# SSR 68-23: SSR 68-23: SECTION 218(a) and (c). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- STATUS OF MOTOR LICENSE AGENTS IN OKLAHOMA > Federal · Rulings · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_23 ## Section - **Citation:** SSR 68-23 - **Heading:** SSR 68-23: SECTION 218(a) and (c). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- STATUS OF MOTOR LICENSE AGENTS IN OKLAHOMA - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Rulings - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Social Security Rulings / OASI / Voluntary Agreements for Coverage of State and Local Employees / SSR 68-23 ## Text 20 CFR 404.1201 SSR 68-23 Section 218(a) of the Social Security Act, as amended, provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall, at the request of any State, enter into an agreement with such State for the purpose of extending the insurance system established by title II of the Act to services performed by individuals as employees of such State or any political subdivision thereof. Each such agreement shall contain such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section of the law, as the State may request. For purposes of this title, the term "employment" includes any service included under an agreement entered into with the State. The State of Oklahoma entered into an agreement with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to section 218 of the Act, to provide coverage effective January 1, 1951, for the services of employees of the State in positions not under a retirement system. The State excluded from coverage the services of all State employees in positions compensated by fees. Among those not covered under the Federal-State agreement were motor license agents, who are compensated on a fee basis (with the exception of those serving in Tulsa County and Oklahoma County, who are paid salaries). Motor license agents are appointed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission pursuant to statutory authority to assist in the performance of its duties. The agents are removable at the will of the Tax Commissioner, are required to furnish and file bonds and, under the law, must perform all duties required of them by the Tax Commission. On these facts, the Social Security Administration determined in 1951 that motor license agents are employees of the State of Oklahoma. In 1963 the Oklahoma legislature enacted Laws of 1963, chapter 217, section 1, to provide that motor license agents be self-employed independent contractors under the supervision of the State Tax Commission. duties required of them by the Tax Commission. On these facts, the Social Security Administration determined in 1951 that motor license agents are employees of the State of Oklahoma. In 1963 the Oklahoma legislature enacted Laws of 1963, chapter 217, section 1, to provide that motor license agents be self-employed independent contractors under the supervision of the State Tax Commission. The question for determination is the status of the services of these motor license agents for purposes of social security. The Oklahoma Statutes Annotated, as pertinent hereto, provide in Title 47 "Motor Vehicles" as follows: The term "employee" as defined in section 210(j)(2) of the Social Security Act, means "any individual who, under the usual common-law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship, has the status of an employee." (Social Security Regulations No. 4, section 404.1004(c) (20 CFR 404.1004(c)) sets out the rules.) Generally, such a relationship exists when the person for whom the services are performed has the right to control and direct the individual who performs the services, not only as to the result to be accomplished but also as to the details and means by which the result is accomplished. In this connection, it is not necessary that the employer actually direct or control the manner in which the services are performed; it is sufficient if he has the right to do so. Whether or not an employer-employee relationship exists for social security purposes is a question of Federal law to be determined by the appropriate Federal officials. Section 404.1004(a)(2) (20 CFR 404.1004(a)(2)) of the regulations cited above support this position: ctually direct or control the manner in which the services are performed; it is sufficient if he has the right to do so. Whether or not an employer-employee relationship exists for social security purposes is a question of Federal law to be determined by the appropriate Federal officials. Section 404.1004(a)(2) (20 CFR 404.1004(a)(2)) of the regulations cited above support this position: The statutory provisions cited above clearly indicate that motor license agents in Oklahoma are subject to the direction and control of the State through the Tax Commission, and that the Commission either exercises or reserves the right to exercise such direction and control by means of instructions issued to them. The agents are removable at the will of the Tax Commissioner; they are required to furnish and file bonds, and must perform all duties required of them by the Commission. Under the facts recited, motor license agents in Oklahoma, held employees of the State within the meaning of section 210(j) of the Social Security Act. The fact that they are designated in the State law as self-employed independent contractors under the supervision of the State Tax Commission does not change this result. [1] [1] The Social Security Amendments of 1967 (P.L. 90-248) provide that fees for services performed after 1967 by State and local employees in positions compensated solely on a fee basis which are not covered under a Federal-State coverage agreement are compulsorilyy covered as self-employment income with one exception. An employee occupying such a position in 1968 may make an irrevocable election on or before the due date of his income tax return for 1968 not to have such fees constitute self-employment income for 1968 and all succeeding years. ## Nearby sections - [SSR 63-51c SSR 63-51c: SECTION 218. -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- EMPLOYEE OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_63_51c.md) - [SSR 63-52c SSR 63-52c: SECTION 218. -- EMPLOYEE OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_63_52c.md) - [SSR 65-57 SSR 65-57: SECTION 218(s). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- COMMISSIONER'S RULING ON STATE'S REQUEST FOR REVIEW](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_65_57.md) - [SSR 67-12 SSR 67-12: SECTION 218(s). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- COMMISSIONER'S RULING ON STATE'S REQUEST FOR REVIEW -- INDIANA SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_12.md) - [SSR 67-13 SSR 67-13: SECTION 218(s). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- COMMISSIONER'S RULING ON STATE'S REQUEST FOR REVIEW -- SERVICES FOR MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_13.md) - [SSR 67-27 SSR 67-27: SECTION 218(s). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- COMMISSIONER'S RULING ON STATE'S REQUEST FOR REVIEW -- SERVICES FOR COUNTY AS NIGHT WATCHMAN](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_27.md) - [SSR 67-44 SSR 67-44: SECTION 218(s). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- COMMISSIONER'S RULING ON STATE'S REQUEST FOR REVIEW -- NEBRASKA CONSTABLES AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_67_44.md) - [SSR 68-23 SSR 68-23: SECTION 218(a) and (c). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- STATUS OF MOTOR LICENSE AGENTS IN OKLAHOMA](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_23.md) - [SSR 68-24 SSR 68-24: Rescinded 1984](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_24.md) - [SSR 68-34 SSR 68-34: Rescinded 1984](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_34.md) - [SSR 68-35 SSR 68-35: Rescinded 1984](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_35.md) - [SSR 68-51 SSR 68-51: Rescinded 1984](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_51.md) - [SSR 68-77 SSR 68-77: SECTION 218(d), (f), and (g). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- EFFECT ON COVERAGE OF FAILURE OF EMPLOYEE TO PAY CONTRIBUTION -- MEMBER OF DIVIDED COVERAGE GROUP -- RHODE ISLAND](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_77.md) - [SSR 69-7 SSR 69-7: SECTION 218(s). -- STATE AND LOCAL COVERAGE -- COMMISSIONER'S RULING ON STATE'S REQUEST FOR REVIEW -- WEST VIRGINIA -- POLICEMEN OF CITY OF NEW MARTINSVILLE](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_69_7.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_23. 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