Editor’s Note: Kristina Watson, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Regulatory Reform Director, has prepared the following information in response to commonly asked questions from members about Vehicle Code provisions for farm vehicles.
Do I need to get a registration for my trucks if they are only going to be used around the farm?
Depending on how you plan to use your trucks, several options other than registration may be available to you that can lower your costs. The PA Vehicle Code provides farmers with the option for a “farm vehicle exemption” for trucks used near the farm. Farmers must however obtain a biennial certificate of exemption from PennDOT for each exempt truck.
There are two main types of exemptions available to farm trucks. Restrictions in distance from the farm and use of the vehicle apply to each vehicle type.
The Type I Exemption can be obtained for a truck or truck tractor that 1) has a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 17,000 lbs OR 2) has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 17,000 lbs and bears a valid annual certificate of inspection.
If your vehicle is 17,000 pounds or less, you may only drive your vehicle from sunrise to sunset. But if the vehicle is more than 17,000 pounds and bears a valid certificate of inspection, it may be driven at any time of the day.
The Type I exemption allows your vehicle to be driven on roads between: 1) parts of your farm; 2) any of your farms located not more than 25 miles apart; 2) any of your farms and a place of business located within 25 miles of that farm for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies; or 4) any of your farms and a place of business within 50 miles for the purpose of repair or servicing the farm vehicle.
The Type II Exemption can only be obtained for a truck or truck tractor that has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 17,000 pounds. You may only operate this vehicle during daylight hours, and it is more limited in the area in which it may be operated than the Type I exemption, but it is not required to bear a valid certificate of inspection.
The Type II exemption allows your vehicle to be driven on roads between: 1) parts of your farm; 2) any of your farms located not more than 10 miles apart; 2) any of your farms and a place of business located within 10 miles of that farm for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies; or 4) any of your farms and a place of business within 25 miles for the purpose of repair or servicing the farm vehicle.
What can I do if I need to operate my truck beyond the distance allowances for the farm exemption?
If you need to use your truck or truck tractor beyond the distance limitations imposed for vehicles operating under a biennial certificate of exemption, you will need to obtain an annual registration from PennDOT. The Vehicle Code allows farmers to obtain a special farm vehicle registration plate at a lower annual fee than commercial vehicles.
A farm-registered vehicle, is limited in the manner in which the vehicle may be used. It may be only operated on a farm or farms owned or operated by the registrant of the vehicle and upon highways between: 1) parts of the farm; 2) the farm and a place of business for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural supplies or commodities 3) a place of business and a place of delivery following the sale of the owner’s agricultural commodities after sale by an auctioneer and delivery is made in the same vehicle that delivered it to the place of business; and 4) the farm and a driver’s license examination site.
Note that there are no distance limitations for registered farm vehicles.
Do I need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive my farm registered or exempt truck?
You do not need a CDL to operate any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating 26,000 pounds or less. If you are operating a truck or truck tractor with a farm vehicle registration or exemption that has a gross weight rating over 26,000 pounds, the Vehicle Code exempts the driver from requirements for a CDL if the driver has a Class C license, the vehicle is being operated in accordance with the restrictions in use that apply to farm registered and farm exempt vehicles, and the vehicle is being operated within a 150-mile radius of the farm.
How can I register my vehicle as a farm truck?
For registration of farm trucks with a farm registration tag, or to attain an exemption, submit the MV-77 form to PennDOT. It is available online at http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/mv_forms/mv-77.pdf.
Do I need a title for my farm registered or farm exempt truck?
Yes, all trucks and truck tractors – including farm vehicles – must have a certificate of title under Pennsylvania law.
Do I need a medical certificate to drive my farm registered or farm exempt truck?
Operators of farm registered and farm exempt trucks are not required to have a medical certificate, unless the truck is carrying hazardous materials in quantities that require the vehicle to be placarded. Operators of combinations with a registered gross weight of more than 17,000 pounds that are towed by a farm-registered vehicle are required to have a medical certificate.
Can I use dyed fuel in my farm registered and farm exempt vehicles?
Only the farm-exempt vehicles may use dyed fuel. Farm registered vehicles must use undyed fuel.
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