Missouri is a flourishing farm state with 87,887 farms growing mainly corn, soybeans, and hay, as well as raising livestock. Two-thirds of the state’s acreage supports the farming industry. Motorists in Missouri have a duty to remain vigilant to the presence of farm vehicles entering roadways and driving along with typical traffic. A farm vehicle may share the roadway in Missouri during specific hours as long as the vehicle is properly equipped. Before taking a tractor or other farming vehicle on the road, it’s important to know the state’s regulations and requirements both for safety and to avoid citations. Likewise, motorists in Missouri must know their legal duty of care when sharing the road with farm vehicles. Let our Kansas City car accident attorneys can help navigate this complex issue for you.
What Regulations Must Farm Vehicle Drivers Follow When Sharing the Road With Motorists in Missouri?
Whether growing corn or soybeans or harvesting grapes in Missouri’s “bootheel” region, farmers and their workers must carefully adhere to state regulations, including the following:
- Farmers should avoid operating on roadways at dusk or dawn as often as possible due to reduced visibility to drivers; however, it is legal for farm vehicles to use roads between sunrise and sunset when engaged in agricultural activities and equipped with proper lighting
- Agricultural vehicles must have at least one white front light visible from 500 feet, one rear red light visible from 500 feet behind, and hazard lights which should be used when operating on public roads
- Farm vehicles in Missouri must have a “Slow-Moving Traffic” sign or emblem visible from behind
- Farm vehicle drivers must drive as far to the right side of the road as possible to allow for passing
- When traffic accumulates behind the farm vehicle, the driver must pull off the road in a safe area to the right to allow backed-up traffic to pass
- Agricultural vehicle drivers with rollover bars must wear a seatbelt while operating on the roadways
- An ATV used on a public road for agricultural purposes must be equipped with a flag, a “Slow Moving Vehicle” emblem, and proper front and back lights. ATV riders under the age of 18 must wear helmets and helmets are recommended for all riders
- Farm vehicle drivers must be over the age of 18 when operating on public roads in Missouri or over the age of 21 when crossing state lines
- Farm vehicle operators must adhere to other state laws for operating agricultural vehicles when crossing state lines
- Farm vehicles that operate only in Missouri must display the name of their farm if their agricultural vehicle requires a license plate with an “F” tab
- Operating a farm vehicle on an interstate requires a permit from MoDOT if the vehicle size or load size exceeds the state’s limit
- During harvest season, agricultural vehicles hauling corn or grain may exceed the weight limit on highways other than interstates by up to ten percent
Those operating farm vehicles on Missouri roadways have a legal duty of care to avoid distractions and follow all traffic laws in addition to meeting the above regulations.
What Qualifies as a Farm Vehicle in Missouri?
Missouri adopted the same laws as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) to classify trucks and farm vehicles. According to this regulation, a covered farm vehicle in Missouri:
- Is a straight truck or articulated vehicle, and
- Is registered as a farm vehicle with an “F” tab affixed to the license
plate, and - Is operated by the farm’s owner, employee or owner’s family
member, and - Is used to transport agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery
or supplies to or from a farm or ranch, and - Is not used in for-hire operation (hauling for pay or in trade)
- Is not used to transport commodities requiring the display of a hazardous materials placard.
For more qualifying conditions, see here.
Is a License Required to Drive a Farm Vehicle on Public Roads?
Anyone who operates a commercial vehicle, even if they are unpaid, is considered a driver. Drivers must meet age requirements, speak English, and have the appropriate operating license. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required under these conditions:
- A truck’s gross vehicular weight exceeds 26,000 pounds
- A combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross combination weight of 26,001 lbs. or more with a trailer that has a GVWR, or gross weight, of 10,001 or more pounds, whichever is greater
- A truck of any size which must be placarded to comply with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
When is a CDL Not Required in Missouri?
If all of these conditions are met, a CDL is not required to operate a covered farm vehicle:
- A farmer transports their own agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies to or from their farm. (If the goods are not for farm use or belong to someone other than the farmer, a CDL is required), and
- The move is completed entirely within Missouri, or
- The move is completed across state lines, but remains within 150 air miles of the operator’s farm or ranch, and
- The driver is a farmer, family member of the farmer or an employee of the farm, operating a CMV for farm use, and
- The load does not have to be placarded for hazardous materials, and
- The vehicle is not used in a for-hire operation.
What Missouri Motorists Must Know About Sharing the Road With Farm Vehicles
Motorists who encounter farm vehicles on public roadways in Missouri must be patient and only pass when it is safe to do so with a clear view ahead. Motorists should also be careful to avoid common left-turn collisions which occur when a farm vehicle moves to the right to make a wide left turn. Drivers who do not note the farm vehicle driver’s signals may interpret this as an invitation to pass, causing a collision.
How Can a Missouri Accident Attorney Help?
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries with damages in an accident involving farm vehicles on the road in Missouri, call Miller & Hine Attorneys at Law for experienced legal representation in this unique area of Missouri law.