Driving across public ways

[Dougster]

Here in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts (or "PRT"), drivers of *anything* that needs to operate on or cross a public way needs to be registered... period. It's all about the sales tax and fees, but that's almost a side issue in this heavy-handed socialist state. This vehicle registration law poses an interesting problem for individual owners of Kubota-style compact utility tractors who occasionally need to cross public ways but do not qualify to register and get a license plate for their vehicle under one of the allowed categories. In the PRT, you would essentially need to be a farmer (farming at least 5 acres for profit), a logger (logging with at least 10 acres for profit), an owner/operator of multiple items of construction equipment or the owner of one item of equipment over 12,000 lb (They give the example of a full-size backhoe). There may be another obscure category or two, but no way for common Joe homeowner/landowner to register his Kubota, get a plate and legally be able to drive down or cross a public way.

Now folks may say I'm crazy for wanting to pay for registration and a license plate... and would say that I should just drive down the road when no cop is looking (as most sane folks would do without a second thought)... but this has become an issue as I may be doing work for others next year all through my neighborhood and I don't wish to drag my 20-foot, 5-ton equipment trailer down the road (which will be under reconstruction) 150 to 2,500 feet just to keep the cops and RMV idiots off my back.

Does anyone know any legal way around this problem here in the PRT? What are the laws in other states? While I know few of you want to pay to register your tractors... is it even possible to do so in your state for a non-farmer?

Dougster

 

[MadReferee]

I believe that this topic was discussed in depth about a year ago.

Anyway, here in New Hampshire you can legally travel the roads without registering to get to your non-adjacent property (within a certain distance I believe) or you can simply pay the fee and get tractor plates. Construction equipment, farm equipment and agriculture equipment all have their own plates and associated restrictions. How you qualify depends. The RSA's for vehicle laws pretty much explain it all, although it is in several places.

I travel the roads all the time to get to the neighbors and the apple orchards that surround me have tractors that travel the roads on a regular basis without plates. The local police department doesn't bother anyone regarding this. Ah, it's so nice to Live Free or Die.

 

[Dougster]

I believe that this topic was discussed in depth about a year ago. Anyway, here in New Hampshire you can legally travel the roads without registering to get to your non-adjacent property (within a certain distance I believe) or you can simply pay the fee and get tractor plates. Construction equipment, farm equipment and agriculture equipment all have their own plates and associated restrictions. How you qualify depends. The RSA's for vehicle laws pretty much explain it all, although it is in several places.

Thanks Mad. I checked the archives, but I'll check again.

Remember... You live in a sane & practical state. I live in the PRT.

Dougster

 

[Dusty]

I have friends that drive there small tractors on the roads of Massachusetts and never have any problems. Possibly, since you have such a negative attitude toward the state, they have singled you out for persecution? According to this site Maine is # 1 in the tax burden and Massachusetts is # 28.
Dusty

 

[Dougster]

I have friends that drive there small tractors on the roads of Massachusetts and never have any problems. Possibly, since you have such a negative attitude toward the state, they have singled you out for persecution? According to this Maine is # 1 in the tax burden and Massachusetts is # 28.
Dusty

I admit it. I do have a bad attitude about this socialist paradise. And it's only going to get worse under our scary new "feel good" governor and our return to 100% one party rule a la Mike Dukakis. I intend to make my escape North to NH sometime soon.

But, for now, I do need to obey the law... no matter how silly it may seem to some or how many people have gotten away with ignoring the law elsewhere in this paradise. In my particular location and situation, there could be complaints and the cops would be required to respond. Trust me, it would not be a good thing.

Dougster

 

[RayH]

Everyone who hates their state of residence should move to Maryland for a year or two. After that, their state will be the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Oh yea, In WV you can drive your tractor on secondary roads with no license and no problem. Its fairly common to see tractors and backhoes travelling the secondary roads. I think its still legal to ride an ATV on secondary roads, if it hasnt been appealed yet.

 

[AndyM]

Oh yea, In WV you can drive your tractor on secondary roads with no license and no problem. Its fairly common to see tractors and backhoes travelling the secondary roads. I think its still legal to ride an ATV on secondary roads, if it hasnt been appealed yet.

Heck, if you go to certain counties in WV, you still see old pickup trucks with no license plates driving on the county roads, with the words "FARM USE" painted on the sides.

 

[RayH]

Heck, if you go to certain counties in WV, you still see old pickup trucks with no license plates driving on the county roads, with the words "FARM USE" painted on the sides.

Yep, thats common also. There is a distance restriction involved with "Farm Use", I dont recall what it is offhand. No license, title or insurance required

 

[Dougster]

Heck, if you go to certain counties in WV, you still see old pickup trucks with no license plates driving on the county roads, with the words "FARM USE" painted on the sides.

I love it! My blood pressure would go down a hundred points! Where do I sign up?

And incidentally, my post may sound like a rant, but it's really not. I am quite serious about finding a legal way to cross and travel roads in and around my neighborhood. Rants are fun, but a solution here... or just plain helpful advice... would be most appreciated!

Dougster

 

[AndyM]

I love it! My blood pressure would go down a hundred points! Where do I sign up?

Why do you think I'm trying to move over into West Virginia?
Life is better down there!

Check this out... This probably doesn't happen in the PRT!

D) Any vehicle used as an implement of husbandry exempt under this section shall have the words "farm use" affixed to both sides of the implement in ten inch letters. Any vehicle which would be subject to registration as a Class A or B vehicle if not exempted by this section shall display a farm-use exemption certificate on the lower driver's side of the windshield:

(i) The farm-use exemption certificate shall be provided by the commissioner and shall be issued annually by the assessor of the applicant's county of residence. The assessor shall issue a farm-use exemption certificate to the applicant upon his or her determination pursuant to an examination of the property books or documentation provided by the applicant that the vehicle has been properly assessed as Class I personal property. The assessor shall charge a fee of two dollars for each certificate, which shall be retained by the assessor;

(ii) A farm-use exemption certificate shall not exempt the applicant from maintaining the security required by chapter seventeen-d of this code on any vehicle being operated on the roads or highways of this state;

(iii) No person charged with the offense of operating a vehicle without a farm-use exemption certificate, if required under this section, may be convicted of the offense if he or she produces in court, or in the office of the arresting officer, a valid farm-use exemption certificate for the vehicle in question within five days