Definitions
Farm Vehicles are defined as follows: A “Farm Truck,” “Farm Trailer,” or “Farm Semitrailer and Semitractor” means a truck; trailer; or semitrailer and semitractor (combination) used for the transportation of farm products, livestock, or machinery or supplies to or from a farm or ranch. The term includes a covered farm vehicle (see Certificate of Designation as a Covered Farm Vehicle – State Form 55669). The term does not include an implement of agriculture.
Farm Product includes agricultural products. The term does not include lumber, logs, wood chips, bark, or sawdust.
Farm vehicle loaded with a farm product includes a truck hauling unprocessed leaf tobacco.
Registration Information
A vehicle may be registered as a farm vehicle if the following conditions apply:
- The vehicle must be a truck with a declared gross weight of more than 11,000 pounds, a semitractor used with a semitrailer that has a declared gross weight of more than 11,000 pounds, a trailer with a declared gross weight of more than 9,000 pounds, or a semitrailer.
- The owner of the vehicle or a guest occupant uses the vehicle in connection with agricultural pursuits usual and normal to the user’s farming operations.
- The vehicle is used to transport farm products, livestock, machinery, or supplies to or from a farm or ranch.
- The vehicle is not used:
- In the conduct of a commercial enterprise (defined in Indiana Code 9-13-2) or
- To transport farm products anywhere other than to the first point of processing.
A farm vehicle may be used for personal purposes if the vehicle otherwise qualifies for registration as a farm vehicle.
NOTE: Farm Tractors, Farm Wagons, and Implements of Agriculture may not be registered.
Farm Trucks, Farm Trailers, and Farm Semitractors are issued a license plate and registration that includes a declared gross registration weight. Find more information about “declared gross weight.”
Farm Semitrailers are issued a permanent license plate that do not display an expiration date (no expiration stickers). However, they are required to be renewed each year on or before the expiration date printed on the registration card. Farm Semitractors are not registered with a declared gross weight.
Farm Trucks and Farm Semitractors with a declared gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more require an IRS Form 2290 – Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return to be submitted to the BMV at time of registration and annually upon each renewal.
Certificate of Designation as a Covered Farm Vehicle
Certain vehicles registered as commercial vehicles may be operated for farm purposes. While being operated for farm purposes, it is not necessary to switch from the commercial license plate to a farm license plate. The registrant of the vehicle may complete the Certificate of Designation as a Covered Farm Vehicle and carry the certificate in the vehicle while operating as a farm vehicle. This form allows the operator of the commercial vehicle to utilize the farm vehicle exemptions outlined in Federal Code 49 CFR 390.39 and must be carried in the vehicle at all times when being operated for farm purposes.
A vehicle registered with a Farm license plate is not required to carry the Certificate of Designation as a Covered Farm Vehicle during farm operations.
The Certificate of Designation as a Covered Farm Vehicle – State Form 55669 is a “self-certifying” form to be completed by the customer, if needed, and is not collected by the BMV or any other agency.
Registration Fees and Taxes
See the Fee Chart for available registration weights and registration fees.
Farm Trucks, Farm Trailers, and Farm Semitractors are charged the following fees and taxes annually:
- Registration fee (based on declared gross weight)
- Commercial Vehicle Excise Tax (CVET)
- County Vehicle Wheel Tax (if assessed in County of registration)
- Municipal Vehicle Wheel Tax (if assessed in Municipality of registration)
- Electric/Hybrid Registration Fee (if vehicle is electric or hybrid)
- For Farm Trucks and Farm Semitractors with a declared gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less, a Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee (TIIF)
Farm Semitrailers are charged the following fees and taxes:
- One-time Registration Fee
- Annual Commercial Vehicle Excise Tax (CVET)
- Annual County Vehicle Wheel Tax (if assessed in County of registration)
- Annual Municipal Vehicle Wheel Tax (if assessed in Municipality of registration)
Registration Renewal Options
May be renewed online, at a Kiosk location, or by phone (phone renewals require the phone access code that is printed on your renewal notice):
- Farm Trucks, Farm Trailers, and Farm Semitractors that do not require an IRS Form 2290 (see above)
- Farm Semitrailers
At a BMV branch, provider location, or by mail (using your renewal notice):
- Farm Trucks, Farm Trailers, and Farm Semitractors that require an IRS Form 2290 (see above)
Contact Information
Contact the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division with questions related to farm vehicles and farm vehicle operation, including exemptions.
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
7811 Milhouse Road, Suite S
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Email: CVEDInfoandHelpline@isp.in.gov
Telephone: 317-615-7373
Fax: 317-237-2116