New vehicle compact between Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation approved

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (KFOR) — A new agreement between Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation renews the state's motor vehicle compact with the Tribe and goes into effect January 1, 2025.

The negotiations have been tense between the Tribe and Governor Kevin Stitt.

Under the tentative agreement, the Cherokee Nation will be able to keep operating its own tag offices on its reservation for Cherokee citizens to purchase tribal tags.

That was something Hoskin feared would go away without a new agreement.

“Those jobs would be eliminated if we move to a system in which the state was issuing vanity plates for the Cherokee Nation, which is, I believe, where the Governor would like to take us,” Hoskin said in September 2024.

However, the two sides were able to reach a deal, and that compact was approved by the Oklahoma Legislature's Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations on Monday.

Under the new compact, which is unique to the Cherokee Nation, the tribe will continue to issue vehicle tags to both in-reservation and at-large Cherokee citizens. As with previous motor vehicle compacts, the term of the agreement is 10 years, and the renewed compact will take effect on January 1, 2025.

“We appreciate our partners in the legislature for recognizing the mutual benefits of the new compact and taking this important step to finalize the agreement,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This compact was reached thanks to good faith negotiations between our tribe and the governor’s office, and is further proof that all four million Oklahomans win when all parties approach our shared responsibilities with mutual respect and collaboration to promote the needs of our tribal and state communities. I’m proud that the compact preserves Cherokee sovereignty, protects the rights of all Cherokees - including at-large Cherokees - to access tribally issued tags and titles, and keeps the investment framework in place for another decade that has worked so well for schools, infrastructure and law enforcement.” 

We’re all Oklahomans and we all drive on the same roads and bridges. It’s important that we’re all contributing to the things that make us a top ten state. I appreciate the cooperation of Cherokee leadership to reach an agreement, especially as it pertains to the ability to collect tolls on our turnpikes.

Gov. Kevin Stitt Statement from November 2024

Additional information provided by the Tribe on the motor vehicle compact can be found linked here.