By: Joel Stephen Mattson
How the State Converts Your Right to Travel Into a Regulated Corporate Privilege
1. The Right to Travel Is Fundamental—But They Won’t Tell You That
You have a constitutional right to travel. It’s one of the most basic liberties protected by the U.S. Supreme Court and rooted in common law for centuries. But when you apply for a driver’s license, that right is converted into a regulated privilege—one that can be suspended, revoked, and taxed.
What changed? You unknowingly entered a contract with the State, consenting to be treated as a commercial operator, not a private traveler.
“The right of the citizen to travel upon the public highways and to transport his property thereon… is not a mere privilege, but a common right.” — Thompson v. Smith, 154 S.E. 579 (Va. 1930)
2. What a Driver’s License Really Means
When you sign up for a driver’s license:
- You apply as a resident (a term defined under statutory jurisdiction);
- You accept the title of driver, which means one who operates a vehicle for hire or commerce;
- You waive your natural right to travel freely and agree to abide by the transportation code.
“A ‘driver’ in legal terms is one who is employed in conducting a vehicle.” — Bouvier’s Law Dictionary (1914)
You’re not a driver. You’re a traveler. But by taking the license, you consented to the label.
3. The Hidden Contract Behind Vehicle Registration and Tags
Every time you register your vehicle:
- You hand over partial ownership to the State (the state becomes legal title holder);
- You agree your car is a commercial vehicle;
- You agree to allow law enforcement and agencies to regulate, fine, inspect, and seize that vehicle based on statutory violations.
This isn’t public safety—it’s commercial law enforcement.
4. The UCC and Transportation Codes Prove It’s Commercial
Look at your state’s transportation code. You’ll find that it defines:
- Driver as a commercial operator;
- Vehicle as a device used in commerce;
- Motor carrier, chauffeur, and operator are all legally distinct from private use.
“No State shall convert a liberty into a license, and charge a fee therefor.” — Murdock v. Pennsylvania, 319 U.S. 105 (1943)
And yet, that’s exactly what they’ve done. Licensing the road is a fraudulent conversion of liberty into revenue.
5. Your Car Isn’t Yours—Unless You Fix the Paperwork
The State holds legal title to your vehicle because you registered it. You hold equitable title—meaning you get to use it, but they control it.
- They can seize it;
- They can regulate its use;
- They can fine you for noncompliance.
To reclaim your property:
- Remove it from commercial registration;
- Declare private ownership and usage under common law;
- Revoke permission for state agencies to regulate it.
6. Police Enforce Commercial Code, Not Common Law
Police are not enforcing constitutional law when they stop you for:
- No license;
- No tags;
- Expired registration.
They are enforcing administrative commercial code, which only applies if you:
- Are acting in commerce;
- Or have agreed to be treated as if you are.
“All codes, rules, and regulations are applicable to the government authorities only, not to private persons.” — Rodrigues v. Ray Donovan, 769 F.2d 1344 (9th Cir. 1985)
7. Supreme Court Cases Protecting Your Right to Travel
“The right to travel is part of the liberty of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law.” — Kent v. Dulles, 357 U.S. 116 (1958)
“The use of the highways for the purpose of travel and transportation is not a mere privilege, but a common and fundamental right.” — Chicago Motor Coach v. Chicago, 169 N.E. 22 (Ill. 1929)
“Even the legislature has no power to deny a citizen the right to travel on the highway and transport his property.” — Thompson v. Smith, 154 S.E. 579 (Va. 1930)
8. How to Reclaim Your Right to Travel
1. File a Notice of Status Correction – Declare you are not engaged in commerce and are traveling privately. 2. Remove vehicle from commercial registration – Create a bill of sale to yourself as a private individual. 3. File an Affidavit of Non-Commercial Use – Attach it to your vehicle as notice to law enforcement. 4. Revoke consent to all transportation codes unless proven applicable by lawful contract.
“The right to contract includes the right not to contract.” — Lyon v. Pollard, 87 U.S. 403 (1874)
9. What to Do If You’re Pulled Over
- Stay calm. Record everything.
- Present a conditional acceptance: “I conditionally accept all claims and codes upon proof of contract binding me to commercial statutes.”
- Ask for delegation of authority.
- Do not argue—document, record, rebut.
10. The Road Is Yours—If You Stand on It
This isn’t about being above the law. It’s about knowing which law applies to you.
They can only regulate your travel if you let them. They can only enforce codes if you contract. They can only fine and seize if you consent.
Conclusion: Travel Is a Right, Not a Commercial Bargain
They converted your right to travel into a corporate transaction. You can convert it back—with knowledge, paperwork, and lawful declarations.
Take the wheel. Your rights are waiting.
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