January 20, 2009

Specialist: Don't let 'articulated' vehicle laws park farm trucks

Indiana State Police are enforcing state and federal transportation laws covering commercial motor vehicles, including pickup trucks that pull trailers for farm purposes, said Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs. Trucks with attached trailers are known as "articulated" vehicles, he said.

"In the last month we've had a number of calls from farmers who are somewhat confused when it comes to their pickup trucks and trailers," Whitford said. "Some have been surprised that the state police treat articulated truck and trailer combinations as a tractor-trailer or other commercial motor vehicle, if they are hauling farm products, supplies, equipment and livestock, and if the weight or weight rating of the truck-trailer and the load they're carrying is over 10,000 pounds."

By law, articulated truck-trailers with a combination gross vehicle weight rating or weight of more than 10,000 pounds must be properly registered and meet specific safety standards. Drivers of those vehicles must be at least 18 years old and have passed a U.S. Department of Transportation physical examination. Police who stop articulated vehicles are likely to ask for certain documents and inspect the truck-trailer, Whitford said.

"When the trooper comes to your window, he or she will ask for your driver's license and the registration for the truck and the trailer, as they would for any stop," he said. "Once they understand you are a farmer, they will ask for a DOT medical card and annual inspection for both the truck and trailer, and check to see if you have a fire extinguisher and reflective triangles on the vehicle. And, obviously, they're going to make sure your seatbelt is on."

Violations could result in a warning or fine.

"The penalty for noncompliance depends on the county and the number of citations you've received, but you can be looking at, on average, $150 per citation," Whitford said.

As a general rule, the DOT regulations do not apply to articulated vehicles with a gross combined weight or weight rating under 10,000 pounds, Whitford said.

Additional information on regulations dealing with the transportation of agricultural products is available in Purdue Extension publication PPP-68, "Carrying Farm Products and Supplies on Public Roads."

The publication is $1 and available through the Purdue Extension Education Store by calling toll-free 1-888-EXT-INFO (398-4636), or can be downloaded online at no charge at https://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/PPP/PPP-68.pdf

Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Source: Fred Whitford, (765) 494-1284, fwhitford@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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