(a) No motor carrier shall operate motor vehicles upon any public highway in interstate commerce pursuant to interstate authority until the motor carrier has registered the interstate authority with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, has paid the appropriate filing fee as provided in Ohio R.C. 4919.79 and 4919.80, and has been issued an acknowledgement by the Commission which shall remain in effect until amended, suspended, canceled, or revoked. The interstate authority shall be registered, and acknowledgements shall be issued in a manner to be prescribed by the Commission.
(b) No motor carrier shall operate motor vehicles upon any public highway for the transportation of property for hire in interstate commerce unless it has registered with the Commission and complied with the requirements of Ohio R.C. Chapter 4919.
(c) Mutual exemptions in the payment of filing fees may be authorized and granted by the Commission under reciprocal agreements with other states. (1993 Code 70.38)
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.