According to the Department of Transportation any vehicle with a gross weight greater than 10,001 lbs. is considered a commercial vehicle. Farm vehicles are exempt from federal commercial vehicle regulations within 100 airline miles of the farm during planting and harvest seasons as defined by the state Department of Transportation.
Many farmers operate their own trucks in order to carry goods to rail, barge, or market terminals.
This has become necessary as more traditional modes of transportation, such as rail, prove expensive, unreliable, or unavailable. Farm Bureau is concerned that the pending rule may effectively invalidate the existing agricultural exemption. However, senior DOT officials have expressed to carefully consider the views of the regulated community. Legislation to prevent DOT from implementing an Hours of Service Regulation has been introduced in the 107th Congress. Legal Notice American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau and the FB Logo are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation.