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Motor Vehicle Laws and Regulations Impacting Farmers
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- "Farmer Plates"
- "Farm Use" and Tractor Plates and Tractor Registration Exemption
- "Farmer" and "Farm Use" Regulations
- Promote NJ Agriculture License Plates
- Bulletin from the Motor Vehicle Commission Explaining Tractor Exemption from Registration
- "Farmer's" Certificates
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
- Student Agriculture License
- Reciprocity Agreements
- International Registration Plan (IRP)
- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
- International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
- Diesel Emissions
- Back-up Beepers
- Vehicle Marking and Conspicuity
- Securing Loads and Cargo Tie Down Requirements - Interstate and Intrastate Transportation
- "Farmer Plates"
The law outlines the provisions under which a "Farmer" license plate can be issued for farm trucks and a provision to allow snow removal for a municipality.
Click here for the New Jersey law on "Farmer" plates.
- "Farm Use" and Tractor Plates and Tractor Registration Exemption
The law outlines the provisions under which a “Farm Use” plate can be issues for farm trucks and farm tractors and includes an exemption from registration for certain tractors. It is recommended that a copy of this document be maintained on the farm tractor that is exempt from registration.
Click here for the New Jersey law on "Farm Use" and Tractor Plates and Tractor Registration Exemption.
- "Farmer" and "Farm Use" Regulations
The regulations specify the hours of travel, distance of travel, speed limits, vehicle dimensions, priority of travel, certain highway restrictions, and wheel coverings.
Click here for the "farmer" and "farm use" regulations.
- Promote NJ Agriculture License Plates
New Jersey motor vehicle owners may promote our state's agriculture with a specialized license plate. Click here for more information.
- Bulletin from the Motor Vehicle Commission Explaining Tractor Exemption from Registration
This bulletin clarifies the farm tractor registration exemption law. It is recommended that a copy of this document be maintained on the farm tractor that is exempt from registration.
Click here for the tractor bulletin.
- "Farmer's" Certificates
A "Farmer's Certificate" must be secured from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office prior to visiting a local Motor Vehicle office to secure a "Farmer" or "Farm Use" plate. To locate your Rutgers Cooperative Extension County office visit http://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/.
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
If a farmer is traveling intrastate, within 150 miles of their farm and not hauling for hire, Federal regulations and NJ’s statute (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10(k)) exempt farmers from CDLs. However, the federal regulations require that a reciprocity agreement must be in place for the exemption to be recognized during interstate travel. For more information on the regulations governing Federal CDL licensing (Part 383), drug and alcohol use and testing (Part 382), log books (Part 395) and medical certificates (Subsection 391.45), visit the web at www.fmcsa.dot.gov and link with the Rules and Regulations section. A commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle has a GVWR or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more; whichever is less or is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including driver) for compensation; or is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers, including driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation.
- Student Agriculture License
Click here to view information on obtaining a Class G Agriculture license.
- Reciprocity Agreements
Delaware and New Jersey for Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Exemption
When traveling in a commercial vehicle intrastate, the federal regulations exempt farmers from securing a CDL if traveling within 150 miles from their farm. However, if traveling interstate farmers must have a CDL unless there is a reciprocity agreement with adjoining states. New Jersey and Delaware have such an agreement. It is recommended that this document be maintained in farmers’ commercial vehicles when traveling in Delaware.
Click here for the reciprocal agreement with Delaware regarding the exemption from commercial driver's license requirements for farmers.
Delaware and New Jersey for "Farmer" plates
New Jersey Farmers with "farmer license plates" may drive into Delaware without being cited by police. It is recommended that this document be maintained in farmers’ commercial vehicles when traveling in Delaware.
Click here for the reciprocal agreement on farmer plates between New Jersey and Delaware.
Maryland and New Jersey "Farmer" plates
New Jersey farmers with farm vehicle license plates may drive into Maryland without having to have a "commercial" registration. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration issued a letter stating that they recognize New Jersey's farmer plates. It is recommended that this document be maintained in farmers’ commercial vehicles when traveling in Maryland.
Click here for a letter from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration outlining their position.
New York and New Jersey for Farm Vehicles
New Jersey farmers with farm vehicle license plates may drive into New York State without having to have a "commercial" registration. It is recommended that this document be maintained in farmers’ commercial vehicles when traveling in New York State.
Click here for the reciprocity agreement between New York and New Jersey.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey for Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Exemption
When traveling in a commercial vehicle intrastate, the federal regulations exempt farmers from securing a CDL if traveling within 150 miles from their farm. However, if traveling interstate farmers must have a CDL unless there is a reciprocity agreement with adjoining states. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have such an agreement. It is recommended that this document be maintained in farmers’ commercial vehicles when traveling in Pennsylvania.
Click here for the reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania regarding the exemption from commercial driver's license requirements for farmers.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey for "Farmer" plates
This reciprocity agreement allows New Jersey farmers using a commercial vehicle with a "farmer" plate to travel into Pennsylvania and conduct business in the Commonwealth. It is recommended that this document be maintained in farmers’ commercial vehicles when traveling in Pennsylvania.
Click here for "farmer" plates reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania.
- International Registration Plan (IRP)
IRP is a cooperative agreement for registering vehicles that travel interstate (between states). Commercial vehicles based in NJ will register with the NJ’s Motor Carrier Unit and are issued one apportioned plate (or set of plates) and one cab card that list all of the states for which the vehicle is authorized to travel. IRP covers apportioned vehicles used for transportation of persons for hire or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and: is a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 lbs.; is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 lbs. Commercial vehicle displaying restrictive plates, such as ‘Farmer’ plates, are exempt from IRP.
www.state.nj.us/mvc/Commercial/IRP.htm
- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
According to the Motor Vehicle Commission, the old Single State Registration (SSR) has expired and the new Uniform Carrier Registration (UCR) is now in its place. New Jersey has not adopted the new program and it appears that it will take a statutory change to implement UCR in New Jersey. Under the SSR, only the power unit or tractor is assessed a fee. Under UCR both the power unit and trailer is assessed a fee. Presently there are 34 states enrolled in a UCR program for 2007. A New Jersey motor carrier, motor private carrier (most farms fall in this category), broker, freight forwarder, or leasing company conducting interstate transportation must choose a single base state with which it shall register and pay its UCR agreement fee. UCR fees shall be based on the size of the fleet. Since New Jersey is not enrolled in the program, an entity is required to choose a participating UCR state that is nearest to the location of the entity's principal place of business, for New Jersey that would be New York. PA and DE will be adopting the UCR program as of January 1, 2008. When New Jersey becomes a UCR participating state, the entity shall, effective with the first registration year in which the state is a participating state, choose the state as its base state. Enforcement of the UCR shall commence on November 15, 2007.
NOTE: You must be registered before November 14, 2007, in order to operate in interstate commerce. To avoid delays, it is highly recommended that you register on-line at the UCR National Web site at www.ucr.in.govand follow the step-by-step instructions.
- International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
IFTA is an agreement among states and Canadian provinces to simplify the reporting of fuel taxes by interjurisdictional & interstate motor carriers. ‘Farmer” plated vehicles are exempt from IFTA registration if they do not leave NJ. IFTA regulations require that a commercial vehicle used for transportation of persons or property with at least two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 lbs. or used in combination, and the combination exceeds 26,000 lbs. or three or more axles regardless of weight that travels interstate (between states) must register with IFTA. For more information, contact the NJ Division of Motor Vehicles, IFTA Unit, at (609) 633-9400 or visit www.state.nj.us/mvc/Commercial/IFTA.htm on the web.
- Diesel Emissions
Diesel-powered motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 8,500 pounds and registered with ‘Farmer’ or ‘Farm Use’ plates are exempt from the periodic diesel emission inspection requirements. (N.J.A.C. 13:20-26.17) Farmers are encouraged to keep a copy of the exemption in their vehicle.
Click here for the Diesel Emission Inspection Exemption "Farmer" and "Farm Use" tags - Regulation.
- Back-up Beepers
All commercial trucks or cargo vans registered in NJ with a cargo area over 18 feet long must have an electronic rear backup monitoring device or a cross-view mirror located at the top left rear corner of the cargo area. “Farmer” plates are considered commercial.
Click here for the back-up beeper regulation.
- Vehicle Marking and Conspicuity
New Jersey law requires every vehicle used for commercial purposes to display the name and municipality no less than three inches high. Commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle rating or combined gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more must also display the GVWR.
Click here for the law governing vehicle markings.
Federal regulations require that all commercial vehicles traveling interstate (between states) must display their name and USDOT number on both sides of the power unit. Commercial motor vehicles with ‘Farmer’ plates that travel interstate MUST have a DOT number displayed. Visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov for more details on the marking regulations (390.21). For more information or USDOT forms contact the Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carrier Safety at 1-800-832-5660 or download the form on the web at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/forms/print/r-l-forms.htm.
All trailers and semitrailers with an overall width of 80 inches or more and a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more must have reflective sheeting or reflex reflectors in federally mandated colors and patterns. For the appropriate location of the material on trailers, visit the web at www.fmcsa.dot.gov and link with regulation 393.13.
Click here for the New Federal Motor Carrier Regulations for Reflective Tape on Trailers and Cab Markings.
- Securing Loads and Cargo Tie Down Requirements - Interstate and Intrastate Transportation
Interstate:The U.S Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all interstate commercial motor vehicles to comply with performance standards for securing cargo. When transporting cargo on public roads, it must be secured, in accordance with FMCSA regulations to prevent the cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle and prevent shifting within the vehicle to such an extent that the vehicle's stability or maneuverability is adversely affected.
For additional information on cargo securing devices and systems, visit the FMCSA regulations at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/rules-regulations.htm and link to Part 393, Subpart I -Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo.
Intrastate:
New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-77) states that when the load of any vehicle is of material susceptible to scattering on a street and such load extends above the height of the sides, tail gate, or rear of the body of the vehicle, the load must be securely covered by a tarpaulin or other cover. Farm products are not subject to the tarping requirement. However, if there is the possibility of spillage of farm products on the road, the load must be covered.
