Straight Trucks Only

Farm-vehicle-drivers of straight trucks only (within 150 air-miles of their farm) are exempt from:

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation regarding general driver qualifications and driver qualification files, including the DOT medical certification requirement. Drivers must still obey applicable state laws regarding age, valid license, etc.

Combination Trucks Only

Farm-vehicle-drivers of combination semi-trucks (within 150 air-miles of their farm) are exempt from:

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation driver qualification file requirements only! The driver must still meet the general qualification requirements and also be medically qualified, examined, and certified (the DOT physical). However, they do not have to keep documentation in a driver qualification file.

Both Combination and Straight Trucks

• The CDL requirements and also excludes them from drug & alcohol testing requirements.

Farmers and Agri-Business Operations

1. Limited to an area within a 100 air-mile radius from the source of the commodities or the distribution point for the farm supplies, and is
2. Conducted during the planting and harvesting seasons within Missouri. Missouri's season is from January 1 through December 31

Missouri Farm License Plate Exemptions

• Most of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, when operating in Missouri intrastate farm commerce only.

This Missouri farm plate exclusion basically exempts farm vehicles licensed for 42,000 lbs or less from the DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation driver qualifications and file, medical qualification & certification card, hours-of-service rules, and the maintenance file requirements.

Farmers and farm truck drivers are still required to have a Class E Missouri driver's license or CDL. If a CDL is required, then drug & alcohol testing requirements must be met also. Drivers must be at least 18 years old, speak English, and be physically capable of operating a truck safely. All trucks must be operated with the proper equipment and comply with Missouri state traffic laws.

Farm Trucks as Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs)

Farm trucks are considered commercial motor vehicles (CMV) if they meet the size description of a CMV, which is basically a truck with a gross weight over 10,000 lbs. In Missouri this varies some. Please see the Commercial Motor Vehicle definition in the glossary.

Marking of Farm Trucks

Federal and Missouri State Statutes require that all trucks must have markings on their truck with at least the operating business or farm name and location of the business or farm, on both sides of the truck. In certain cases a USDOT number may be required if crossing state lines at all. These requirements do include farm trucks.

Insurance Requirements for Farm Trucks

Commercial Driver's License's (CDL) Requirements for Farm Trucks

• Your truck is over 26,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or
• Is used in combination with a trailer for a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) over 26,000 lbs., or
• It is required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

1. Farmer transports their own agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies as a private carrier to/from their farm (Not operating as a for-hire carrier or other than farm use), and
2. Is within 150 miles of the farmer's farm, and
3. The driver is a farmer, family member of the farmer, or an employee of the farm, operating a farm vehicle, and
4. Is not required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

Missouri Class E Driver's License

This is Missouri's non-CDL license for commercial vehicles that do not require a CDL. This license is required for all farm truck drivers if they do not have a CDL.

CDL Required Drug and Alcohol Testing Rules

• Pre-employment drug test - Needed before driving a CDL required truck. A DOT pre-employment drug test must be conducted with negative results received before driving.
• Random drug & alcohol-testing program - All CDL required drivers must enroll in a DOT random drug & alcohol-testing program.
• Post accident testing - Drivers involved in a recordable accident must have a post-accident drug & alcohol test conducted if there is a fatality or citation issued.
• Any positive tests or refusal to test - This results in a driver being disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Drivers must complete return-to-duty testing and follow-up testing requirements to be re-qualified to drive.

Minimum Age for Farm Truck Drivers

• You are required to be placarded due to the hazardous materials carried on your farm truck or,
• If you operate beyond a 150 mile radius in interstate commerce outside of Missouri (crossing state lines) or,
• If the truck requires a CDL.

Driver's License Requirements

Missouri Farm License Plate Exemptions

Trucks with Missouri farm license plates designated for farm use by the "F" tab, and licensed for 42,000 pounds or less, are exempt from the general safety regulations (FMCSR Parts 390-397) when operating in Missouri intrastate farm commerce only.

The Missouri "F" tab farm plate regulations exemptions are only applicable when a vehicle is lawfully licensed for a gross weight of 42,000 pounds or less (not in excess of its licensed gross weight of 42,000 pounds) and is designated "F" for farm use in accordance with the applicable requirements of Missouri law. The vehicle may only transport property to or from a farm owned or operated by that person and the property transported to the farm is only for use in the operation of this farm.

A farmer operating on a local commercial motor vehicle license plate with a farm tab may not make a for-hire haul! Farmers also lose all farmer exemptions when doing this. Farm truck drivers must still have at least a Missouri class E driver's license, or a CDL if required, be at least 18 years old, and comply with Missouri state traffic laws.

Note: The above exemption based on Missouri "F" tab license plates exists separately from all other regulations and does relate to or overlap any other requirements or exemptions discussed in this booklet.

Driver Qualifications

Medical Certification Requirements

• Drivers who had a valid Missouri Chauffeur's License on May 13, 1988 and who only operate within Missouri (Missouri grandfather exception).
• Farm drivers of straight trucks operated only within 150 miles of the farm.
• The Missouri "F" Farm Plate Exemption. Trucks with Missouri farm license plates designated for farm use by the "F" tab, and licensed for 42,000 pounds or less, are exempt from the general safety regulations (FMCSR Parts 390-397), which include this medical examination and certification requirement (DOT physical), when operating in Missouri intrastate farm commerce only.

Recordkeeping of Driver Qualifications

• Signed certification by the driver listing any traffic violations or none
• A road test & written test or equivalent (copy of a valid CDL)
• Employment application documenting driving, work, and safety history
• Investigation & inquiries into driving history, i.e. a copy of the driver's driving record (Motor Vehicle Record)
• Medical certification card and/or DOT physical form (unless meeting the Missouri grandfathered exception)
• Investigation & inquiries of previous employers into driving, work, and safety history
• Drug & Alcohol testing requirements completed on each driver, if driver is required to have a CDL
• Proof of negative pre-employment test
• Enrollment in a random testing process
• Reasonable suspicion supervisor training
• Policies, such as post-accident testing procedures

Driver Qualification Exemptions for Farmers

1. Farm-vehicle-drivers of straight trucks (within 150 miles of their farm) are exempt from the general federal driver qualification requirements and the driver qualification documentation file.

The driver must still be the required age, speak English, and have the proper license:

• Either a CDL (if required) or a Missouri class E driver's license.
2. Farm-vehicle-drivers of combination (articulated) semi-trucks (within 150 miles of their farm) are exempt from the driver qualification documentation file only!

They must meet the general requirements of a valid license as required above, the proper age, and speak English. These drivers also must be medically examined, qualified, and certified (a DOT physical) to operate a farm truck commercial vehicle and carry this medical certification card with them while operating the farm truck.

Two exceptions from the DOT physical certification requirements are:
• The Missouri "F" tab Farm Plate Exemption: Trucks with Missouri farm license plates designated for farm use by the "F" tab, and licensed for 42,000 pounds or less, are exempt from this requirement statewide within Missouri.
• Drivers who had a valid Missouri Chauffeur's License on May 13, 1988 and who only operate within Missouri (Missouri grandfather exception).
3. Farm-vehicle-drivers of both combination (articulated) trucks and straight trucks are exempt from the CDL license requirement and controlled substance and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) when transporting:
1. Their own agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies as a private carrier to/from their farm, and
2. Operate within 150 miles of the farmer's farm, and
3. The driver is the farmer, a family member, or an employee of the farm, operating a "farm vehicle", and
4. Is not required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

These farm-vehicle-drivers are exempt when operating their "farm vehicle" within Missouri, unless adjoining state's have a reciprocal agreement and depending on that state's planting and harvesting season.

Compliance With Hours-of-Service Requirements
Generally, all Commercial Vehicles must follow the following hours-of-service rules:

• Mandatory off-duty rest time of at least 10 hours
• Maximum daily driving time limit of 11 hours total
• Maximum workday limiting driving after 14 hours on-duty that day
• Cannot drive a commercial vehicle after 60 hours total on-duty in any seven day period
• Cannot drive a commercial vehicle after 70 hours total on-duty in any eight day period
• Time keeping requirements - logbooks or time records must be maintained documenting working, driving, and off-duty time

• Agricultural operations operating within 100 air-miles from the farm or distribution point for the farm supplies, within Missouri.
• Missouri "F" tab Farm Plate Exemption: Trucks with Missouri farm license plates designated for farm use by the "F" tab, and licensed for 42,000 pounds or less, are exempt from hours-of-service regulations when operating in Missouri intrastate farm commerce only.

Hours-of-Service Logbooks or Time records for Farm Truck Drivers
Generally all working hours, driving hours, and off-duty time must be documented by either using a logbook or time record. These must be kept showing all driving time, all working time, and off-duty time.

Two exemptions are allowed for farmers from these requirements:

• Agricultural operations operating within 100 air-miles from the farm or distribution point for the farm supplies, within Missouri.
• Missouri "F" tab Farm Plate Exemption: Trucks with Missouri farm license plates designated for farm use by the "F" tab, and licensed for 42,000 pounds or less, are exempt from hours-of-service regulations when operating in Missouri intrastate farm commerce only.

Note: Crossing state lines may require full compliance with this area, depending on that adjoining state's planting and harvesting season; Missouri's is year round, other states vary.

To recap the above exemptions from Hours-of-Service requirements:

• Agricultural operations (Farmers & Agri-Businesses) operating within 100 air-miles from the source of the commodities or distribution point for the farm supplies, transporting agriculture commodities or farm supplies for agricultural purposes are exempt from the hours-of-service requirements only if this transportation:
1. Is limited to an area within a 100 air-mile radius from the source of the commodities or the distribution point for the farm supplies, and
2. Are transporting only agriculture commodities or farm supplies for agricultural purposes, and
3. Is conducted during the planting and harvesting seasons within such State, as determined by the State. (Missouri's season is from January 1 through December 31.)

Equipment and Maintenance Rules for Farm Trucks
All farm trucks must be operated safely with the proper equipment such as lighting, brakes, tires, load-securement, steering and suspension parts, etc. This means that all equipment, parts, and accessories must be properly maintained according to state and federal regulations. Inspections, repairs, and maintenance must be done and documented as explained below.

Maintenance Records and Proof of Repairs
All farm trucks and trailers operated on a public roadway must have a complete maintenance file containing documentation for each truck and trailer listing:

• A full description of each truck and trailer by make, year, VIN, truck number, company number etc.
• All repairs completed on each unit.
• All preventative maintenance done and a written schedule of preventative maintenance to be followed.
• Federal Annual Periodic Inspection/DOT Annual Periodic Inspection. This is a complete mechanical inspection done at least once a year, following the requirements listed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Proof of this inspection must be kept both on the vehicle operated and maintained in the maintenance file.

Safety Inspection Requirements for Drivers
All drivers are required to do a daily pre-trip "walk around" inspection of the truck and trailer before operating it on any roadway to ensure it is safe. This is to find and correct vehicle and trailer defects, load securement problems, and equipment violations before they cause accidents and injure someone!

Drivers must complete a daily vehicle inspection post-trip report showing any defects noted and repaired, or that the vehicle has none, for each day the truck is operated on the roadways.

Exemptions from this driver daily vehicle inspection report requirement include:

• Anyone operating only one Commercial Motor Vehicle.
• The Missouri "F" Farm Plate Exemption. Trucks with Missouri farm license plates designated for farm use by the "F" tab, and licensed for 42,000 pounds or less, are exempt from the federal maintenance regulations when operating in Missouri intrastate farm commerce only.

Besides the safety regulation requirements, other rules and fees apply to farmers operating trucks both within Missouri and interstate. These include fuel tax licenses, over-dimension/over-weight (OD/OW permits), apportioned license plates, for-hire authority, etc.

Overdimension Loads (OD)
No OD permits are needed on Missouri state highways for farmers occasionally and temporarily transporting an agricultural implement for a short distance on a state highway, or transporting hay as a farm product. OD permits are always required on the federal highway (interstate) system. Farm drivers must operate safely and in compliance with applicable rules and laws at all times or the OD permit will be voided.

Overweight Loads (OW)
Farmers must comply with the maximum legal weight limits or obtain an OW permit. Overweight loads are not exempt and always require a proper OW permit. Fees start at $15 with an additional $20 for every 10,000 lbs over the state maximum legal weight limit.

Reminder: Depending on the dimensions of the load and time of the movement, when traveling under an OD or OW permit, visible warning signs, flags, and lighting (when required due to darkness or weather) may be needed on the vehicle! This includes transporting hay!

OD/OW limits
Limits vary by roadway designation, commercial zone operation, and the type of vehicle. Generally, current Missouri statutory limits are as follows:

Maximum Height

• 14 feet on interstate and designated highways plus a 10 mile radius of surrounding highways. 13 ½ feet on all other roadways for any vehicle, including the load.

• 102 inches on all highways for any vehicle, including the load.

• 45 feet for any single vehicle, including the load
• 60 feet for any combination vehicle (truck-tractor and semi-trailer) on supplemental highways and other roadways, including the load
• 53 feet for the trailer and load (excluding power unit) of any combination vehicle (truck-tractor and semi-trailer including the load) on interstate and designated highways plus a 10 mile radius of surrounding highways.
• 65 feet overall length for other combination vehicles(truck-trailer) on interstate and primary highways plus a 10 mile radius of surrounding highways.
• 55 feet for the other combination vehicles (truck and trailer) more than 10 miles from interstate and primary highways.

This is based on gross weight, bridge weight, axle weight and axle spacings. These vary, so please call or visit our website for information regarding RSMo 304.180 for legal weights according to the number of axles and axle spacings.

Weight/height commercial zones set by statute within Missouri:

• Columbia
• Kansas City
• Springfield
• St. Joseph
• St. Louis
• (If the Governor signs) Triangle from Missouri City to Excelsiorr Springs Rt. 61 from St. Louis County to Jct. 00 (Ste Genevieve Co.) and all of St. Charles County.

Weight/height limits set by statute within Missouri:

• Legal height limit is 15 feet.
• Legal gross weight is 22,400 lbs. per axle, regardless of the number of axles. There is no gross weight cap.
• To qualify for these limits, the move must be wholly within one of the above commercial zones.

Missouri For-Hire Hauling Certificate of Authority
For intrastate authority within Missouri, there are a few simple steps to complete:

• You must complete an application for authority with MODOT Motor Carrier Services Division for this certificate. There is no cost to apply for this certificate of authority.
• File proof of required insurance coverage needed.
• Pay the $10 per vehicle authority sticker required.

Note: If you fall under these for-hire hauling requirements, you are then NOT operating as a farmer and none of the previous exemptions from the safety regulations covered will apply to you. You also may not haul for-hire using a Missouri farm license plate.

Interstate (beyond Missouri)

Operation Beyond/Across Missouri State Lines
Any Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crossing state lines, including farmers and farm trucks, must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and obtain a USDOT number. There is no charge to receive this required number for private carriers such as farmers. This can be done by phone, mail, or via the Internet.

Note: There are no exceptions from this requirement, if you cross state lines at all in a Commercial Motor Vehicle, even as a farmer, unless you purchase a trip-permit.

Hauling For-Hire Beyond Missouri
For interstate operating authority, you must apply to the USDOT, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for this authority. MODOT - Motor Carrier Services Division can assist you with this process or you may obtain this through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Fees start at approximately $300 and increase from there for each additional authority type needed. Note: If you fall under these requirements, then you are NOT operating as a farmer and none of the previous exemptions from the safety regulations covered will apply to you.

License Plate Requirements for Interstate Transportation
Missouri farm license plates are essentially local license plates to be used with a 50-mile radius. There are some exceptions within Missouri for occasionally going beyond the 50-mile radius for farm business and personal use. However, adjoining states may have different rules for farm license plates. Farmers are urged to check with the Missouri Department of Revenue, MODOT - Motor Carrier Services, or equivalent agencies of the state in which they will be traveling.

If engaged in interstate for-hire transportation, farmers may need to obtain an apportioned license plate.

Note: If you are required to have an apportioned license plate, then you are NOT operating as a farmer and none of the previous safety regulation exemptions explained will not apply to you.

Fuel Tax License for Farmers
As a farmer operating across any state lines, International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) license requirements apply if either of these two conditions is present:

• Your truck is over 26,000 lbs (GVWR or licensed weight).
• Your truck has 3 or more axles.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a required license to operate in interstate commerce and applies to farmers by just crossing state lines. The license is free but requires quarterly reports and submission of fuel taxes. For infrequent trips out of state, a 72-hour permit may be purchased for $10 instead of obtaining this IFTA license.

The regulations and requirements in this booklet are explained in a very abbreviated manner and are only a brief overview of some common requirements. The regulations should be consulted for a full explanation of these rules and guidelines. They can be viewed on the websites listed below or copies obtained from any regulatory supplier. The complete regulations and state statutes, while complex, will cover these areas in much more detail and should be read in their entirety.

Please contact any of the agencies listed below to have all your questions fully answered.

Regulations, forms, & links to MODOT Motor Carrier Services staff and other agencies are available on the Internet at: www.carrier.state.mo.us or www.modot.state.mo.us/mcs.

USDOT- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
3219 Emerald Lane, Suite 500
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 636-3246 / 636-3870 or
FMCSA Information Line: 1-800-832-5660 or www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Missouri State Highway Patrol - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
(573) 751-4653 or any local troop of the Missouri State Highway Patrol

These are some of the agencies that farmers may have contact with. In Missouri the primary state agencies for commercial vehicle issues are:

• The Missouri State Highway Patrol and MoDOT Motor Carrier Services Division are the primary commercial vehicle enforcement agencies statewide in Missouri, and each has different areas of responsibility.
• The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Kansas City Police Department also have specialized commercial vehicle units.
• All other law enforcement agencies (police or sheriff's department) also have authority under state laws or local ordinances to enforce some of these regulations.