Implements of husbandry which are only incidentally operated or moved over a highway and implements of husbandry listed in Section 36005 or 36015 are exempt from registration.
Chapter 2Registration of Implements of Husbandry
Section § 36100
This law states that farming equipment, known as implements of husbandry, which is primarily used off the highway and only occasionally moved on highways, does not need to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Additionally, any farming equipment that falls under the types listed in Section 36005 or 36015 is also exempt from registration.
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Section § 36101
This law explains which farm vehicles in California are exempt from registration under specific conditions. These vehicles must show an identification plate, and include certain motor vehicles used by farmers for tasks like carrying farm products, water tank trucks for irrigation, cotton module movers, dryers for agricultural commodities, and more. Although they are exempt from registration, they still need to meet safety and equipment standards. Some of these vehicles, like cotton module movers, have specific rules to retain their exemption, while others, like trucks used in melon production, have restrictions on speed and distance when used on highways.
The following farm vehicles are exempt from registration, if they have and display an identification plate as specified in Section 5014, and the vehicles shall not be deemed to be implements of husbandry and they shall be subject to all equipment and device requirements as if registered:
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(a) A motor vehicle of a size so as to require a permit under Section 35780 owned and operated by a farmer, designed and used exclusively for carrying, or returning empty from carrying, feed and seed products of farming, and used on a highway between one part of a farm to another part of that farm or from one farm to another farm.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(b) A vehicle equipped with a water tank owned by a farmer and used exclusively to service his or her own implements of husbandry.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(c) A water tank truck that is owned by a farmer, not operated for compensation, and used extensively in the conduct of agricultural operations, when used exclusively (1) for sprinkling water on dirt roads providing access to agricultural fields or (2) transportation of water for irrigation of crops or trees.
(d)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)(1) A cotton module mover, as defined in Section 36012.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)(2) In order to maintain the exemption from registration granted under this subdivision for a truck tractor, when combined with a semitrailer, the owner of that truck tractor shall not operate it during the exemption period in any manner other than as a cotton module mover, as defined in Section 36012, and shall do all of the following:
(A)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)(2)(A) Register the vehicle with the department before operating it as a commercial motor vehicle.
(B)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)(2)(B) Apply to the department on a yearly basis for any renewal of the exemption from registration.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)(3) Exemption from registration under this subdivision does not exempt a truck tractor, when combined with a semitrailer, operating as a cotton module mover pursuant to Section 36012 and this subdivision from the applicable safety requirements of this code or any regulation adopted pursuant to any statute, including, but not limited to, equipment standards, driver licensing requirements, maximum driving and on-duty hours provisions, log book requirements, drug and alcohol testing, maintenance of vehicles, and any driver or vehicle standards specified in Division 14.8 (commencing with Section 34500).
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(d)(4) Truck tractors exempt from registration under this subdivision are subject to the fees imposed under Sections 9250, 9250.8, and 9250.13, and to any other vehicle fees that are imposed by statute on or after January 1, 1998, that are deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account.
(e)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(e) A trailer that is equipped with a plenum chamber for the drying of agricultural commodities.
(f)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(f) Except as provided in subdivision (j) of Section 36005, a trap wagon, as defined in Section 36016, that is equipped with a fuel tank or tanks. The fuel tank or tanks shall not exceed 3,000 gallons total capacity.
(g)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(g) A forklift truck, operated by a farmer not for compensation. For purposes of this section, a hay-squeeze shall be deemed a forklift.
(h)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(h) A truck tractor or truck tractor and semitrailer combination specified in this subdivision that is owned by a farmer and operated on the highways only incidental to a farming operation and not for compensation. This subdivision applies only to truck tractors with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds that are equipped with all-wheel drive and off-highway traction tires on all wheels, and only to semitrailers used in combination with that truck tractor and exclusively in the production or harvesting of melons. The vehicles specified in this subdivision shall not be operated in excess of 25 miles per hour on the highways.
The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may, by regulation, prohibit the vehicles specified in this subdivision from operating on specific routes. These vehicles shall not be operated laden on the highway for more than two miles from the point of origin and shall not be operated for more than 30 miles unladen on the highway from the point of origin. These vehicles shall not be operated for more than 15 miles unladen on the highway from the point of origin, unless accompanied by an escort vehicle to the front, and an escort vehicle to the rear.
(i)CA Vehicle Code § 36101(i) A motor vehicle specifically designed for, and used exclusively in, an agricultural operation for purposes of carrying, or returning empty from carrying, silage that is operated by a farmer, an employee of the farmer, or a contracted employee of the farmer between one part of a farm to another part of that farm or from one farm to another farm, on a highway for a distance not to exceed 20 miles from the point of origin of the trip. This subdivision does not include a vehicle that is used for the transportation of silage for retail sales.
For the purposes of this subdivision, “silage” includes field corn, sorghum, grass, legumes, cereals, or cereal mixes, either green or mature, converted into feed for livestock.
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Section § 36102
This law states that certain vehicles don't need to be registered if they have specific identification plates. They must meet the same equipment and device standards as registered vehicles unless they're used as implements of husbandry. The exemptions include automatic bale wagons when not loaded and traveling short distances, and specific motor vehicles used solely by farmers to haul feed for livestock, as long as they're operating within five miles between two properties owned by the same farmer. Usage is restricted to local roads and requires a permit; compensation for transportation is not allowed.
The following vehicles are exempt from registration if they have and display identification plates, as specified in Section 5014; and these vehicles, except when operated pursuant to subdivision (k) of Section 36005, shall not be deemed to be implements of husbandry and they shall be subject to all equipment and device requirements as if registered:
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 36102(a) An automatic bale wagon operated unladen on a highway.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 36102(b) An automatic bale wagon when transporting baled hay or straw for a distance of not more than five continuous road miles on a highway from one parcel of property owned, leased, or controlled by a farmer to another parcel of property owned, leased, or controlled by such farmer.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 36102(c) A motor vehicle which is designed for, and used exclusively to, haul feed for livestock and which is owned and operated exclusively by a farmer or an employee of a farmer. A vehicle exempted by this subdivision may be operated only on those highways that are maintained by local authorities, only pursuant to a permit issued as provided in Section 35780 by the local authority having jurisdiction over the highways used, and only for a distance of not more than five continuous road miles from one parcel of property owned, leased, or controlled by the farmer to another parcel of property owned, leased, or controlled by the farmer. This subdivision does not apply to transportation for compensation.
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Section § 36105
If you're a farmer in California, any trailer or semitrailer you own that is used only to carry your farm equipment, portable toilets, shade trailers, or tools for farming doesn't need to be registered.
A trailer or semitrailer owned and used exclusively by a farmer to haul his or her own implements of husbandry, portable sanitary facility, shade trailer, or tools used exclusively for the production or harvesting of agricultural products is exempt from registration.
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Section § 36109
Farm trailers that weigh 10,000 pounds or less do not need to be registered, except they must still comply with certain regulations mentioned in Section 5014.
“Farm trailers,” as defined in Section 36010, having a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less, are exempt from registration except that Section 5014 shall apply to such trailers.
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Section § 36115
This California law allows owners of certain farming equipment, which doesn't need to be registered, to obtain a special identification plate from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Manufacturers and dealers of such equipment can apply for and receive multiple identification plates for their inventory.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 36115(a) Any person who owns an implement of husbandry which is exempt from registration may obtain an identification plate as provided in Section 5014 for the implement.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 36115(b) The department shall issue an identification plate as applied for to any manufacturer or dealer of an implement of husbandry which is exempt from registration as provided in Section 5016.5. That manufacturer or dealer may obtain more than one plate.
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Section § 36130
Starting January 1, 1986, anyone applying for new identification plates for certain vehicles must follow the rules in Sections 5014 or 5016.5. Plates that expired in 1983 can't be renewed, so owners need to apply for new ones under the same sections. From 1987 onwards, any old identification plates will be canceled upon expiration, and vehicle owners must apply for new plates as per the guidelines in Sections 5014 or 5016.5.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 36130(a) On and after January 1, 1986, original applications for identification plates on vehicles specified in Division 16 (commencing with Section 36000) shall be submitted pursuant to Section 5014 or Section 5016.5.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 36130(b) Effective January 1, 1986, identification plates that expired on December 31, 1983, shall not be eligible for renewal. Applicants shall apply for identification plates pursuant to Section 5014 or Section 5016.5.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 36130(c) Commencing with 1987 renewals, all expiring identification plates are canceled and owners of vehicles defined in Division 16 (commencing with Section 36000), that are required to display these plates, shall submit applications pursuant to Section 5014 or Section 5016.5.
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