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    Farm Vehicles

    Titling, Registration and Exemption

    Overview

    Information concerning the titling and registration of farm vehicles is located in Chapter 13 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

    The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requires the titling of farm vehicles regardless of whether the vehicle is registered or operating under a biennial certificate of exemption.

    In order to title and register a farm vehicle in Pennsylvania, an individual must be able to provide:

    • Proof of ownership of the farm vehicle (see below for acceptable proofs of ownership),
    • A valid Pennsylvania Driver's License or Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card,
    • Valid proof of insurance for the farm vehicle, and
    • Applicable fees

    If the farm truck or truck tractor being titled is new or from out-of-state, Form MV-1, "Application for Certificate of Title," must be completed by an authorized agent and a Pennsylvania inspection mechanic or an authorized agent who is also an authorized dealer must verify the vehicle's weight and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Proof of ownership in the form of a Manufacturer Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO or MSO), previous certificate of title, court order, or transferable registration card for the vehicle, must be presented.

    If the farm truck or truck tractor being purchased was already titled in Pennsylvania, Form MV-4ST, "Pennsylvania Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration," must be completed by an authorized agent. If your farm truck or truck tractor is registered over 55,000 lbs., you must provide PennDOT proof that any required Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is paid. For additional information regarding HVUT, visit the IRS Web site to obtain Form IRS 2290 (PDF).

    Forms MV-1 or MV-4ST, are completed by authorized agents. These authorized agents will be able to complete an application for title and issue you a temporary registration. Some authorized agents are online with PennDOT and are able to issue you a registration plate on the spot. To search for an Online Agent in your area, visit PennDOT's Locations Information Center.

    Farm Vehicles Exempt from Registration

    Farm vehicles that meet the requirements of a Type A, Type B, Type C or Type D vehicle (described below) may qualify for exemption from registration. In order for your vehicle to be exempt from registration, you must obtain a biennial (two-year) certificate of exemption for that vehicle. The fee(s) for obtaining a Type A through Type D certificate of exemption can be found on Form MV-70S, "The Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees." To apply for a certificate of exemption, complete Form MV-77A (PDF), "Application for Farm Vehicle 2-Year Certificate Of Exemption." Vehicle requirements and instructions for completing the form are listed on the form. 

    Type A Vehicles - Type A farm vehicles are vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. Farm vehicles with a Type A exemption are not required to bear a valid inspection certificate. A vehicle with a Type A exemption may only be driven on the highway between sunrise and sunset, and is restricted in use to:

    • Parts of a farm owned or operated by the owner of the vehicle;
    • Farms owned or operated by the farmer located not more than 50 miles apart;
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business located within 50 miles of that farm for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies; or
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business within 50 miles for the purpose of repair or servicing the farm vehicle or trailer or semitrailer being towed or hauled by the farm vehicle.

    Type B Vehicles - Type B farm vehicles are vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds to 17,000 pounds. Farm vehicles with a Type B exemption are not required to bear a valid inspection certificate. A vehicle with a Type B exemption may only be driven on the highway between sunrise and sunset, and is restricted in use to:

    • Parts of a farm owned or operated by the owner of the vehicle;
    • Farms owned or operated by the farmer located not more than 25 miles apart;
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business located within 25 miles of that farm for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies; or
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business within 50 miles for the purpose of repair or servicing the farm vehicle or trailer or semitrailer being towed or hauled by the farm vehicle.

    Type C Vehicles - Type C farm vehicles are vehicles that have a gross weight or gross combination weight rating greater than 17,000 pounds. Farm vehicles with a Type C exemption are not required to bear a valid inspection certificate. A vehicle with a Type C exemption may only be driven on the highway between sunrise and sunset, and is restricted in use to:

    • Parts of a farm owned or operated by the owner of the vehicle;
    • Farms owned or operated by the farmer located not more than 10 miles apart;
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business not more than 10 miles apart for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies; or
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business within 25 miles for the purpose of service or repair of the farm vehicle or trailer or semitrailer being towed or hauled by the farm vehicle.

    Type D Vehicles - Type D farm vehicles are vehicles that have a gross weight or gross combination weight rating greater than 17,000 pounds. Farm vehicles with a Type D exemption are required to bear a valid inspection certificate. However, a Type D vehicle with a valid inspection certificate may be operated at any time of day or night. Vehicles with a Type D exemption are restricted in use to:

    • Parts of a farm owned or operated by the owner of the vehicle;
    • Farms owned or operated by the farmer located not more than 50 miles apart;
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business located within 50 miles of that farm for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies; or
    • The farmer's farm and a place of business within 50 miles for the purpose of repair or servicing the farm vehicle or trailer or semitrailer being towed or hauled by the farm vehicle.

    Minimum Insurance Requirements for Exempt Farm Vehicles

    Pennsylvania law also requires that registration-exempt farm vehicles maintain the minimum levels of liability insurance. Farm vehicles need not be covered under an individual automobile policy if the vehicle is covered under the farm policy. Check with your insurance agent to see if your current policy covers your farm trucks or truck tractors.

    To apply for a certificate of exemption, you will need to complete Form MV-77A (PDF), "Application for Farm Vehicle 2-Year Certificate of Exemption." Portions of your most current income tax return filing demonstrating you are engaged commercially in farming must be attached to the form. The following is additional tax information you must provide if you are:

    • An individual - A copy of your Pennsylvania Income Tax Form, Schedule F, must be attached.
    • A partnership - A copy of your Federal Income Tax Form 1165 or 1165B, or a copy of the Schedule F filed with the 1065 or 1065B must be attached.
    • A corporation - A copy of your Federal Income Tax Form 1120 or 1120A (Schedule K of the 1120 return or Part II of the 1120A return) must be attached.
    • A Subchapter S Corporation - A copy of your Federal Income Tax Form 1120S (Schedule B) must be attached.

    The copy of the income tax return filing attached to the Form MV-77A (PDF), must show the business activity code or business activity description. Specific income information filed in the original return may be blacked out. If you do not have a copy of one of these income tax forms with your Form MV-77A (PDF) application, you will not qualify for a certificate of exemption.

    Farm Vehicles Requiring Registration

    If your vehicle does not meet the requirements of a Type A, Type B, Type C or Type D vehicle, it must be registered. However, if it meets the following requirements, it can be registered as a farm vehicle bearing special farm truck registration plates.

    A farm vehicle operating under a farm vehicle registration is restricted in vehicle use. It may be operated between:

    • Parts of a farm owned or operated by the owner of the vehicle;
    • Between farms that the owner of the vehicle owns or operates;
    • The farm or farms owned or operated by the registrant and a place of business or place of residence for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies, for the examination of an applicant for a driver's license, or for the inspection, repair, or servicing of the vehicle; or
    • 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 farm vehicle that transported the commodities to the place of business.

    There are no distance limitations for registered farm vehicles. Please refer to Form MV-70S (PDF), "The Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees," for the most current registration fees for farm trucks.

     

    Any farm truck not exempt from the registration requirements due to the nature of farm operations may be registered for only the months of the year the vehicle is in use. To be eligible, the vehicle must have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 lbs. Insurance is not required for the months of the year the vehicle is not registered. For more information, refer to the Seasonal Registration Requirements Fact Sheet (PDF).

    A vehicle that does not qualify for farm vehicle registration or registration exemption must comply with PennDOT's general registration requirements.

    To register your farm truck, you will need valid proof of insurance covering the vehicle. Then complete Form MV-77, "Application for Farm Vehicle Registration Plate." Portions of your most current income tax return filing demonstrating you are engaged commercially in farming must be attached to the form. The following is additional tax information you must provide if you are:

    • An individual - A copy of your Pennsylvania Income Tax Form, Schedule F must be attached.
    • A partnership - A copy of your Federal Income Tax Form 1165 or 1165B or a copy of the Schedule F filed with the 1065 or 1065B must be attached.
    • A corporation - A copy of your Federal Income Tax Form 1120 or 1120A (Schedule K of the 1120 return or Part II of the 1120A return) must be attached.
    • A Subchapter S Corporation - A copy of your Federal Income Tax Form 1120S (Schedule B) must be attached.

    The copy of the income tax return filing attached to the Form MV-77 (PDF) must show the business activity code or business activity description. Specific income information filed in the original return may be blacked out. If you do not have a copy of one of these income tax forms with your Form MV-77 (PDF), application, you will not qualify for a farm truck license plate.

    Interstate Registration Requirements

    Pennsylvania is a member of the International Registration Plan, which streamlines registrations of trucks operating in more than one state so that a truck owner is able to obtain one registration honored in all states. The IRP does not require a state recognize another state's restricted use plate. In order to operate a farm truck in any other state, you should check with that state prior to operating their vehicle in that state.

    If you plan on operating your farm truck outside of Pennsylvania, you may be required to obtain a trip or special hauling permit. PennDOT recommends that you contact the state(s) you plan to operate the vehicle in to ensure your vehicle is properly registered. Vehicle operators can check the IRP website for a listing of state contacts.

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