Source: http://www.pfb.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=364:trailers&Itemid=162
Timestamp: 2015-01-29 10:14:37
Document Index: 190343389

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 11', '§ 1302', '§ 1302', '§ 1302', '§ 1302', '§ 1920', '§ 1920', '§ 1920']

Generally, a trailer operated on Pennsylvania roads is required to be registered. However, a trailer can be exempt from registration if the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) determines that the trailer is used exclusively for agricultural purposes and only operated within 25 miles of a farm operated by the owner of the trailer, as stated in section 1302 of Pennsylvania’s Motor Vehicle Code. The Department has determined by regulation that farm wagons, field equipment (choppers, disc harrows, cultivators, balers and the like) and vehicles designed to haul and apply fertilizers and insecticides during daylight hours and not operated more than 25 miles per hour are exclusively used in agriculture (PaDOTRegs § 11.2). Because trailers have the potential to be used for both agricultural and non-agricultural operations, law enforcement officers are often reluctant to recognize this exemption from registration, even when the trailer is being used for agricultural purposes at the time the officer stops the vehicle. Therefore, if you feel that a trailer you own would qualify for this exemption, send a letter to PennDOT requesting specific declaration that your trailer is exempt from registration because it is used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Send your letters to:
Anita Wasko, Director Bureau of Motor Vehicles 1101 South Front Street, 4th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516
1. Your name, address, and phone number2. Make and model of trailer3. Trailer’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)4. Photo of trailer5. Description of your use of the trailer6. Request that this trailer be exempted from registration requirements under 75 Pa. C.S.A. Section 1302(2) Farm trailers exempt from registration may only be operated on:• Roads that adjoin the trailer owner’s farm (PVC § 1302(2)(i));• Roads between the trailer owner’s farms located not more than 25 miles apart (PVC § 1302(2)(ii)); or • Roads between the trailer owner’s farm and a place of business within a radius of 25-miles of the farm for the purpose of buying or selling agricultural commodities or supplies or for the purpose of repairing or servicing the trailer (PVC § 1302(2)(iii)).
The Vehicle Code also exempts from registration any trailer to be used primarily for off-highway use and only operated incidentally upon the highway (PVC § 1302(11)).In all other situations, the trailer must be registered annually. The registration fee for trailers is $6 for trailers registered at 3,000 pounds gross weight or less, $12 for trailers registered between 3,001 and 10,000 pounds gross weight, and $27 for trailers registered at greater than 10,000 pounds gross weight (PVC § 1920)(a)) Owners of trailers registered at 10,000 pounds or less may obtain a 5-year registration for the trailer at 5 times the annual fee (PVC § 1920(b)). Owners of trailers registered at greater10,000 pounds may obtain a permanent registration for the trailer at a fee of $135 (PVC § 1920(c)).
Additional Information: Also note that revisions to federal intrastate and interstate driver regulations may impact trailers operated as part of your operation. Please see this page for additional information.