(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a motor carrier shall obtain from the Comptroller an identification marker for each commercial motor vehicle of the motor carrier.

(2) A motor carrier that operates commercial motor vehicles on the highways of this State may obtain trip permits instead of markers.

(3) A motor carrier that registers (tags) all intrastate commercial motor vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Administration for operation within the State is not required to obtain identification markers for those commercial motor vehicles to operate in the State.

(b) To qualify for an identification marker, a motor carrier shall submit to the Comptroller an application on the form that the Comptroller requires.

(c) (1) By regulation, the Comptroller shall establish procedures to issue trip permits and to provide evidence of compliance with this subtitle.

(2) To qualify for a trip permit for a commercial motor vehicle, a motor carrier shall pay to the Comptroller an amount rounded to the nearest dollar equal to the current motor carrier tax payable on 174 gallons of special fuel for each commercial motor vehicle.

(3) Fees for trip permits are in lieu of the motor carrier tax.

(d) (1) A commercial motor vehicle identification marker is effective on an annual basis from January 1 through December 31 of each year.

(2) A trip permit is valid for the 15 consecutive days shown on the permit and only for the specific commercial motor vehicle shown on the permit.