Free Zone/Reciprocity Agreements
North Dakota has entered into reciprocity agreements with states and provinces bordering North Dakota regarding registration requirements.
The following terms are used in the agreements:
- Reciprocity agreement: An agreement between two jurisdictions partially or fully waiving additional registration requirements on a qualifying licensed vehicle when traveling into the other jurisdiction. Vehicles may be limited on miles traveled in other jurisdiction.
- Interstate operation: A vehicle movement between or through two or more jurisdictions.
- Intrastate operation: A vehicle movement from one point within a jurisdiction to another point within the same jurisdiction.
MINNESOTA
All Minnesota licensed vehicles are exempt from the 72-hour trip permit requirements. The movement however must be an interstate operation and within 20 miles of the ND/MN boundary. Travel does not have to be by the most direct route.
The 20-mile free zone for MN licensed vehicles while operating in ND starts east of a line extending north to south as follows: ND/MB line on ND 32, south on ND 32 east on ND 17 to junction ND 18, south on ND 18 to the ND/SD state line.
MN registered automobiles, panel trucks, or pickup trucks used when working within the ND 20-mile free zone will be waived of ND registration fees. However, any vehicle remaining in the state beyond a 24-hour period will be subject to ND registration fees.
Farm plated vehicles have an expanded free zone for interstate and intrastate operations. This expanded agreement applies to MN or ND farm registered vehicles transporting their own farm products, farm supplies or farm equipment in either state.
The expanded free zone for all MN farm-plated vehicles while operating in ND starts east of a line extending north to south as follows: ND/MB line on ND 256, south to US 83, south to ND 1804, south to the ND/SD line.
The expanded free zone for all ND farm-plated vehicles while operating in MN starts west of a line extending north to south as follows: MN/CD line on MN 72 to US 71 to Cass Lake south on MN 371 to Little Falls, south on US 10 to St Cloud then south on MN 15 to the MN/IA line.
SOUTH DAKOTA
All South Dakota licensed vehicles are exempted from the 72-hour trip permit requirement when the movement is an interstate operation and within 20 miles of the ND/SD line. Travel must be by using the most reasonably direct route within 20 miles of the ND/SD line.
The ND free zone starts south of a line extending west to east as follows: ND/MT line on US 12, east on US 12 to east junction ND 22, north on ND 22 to junction ND 21, east on ND 21 to junction ND 6, south on ND 6 to junction 24 east on ND 24 across the Missouri River to ND 13 then east on ND 13 to the ND/MN line.
SD registered automobiles, panel trucks, or pickup trucks used when working within the ND free zone will be waived of ND registration fees. Any vehicle remaining in the state beyond a 24-hour period will be subject to ND registration fees.
Farm registered vehicles owned or operated by farmers or ranchers of either state hauling their own farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment within the ND/SD free zone are not required to purchased registration from the other state.
MONTANA
Montana farm registered vehicles owned or operated by farmers or ranchers hauling their own farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment are exempt from North Dakota registration requirements for interstate operations only.
MANITOBA
Manitoba farm registered vehicles owned or operated by farmers or ranchers hauling their own farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment are exempt from North Dakota registration requirement for interstate operations only.
Farm registered vehicles owned or operated by farmers or ranchers of either state hauling their own farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment within 20 miles of the ND/MB border are not required to purchase registration from the other state.
SASKATCHEWAN
All Saskatchewan licensed vehicles are exempted from the 72-hour trip permit requirements if the movement is an interstate operation and made within the 20 miles of the ND/SK border.
Saskatchewan farm registered vehicles owned or operated by farmers or ranchers hauling their own farm products, farm supplies, or farm equipment are exempt from North Dakota registration requirements for interstate operations only.