shall apply:
Req. No. 14189 Page 1
1 1. When a current and valid Oklahoma motor vehicle license
2 plate has been obtained for use on a motor vehicle and the vehicle
3 has been sold or otherwise transferred to a new owner, the license
4 plate shall be removed from the vehicle and retained by the original
5 plate owner;
6 2. In the event an owner purchases, trades, exchanges, or
7 otherwise acquires another vehicle of the same license registration
8 classification, Service Oklahoma shall authorize the transfer of the
9 current and valid license plate previously obtained by the owner to
10 the replacement vehicle for the remainder of the current
11 registration period. In the event the owner acquires a vehicle
12 requiring payment of additional registration fees, the owner shall
13 request a transfer of the license plate to the newly acquired
14 vehicle and pay the difference in registration fees. The fee shall
15 be calculated on a monthly prorated basis. The owner shall not be
16 entitled to a refund:
17 a. when the registration fee for the vehicle to which the
18 plate(s) is to be assigned is less than the
19 registration fee for that vehicle to which the license
20 plate(s) was last assigned, or
21 b. if the owner does not have or does not acquire another
22 vehicle to which the license plate may be transferred;
23 3. Except as provided in paragraph 4 of this subsection, in the
24 event the owner of a license plate or a dealer seller purchases,
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1 trades, exchanges, or otherwise acquires a vehicle for which a
2 license plate has been issued during the current registration
3 period, and the license plate has not been removed by the previous
4 owner in accordance with this section, the new owner of the vehicle
5 shall remove and destroy or otherwise discard the license plate.
6 However, if the license plate has expired, the new owner shall not
7 be required to destroy or otherwise discard the license plate;
8 4. When a lender or lender's agent repossesses a vehicle and
9 the license plate has not been removed in accordance with this
10 section, the lender or lender's agent shall not be subject to the
11 provisions of this section and the license plate shall be considered
12 removable personal property and may be reclaimed from the
13 repossessed vehicle;
14 5. If a person purchases a motor vehicle from which the number
15 plates have been removed pursuant to this section, the person may
16 operate the motor vehicle for five (5) calendar days from the date
17 of purchase without number plates if a dated, notarized bill of sale
18 is carried in the motor vehicle. If the vehicle is subject to a
19 lien, the person may obtain a ten-day temporary plate issued either
20 from the dealer seller or by a licensed operator pursuant to the
21 promulgation of rules by Service Oklahoma; and
22 6. a. Within two (2) business days of the date of sale or
23 transfer of the motor vehicle, either the seller or
24 the purchaser of the motor vehicle shall complete the
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1 pre-registration of the vehicle by submitting
2 documentation to Service Oklahoma or a licensed
3 operator identifying the motor vehicle subject to the
4 sale or transfer, purchaser information, and any
5 associated state-issued license plate on the vehicle.
6 Pre-registration may be accomplished either in person
7 at Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator location or
8 by means of an electronic transaction or online system
9 established by Service Oklahoma in accordance with
10 Section 1132B of this title. Service Oklahoma or the
11 licensed operator shall:
12 (1) provide information and instructions to the
13 purchaser to complete the registration
14 transaction as required by the Oklahoma Vehicle
15 License and Registration Act,
16 (2) if no license plate was transferred to the motor
17 vehicle as a result of the purchase or transfer,
18 issue a license plate with a temporary decal to
19 the purchaser, unless the purchaser attests that
20 such vehicle is to be titled or registered in a
21 jurisdiction other than Oklahoma, in such case, a
22 non-resident in-transit temporary credential
23 shall be issued in lieu of a license plate, and
24
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1 (3) if there was an existing license plate
2 transferred to the motor vehicle, issue a
3 temporary decal to the existing license plate,
4 and
5 b. upon the effective date of this act, Service Oklahoma
6 is authorized to set the licensed operator
7 compensation pursuant to Section 3-103 of this title
8 for processing the documentation submitted and issuing
9 the license plate and/or decal pursuant to this
10 subsection.
11 B. 1. The new owner of a motor vehicle shall, within two (2)
12 months from the date of vehicle purchase or acquisition, make
13 application to record the registration of the vehicle with Service
14 Oklahoma or the licensed operator and shall pay all taxes and fees
15 provided by law.
16 2. Any person failing to register a motor vehicle by timely
17 transferring the license plate as provided by this section shall pay
18 the penalty levied in Section 1132 of this title.
19 C. A surviving spouse, desiring to operate a vehicle devolving
20 from a deceased spouse, shall present an application for certificate
21 of title to Service Oklahoma or the licensed operator in his or her
22 name within two (2) months of obtaining ownership. Service Oklahoma
23 or the licensed operator shall then transfer the license plate to
24 the surviving spouse.
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1 D. Service Oklahoma shall be authorized to promulgate such
2 rules as may be required to implement the license plate transfers
3 authorized by this section including, but not limited to, such rules
4 as may be required for a system under which the license plate is
5 registered to an individual and not a vehicle for all license plates
6 issued on or after July 1, 2019.
7 E. Service Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission and
8 the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and Manufactured
9 Housing Commission are authorized to enter into contracts and
10 agreements for the implementation of an electronic system to
11 facilitate the entry of required vehicle purchaser information on
12 new and used vehicle purchases and the issuance of temporary license
13 plates. Service Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are
14 authorized to enter into contracts and agreements to facilitate the
15 Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's access to an owner's vehicle
16 registration information used by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to
17 charge and collect tolls from owners of vehicles imaged using the
18 turnpike system, and to charge the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for
19 services in connection with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's need
20 to access owner registration information at such rates and
21 miscellaneous costs as may be agreed to by Service Oklahoma and the
22 Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Service Oklahoma, in cooperation with
23 the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority as provided in this subsection, and
24 appropriate state agencies, commissions, and other organizations, is
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1 directed to develop, promote, and coordinate a public awareness
2 program to be utilized in making Oklahomans aware of the
3 requirements of this section.
4 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 1137.1, as
5 last amended by Section 19, Chapter 330, O.S.L. 2025 (47 O.S. Supp.
6 2025, Section 1137.1), is amended to read as follows:
7 Section 1137.1 A. Except for vehicles, travel trailers or
8 commercial trailers which display a current Oklahoma license tag,
9 upon the purchase or transfer of ownership of a used motor vehicle,
10 travel trailer or commercial trailer, including an out-of-state
11 purchase or transfer of the same, to a licensed used motor vehicle
12 dealer, wholesale used motor vehicle dealer, used travel trailer
13 dealer or used commercial trailer dealer, subsequently referred to
14 in this section as "dealer", the dealer shall affix a used dealer's
15 plate visible from the rear of the vehicle, travel trailer or
16 commercial trailer. Such license plate shall expire on December 31
17 of each year. When the vehicle, travel trailer or commercial
18 trailer is parked on the dealer's licensed place of business, it
19 shall not be required to have a license plate of any kind affixed.
20 A dealer shall obtain from Service Oklahoma at a cost of Ten Dollars
21 ($10.00) a dealer license plate for demonstrating, transporting or
22 any other normal business of a dealer including use by an individual
23 holding a valid salesperson's license issued by the Oklahoma Used
24 Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and Manufactured Housing Commission. Any
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1 dealer who operates a wrecker or towing service licensed pursuant to
2 Sections 951 through 957 of this title shall register each wrecker
3 vehicle and display a wrecker license plate on each vehicle as
4 required by Section 1134.3 of this title. A dealer may obtain as
5 many additional license plates as may be desired upon the payment of
6 Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each additional license plate. Use of the
7 used dealer license plate by a licensed dealer for other than the
8 purposes as set forth herein shall constitute grounds for revocation
9 of the dealer's license. Service Oklahoma shall design the official
10 used dealer license plate to include the used dealer's license
11 number issued to him or her each year by Service Oklahoma or the
12 Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and Manufactured Housing
13 Commission.
14 B. Upon the purchase or transfer of ownership of an out-of-
15 state used motor vehicle, travel trailer or commercial trailer to a
16 licensed dealer, the dealer shall make application for an Oklahoma
17 certificate of title pursuant to the Oklahoma Vehicle License and
18 Registration Act, Section 1101 et seq. of this title. Upon receipt
19 of the Oklahoma certificate of title, the dealer shall follow the
20 procedure as set forth in subsection A of this section. Provided,
21 nothing in this title shall be construed as requiring a dealer to
22 register a used motor vehicle, travel trailer or commercial trailer
23 purchased in another state which will not be operated or sold in
24 this state.
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1 C. Upon sale or transfer of ownership of the used motor vehicle
2 or travel trailer, the dealer shall place upon the reassignment
3 portion of the certificate of title a tax stamp issued by the county
4 treasurer of the county in which the dealer has his or her primary
5 place of business. The tax stamp shall be issued upon payment of a
6 fee of Three Dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) and shall be in lieu of
7 the dealer's ad valorem tax on the inventories of used motor
8 vehicles or travel trailers but shall not relieve any other property
9 of the dealer from ad valorem taxation.
10 D. Upon sale of a used motor vehicle or travel trailer to
11 another licensed dealer, the selling dealer shall place the tax
12 stamp required in subsection C of this section upon the certificate
13 of title. The used dealer license plate or wholesale dealer license
14 plate shall be removed by the selling dealer. The purchasing dealer
15 shall, at time of purchase, place his or her dealer license plate on
16 the used motor vehicle, travel trailer or commercial trailer as
17 provided in subsection A of this section; provided, for vehicles,
18 travel trailers or commercial trailers purchased by a licensed used
19 dealer at an auction, in lieu of such placement of the dealer
20 license plate, the auction may provide temporary documentation as
21 approved by the Director of the Motor Vehicle Division of Service
22 Oklahoma for the purpose of transporting such vehicle to the
23 purchaser's point of destination. Such temporary documentation
24 shall be valid for two (2) days following the date of sale.
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1 E. 1. The purchaser of every used motor vehicle, travel
2 trailer, or commercial trailer, except as otherwise provided by law,
3 shall obtain registration and title for the vehicle or trailer
4 within two (2) months from the date of purchase of same. It shall
5 be the responsibility of the selling dealer to place a temporary
6 license plate, in size similar to the permanent Oklahoma license
7 plate but of a ten-mil weatherproof plastic-impregnated paper
8 approved by the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and
9 Manufactured Housing Commission, upon a used motor vehicle, travel
10 trailer or commercial trailer when a transaction is completed for
11 the sale of such vehicle. Provided, upon a determination by the
12 Commission that there exists a national shortage of ten-mil
13 weatherproof plastic-impregnated paper, eight-mil weatherproof
14 plastic-impregnated paper may be approved by the Commission until it
15 has been determined by the Commission the shortage has ended. The
16 temporary license plate under this subsection shall be placed at the
17 location provided for the permanent motor vehicle license plate.
18 The temporary license plate shall show the license number which is
19 issued to the dealer each year by Service Oklahoma or the Oklahoma
20 Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and Manufactured Housing Commission,
21 the date of expiration, and the company name of the selling dealer.
22 2. The Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and
23 Manufactured Housing Commission is hereby directed to develop the
24 motor vehicle temporary license plate design to incorporate these
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1 requirements in a manner that will permit law enforcement personnel
2 to readily identify the dealer license number and date of
3 expiration. The Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, and
4 Manufactured Housing Commission is hereby authorized to develop
5 additional requirements and parameters as deemed appropriate to
6 discourage or prevent illegal duplication and use of the temporary
7 license plate. Such motor vehicle temporary license plate shall be
8 valid for a period of ten (10) days from the date of purchase. Use
9 of the motor vehicle temporary license plate by a dealer for other
10 than the purposes set forth herein shall constitute grounds for
11 revocation of the dealer's license to conduct business. Purchasers
12 of a commercial trailer shall affix the commercial trailer temporary
13 license plate to the rear of the commercial trailer. The purchaser
14 of a motor vehicle shall display the motor vehicle temporary license
15 plate for a period not to exceed ten (10) days or until registration
16 and title are obtained as provided in this section. The purchaser
17 of a commercial trailer shall display the commercial trailer
18 temporary license plate for a period not to exceed two (2) months or
19 until registration and title are obtained as provided in this
20 section.
21 3. The provisions of this subsection on temporary licenses
22 shall apply to nonresidents who purchase a used motor vehicle,
23 travel trailer, or commercial trailer within this state that is to
24 be licensed in another state, provided such purchaser attests that
Req. No. 14189 Page 11
1 such vehicle is to be titled or registered in a jurisdiction other
2 than Oklahoma, in such case, a non-resident in-transit temporary
3 credential shall be issued in lieu of a license plate. The
4 nonresident purchaser shall be allowed to operate the vehicle or
5 trailer within the state with a temporary license plate for a period
6 not to exceed ten (10) days from date of purchase. Any nonresident
7 purchaser found to be operating a used motor vehicle, travel
8 trailer, or commercial trailer within this state after two (2)
9 months shall be subject to the registration fees of this state upon
10 the same terms and conditions applying to residents of this state.
11 Additionally, within two (2) business days of the date of the sale
12 or transfer of the vehicle or trailer, the parties shall submit the
13 requisite documentation to Service Oklahoma or licensed operator
14 identifying the vehicle or trailer subject to the sale or transfer,
15 purchaser information, and any associated license plate on the
16 vehicle, pursuant to the requirements of Section 1112.2 of this
17 title.
18 F. It shall be unlawful for any dealer to procure the
19 registration and licensing of any used motor vehicle, travel trailer
20 or commercial trailer sold by the dealer or to act as the agent for
21 the purchaser in the procurement of the registration and licensing
22 of the purchaser's used vehicle, travel trailer, or commercial
23 trailer. A license of any dealer violating the provision of this
24 section may be revoked.
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1 G. Dealers following the procedure set forth herein shall not
2 be required to register vehicles, travel trailers, or commercial
3 trailers to which this section applies, nor will the registration
4 fee otherwise required be assessed. Provided, dealers shall not
5 purchase or trade for a used motor vehicle, travel trailer, or
6 commercial trailer on which the registration therefor has been
7 expired for a period exceeding two (2) months without obtaining
8 current registration therefor.
9 H. A nonprofit charitable organization which is exempt from
10 taxation pursuant to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, 26
11 U.S.C., Section 501(c)(3), and which accepts donations of used motor
12 vehicles previously titled in Oklahoma to be subsequently
13 transferred to another owner, upon the qualifying organization
14 providing sufficient documentation of its tax-exempt status, may
15 obtain from Service Oklahoma charitable nonprofit organization
16 license plates for demonstrating, transporting, or test-driving
17 donated vehicles, provided that no organization shall possess or use
18 at any one time more than eight such plates. Service Oklahoma shall
19 design distinctive license plates for that purpose. The cost for
20 such plates shall be the same as provided in subsection A of this
21 section for dealer plates.
22 I. The transfer of ownership from the vehicle donor to the
23 qualifying nonprofit organization described in subsection H of this
24 section shall be made without the payment of motor vehicle excise
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1 tax levied pursuant to Section 2103 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma
2 Statutes.
3 SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 1137.3, as
4 last amended by Section 13, Chapter 236, O.S.L. 2024 (47 O.S. Supp.
5 2025, Section 1137.3), is amended to read as follows:
6 Section 1137.3 A. 1. The purchaser of every new motor
7 vehicle, travel trailer, or powersports vehicle shall register or
8 license the same within two (2) months from the date of purchase.
9 It shall be the responsibility of the selling dealer to place a
10 temporary license plate, twelve (12) inch by six (6) inch size or in
11 a size similar to the permanent Oklahoma license plate but of a ten-
12 mil weatherproof plastic-impregnated paper approved by the Oklahoma
13 New Motor Vehicle Commission, upon a new motor vehicle, travel
14 trailer, or powersports vehicle when a transaction is completed for
15 the sale of such vehicle or trailer. Provided, upon a determination
16 by the Commission that there exists a national shortage of ten-mil
17 weatherproof plastic-impregnated paper, eight-mil weatherproof
18 plastic-impregnated paper may be approved by the Commission until it
19 has been determined by the Commission the shortage has ended.
20 Except for cab and chassis trucks, the temporary license plate under
21 this section shall be placed at the location provided for the
22 permanent motor vehicle license plate. The purchaser of a new cab
23 and chassis truck may place the temporary license plate under this
24 section in the rear window. The temporary license plate shall show
Req. No. 14189 Page 14
1 the dealer's license number which is issued to him or her each year
2 by Service Oklahoma, the date of expiration, and the company name of
3 the selling dealer. Additionally, within two (2) business days of
4 the date of the sale or transfer of the motor vehicle, the selling
5 dealer must submit the requisite documentation to Service Oklahoma
6 or a licensed operator identifying the motor vehicle subject to the
7 sale or transfer, purchaser information, and any associated license
8 plate on the vehicle, pursuant to the requirements of Section 1112.2
9 of this title.
10 2. The Oklahoma New Motor Vehicle Commission is hereby directed
11 to develop a temporary license plate design to incorporate these
12 requirements in a manner that will permit law enforcement personnel
13 to readily identify the dealer license number and date of
14 expiration. The Oklahoma New Motor Vehicle Commission is further
15 authorized to develop additional requirements and parameters
16 designed to discourage or prevent illegal duplication and use of the
17 temporary license plate. On or before ten (10) days from the date
18 of purchase of a new motor vehicle, travel trailer, or powersports
19 vehicle, the temporary license plate shall be removed and replaced
20 with a permanent, current Oklahoma license plate, unless the
21 purchaser has attested that such vehicle is to be titled or
22 registered in a jurisdiction other than Oklahoma, and the purchaser
23 was provided a non-resident in-transit temporary credential in lieu
24 of a temporary license plate. Use of such temporary license plate
Req. No. 14189 Page 15
1 by a licensed dealer for other than the purpose of normally doing
2 business shall constitute grounds for revocation of the dealer's
3 license.
4 B. It shall be unlawful for any licensed dealer of new motor
5 vehicles, travel trailers, or powersports vehicle to procure the
6 registration and licensing of any new motor vehicle, travel trailer,
7 or powersports vehicle sold by the licensed dealer or to act as the
8 agent for the purchaser in the procurement of the registration and
9 licensing. The license of any licensed dealer of new motor
10 vehicles, travel trailers, or powersports vehicle violating the
11 provisions of this section shall be revoked.
12 SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
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14 60-2-14189 JM 01/13/26
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