Interstate Carrier ResourcesCovered Farm Vehicles: Which FMCSA Rules Farm Trucks Skip, and Which They Do Not
Reviewed by Austin Park, founder of ICR Filings · Updated October 29, 2026
- A covered farm vehicle is a farm-plated truck run by the farm, hauling its own ag commodities, livestock, machinery, or supplies, not for hire.
- It skips federal CDL, drug and alcohol testing, medical qualification, hours of service, and inspection and maintenance rules.
- Up to 26,001 lbs the exemptions apply anywhere in the US. Heavier trucks get them in the home state and within 150 air miles of the farm across state lines.
- Placarded hazmat is out, and the exemption list does not include USDOT registration.
Farm trucks get some of the broadest breaks in federal trucking rules. Since 2013, a truck that qualifies as a covered farm vehicle and the person driving it are exempt from several of the most expensive requirements. Qualifying takes all of the conditions below, and the exemption does not cover everything.
Who qualifies
Under 49 CFR 390.5, a covered farm vehicle is a straight truck or articulated vehicle that is:
- Farm-platedRegistered with a license plate or other state designation that identifies it to law enforcement as a farm vehicle.
- Run by the farmOperated by the owner or operator of a farm or ranch, or by an employee or family member of the owner or operator.
- Hauling farm loadsUsed to transport agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery, or supplies to or from a farm or ranch.
- Not for hireNot used in for-hire operations. A tenant hauling the landlord's share of the crops under a crop share lease does not count as for-hire.
FMCSA adds that the vehicle cannot be carrying hazardous materials that require placards.
The weight and distance limits
| Weight (rating or actual, whichever is greater) | Where the exemptions apply |
|---|---|
| 26,001 lbs or less | Anywhere in the United States |
| More than 26,001 lbs | Anywhere in the state of registration, and across state lines within 150 air miles of the farm or ranch |
What a covered farm vehicle skips
49 CFR 390.39 exempts the vehicle and its driver from:
- commercial driver's license requirements (Part 383);
- drug and alcohol use and testing (Part 382);
- physical qualifications and medical examinations (Part 391, Subpart E);
- hours of service (Part 395);
- inspection, repair, and maintenance (Part 396).
These are in addition to older agricultural exemptions in the CDL, driver qualification, and hours of service rules. Carriers can combine them, as long as they meet each one fully.
What about the MC number?
A covered farm vehicle is never for hire, so operating authority does not come into it. A farmer hauling their own crops is a private carrier, and the law separately exempts transportation of a farmer's own agricultural products and supplies to the farm. See private carriers and MC numbers. Hauling for other farms for pay is a different business, covered in exempt commodities.
Need a USDOT number for the farm, or an MCS-150 update on one you already have? Look up your number to check its status first.
Common questions
Does a covered farm vehicle need a USDOT number?
The covered farm vehicle exemptions in 49 CFR 390.39 cover CDLs, drug and alcohol testing, medical qualification, hours of service, and inspection and maintenance. USDOT registration is not on that list, so an interstate farm truck of 10,001 lbs or more still needs one.
Can I haul a neighbor's crops for pay and keep the exemption?
No. A covered farm vehicle cannot be used in for-hire operations. The one exception is a tenant farmer hauling the landlord's share of the crops under a crop share lease.
Do I need farm plates?
Yes. The vehicle must be registered with a license plate or other designation from the state that lets law enforcement identify it as a farm vehicle.
Does the exemption cover hazmat?
Not when the hazmat requires a placard. FMCSA's description of a covered farm vehicle excludes vehicles carrying placarded hazardous materials.
Can my state require more?
States may exempt covered farm vehicles from these rules without losing federal funding, and some have their own agricultural rules. Check your state's requirements as well.
Official sources
- 49 CFR 390.5: definitions (commercial motor vehicle, interstate and intrastate commerce, private and for-hire carrier)
- 49 CFR 390.39: exemptions for covered farm vehicles
- FMCSA FAQ: What is a covered farm vehicle (CFV)?
- 49 U.S.C. 13506: exempt commodities and operations
- FMCSA: Do I need a USDOT number?
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you file.
Related guides
- How to Get a USDOT Number in 2026: Who Needs One, Cost, and the Motus Application
- Interstate vs Intrastate Trucking: How FMCSA Decides, and Why It Matters for Your Filings
- Which States Require a USDOT Number for Intrastate Carriers? The Full List
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