Don't get in hot water by the DMV for a Farm truck
Peggy Claytor
For what purposes can I use a registered farm vehicle?
Vehicles that are registered for farming purposes can be used to transport:
- agricultural products to market or to other points for sale or processing;
- materials, tools, equipment, or supplies that will be used or consumed on the farm;
- anything incidental to the routine operation of the farm;
- farm produce, supplies, equipment, or materials to another farm through a mutual agreement with the owner of the other farm;
- forest products to the farm including forest materials originating on a farm or related to the regular operation of the farm;
- forest products which originate on the farm.
- vehicle owner between his residence and the land where such agricultural or horticultural activities take place.
Vehicles used on a tree farm are not eligible for farm registration unless the tree farm is also a nursery, a Christmas tree farm, or is part of what is otherwise a farm.
Are there penalties for knowingly registering a
vehicle as a farm vehicle when it will not be used
for farming purposes?
YES. Knowingly making a false statement on a registration
application is a Class 6 felony.
Do I need insurance for farm vehicles licensed
with an F-tag?
YES. When you register the vehicle, you must certify that it is
insured or you must pay the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee at
the time of registration.
When am I not required to register a vehicle?
You are not required to register a vehicle (obtain license plates and decals) or pay a registration fee for pickup or panel trucks, sport utility vehicles, vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds and trailers or semi-trailers used exclusively for agricultural or horticulture purposed on lands owned or leased by the vehicle’s owner. This exemption applies only to vehicles that are not operated on or over any public highway for any purpose other than:
- crossing a highway;
- operating along a highway for a distance of no more than 75 miles from one part of the owner’s land to another, irrespective of whether the tracts adjoin;
- taking the vehicle or attached fixtures to and from a repair shop for repairs;
- taking another vehicle exempt from registration under any provision of Va. Code §§ 46.2-664 through 46.2-668 or § 46.2-672, or any part or subcomponent of such a vehicle, to or from a repair shop for repairs, including return trips;
- operating along a highway to and from a refuse disposal facility for the purpose of disposing of trash and garbage generated on a farm; or
- operating along a highway for a distance of no more than 75 miles for the purpose of obtaining supplies for agricultural or horticultural purposes, seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, or animal feed. Va. Code § 46.2-665
