Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

South Dakota farm vehicles or combinations of vehicles are exempt from parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, if the vehicle:

• is operated by a farm or ranch owner or operator, including employees and family members;
• is used to transport agricultural commodities, livestock, or machinery or supplies to a farm or ranch; and
• is not transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards.

The power unit must be equipped with a license plate that designates the vehicle as a “FARM” vehicle (Covered Farm Vehicle or CFV), or the operator must possess a completed “Designation as a South Dakota Farm Vehicle” form that can be downloaded at https://sdtruckinfo.sd.gov.

If the vehicle combination GVWR is 26,001 pounds or less, carriers may use the exemption anywhere they are operating in the U.S.

If the vehicle combination GVWR is greater than 26,001 pounds, carriers may use the exemption anywhere within:

• the State in which the vehicle is registered; and
• a 150 air-mile radius of the farm or ranch.

Operators of a Covered Farm Vehicle operated within their authorized area are exempt from:

• 49 CFR Part 383: Commercial Driver’s License Standards; Requirements and Penalties;
• 49 CFR Part 382: Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing;
• 49 CFR Part 391 Subpart E: Physical Qualifications and Examinations;
• 49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service; and
• 49 CFR Part 396: Inspection, Repair and Maintenance documentation.