TOPEKA – Beginning Jan. 1, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Office will implement a new system that will increase compliance with federal and state departments of transportation. The property tax assessed on commercial vehicles will also be replaced with a fee.

The office, will now register intrastate and interstate motor carriers in the newly created Commercial Vehicle Registration System. This registration does not affect farm vehicles.

During the 2011 session, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2557, which removed the property tax, also called the ad valorem tax, from commercial vehicles and replaced it with a commercial vehicle fee that will be collected at the time of registration.

Motor carriers operating solely in Kansas as an intrastate motor carrier will receive a new license plate.  The new white and purple plate marked “Commercial” will provide and easy reference for law enforcement.  Kansas-based motor carriers that drive in Kansas and other states and currently have an apportioned tag will continue to receive the license plate that is white with red marked “Apportioned.”

“The new fees will streamline Kansas’ antiquated process tied to fluctuating property taxes and help businesses predict from year-to-year what their registration will cost,” said Deann Williams, manager of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Office. “This is leveling the playing field for all commercial vehicle operators and simplifying the process because the fee will be collected when the vehicle is registered.”

The definition of a commercial vehicle is not changing; the federal rules have been in place since July 2000. The new system will help ensure that all commercial vehicles are properly registered and comply with existing federal and state laws.  Currently, commercial vehicles should be operating under a U.S. DOT number; that DOT number will be used to set up the new intrastate commercial vehicle registration account.

A commercial vehicle is used to transport property or passengers and:

• Has a gross vehicle weight or gross combination vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more

• Is designed or used to transport 15 or more passengers, including the driver

• Is used to transport hazardous material in a quantity requiring placarding.

If a vehicle meets any one of the three criteria, it is considered a commercial vehicle.

More information is available in the commercial vehicle registration section of www.truckingks.org, there operators can also check if their county treasurer’s office offers commercial vehicle registration or to register for a DOT number.