Cherokee Nation new vehicle compact begins Jan. 1

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Oklahoma Legislature’s Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations approved a renewal of the state’s motor vehicle compact with the Cherokee Nation.

“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. in a prepared statement.

Click here for FAQs about the compact.

The compact was reached due to negotiations between the Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's office.

"(This) 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," Hoskin said.

The compact preserves Cherokee sovereignty and 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, he said. 

Revenue from the car tags has generated $178,488.10 in Craig County, Ottawa County received $122,199.40 and Delaware walked away with $586,220.35.

Cherokee Nation distributed $7.9 million in 2024 to 107 school districts within the tribe's 14-county reservation.

The Cherokee Nation Council approved the vehicle compact in December.

Under the new compact – 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.