License plate for a tractor to drive on the road?

[Greenland South]

When I financed my tractor, one of the conditions was it be insured for the value of the loan. So I went to my home insurance broker. It turned out I could get better coverage by putting a plate on it. So now I have a couple million liability and all peril replacement insurance. Made sense in my situation.

 

[Sysop]

In WV, if you hit a vehicle that has a slow moving vehicle sign displayed and/or hazard flashers on, you are at fault in all circumstances. My full coverage automobile policies cover anything I drive that is otherwise legal to be on the road whether it be an ATV or my tractor. As has been recommended previously, I do advise making sure you are "covered" beyond the simple legality of driving from point A to point B. It sounds like your local municipality may have local ordinances that differ from the state laws. If the local PD says ya can't do it, they'll likely stop you no matter what your county or state police have to say about it.

 

[davrow]

In 'rural' parts of California I see farm (in Northern California mostly winery) vehicles on the road. No special conditions.

I have never seen a construction vehicle on the road, only towed on a trailer.

I think if you are using it for construction purposes other than on your own land, you will be hassled (at least) and most probably cited.

California police do NOT like to deal with exceptions, and always (almost) take the stand 'guilty until proven innocent'.

 

[RG1]

In Michigan, all you need to have are flashing lights, and a SMV emblem to be legal for driving on the road with any kind of farm, ag or construction equipment. You must follow all laws that everyone else does when coming to stop signs, lights etc, and if your machine is capable of surpassing the speed limit where you are driving, then you must stay under that speed. Your ops manual tells what that speed is, so you need to know it and be aware of how fast you are driving. No driving on interstate highways for any reason, but divided highways are legal even though it may not be the best thing to do depending on traffic.

You must stay as far to the side of the shoulder as is practical when regular traffic is present, and pull over at the first easily accessible place that is safe to do so when traffic starts backing up behind you.

I have driven right through busy traffic and sat at lights at main intersections just like I was in my truck when I had my JD 4500. Most folks go out of their way to make it easy for you, and smile and wave, but there's always at least one **** brain that has to try to cut you off, so be prepared for it. Here, if they hit you from behind, they are at fault- period.

I called my insurance agent before I ever drove on public roads, and he said my HO ins covers me when out on public roads as long as I am following all applicable laws. YMMV

 

[bravo2zero]

Here in Alabama, no license and no tag required. But you will want to use common sense when cars are trying to pass, move to the side. I hate getting behind a tractor for miles and the fellow won't even allow others to pass, and we are talking mid size tractors.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Shoot, North Dakota has no minimum speed on its interstate highways so tractors can drive on them! LOL

 

[Wakey]

I drive mine to get diesel. There is no way I'm filling the DK40 with gas cans.

If I had a Go Pro camera I'd film it, discretely. LOL Last time was morning rush hour and you would have thought I was riding a unicorn.

Nobody knows we have a farm tucked off the road, they assume it's all McMansions.

 

[skyhook]

In Ontario Canada, no plates required, and no registration or ownerships for tractors.
Just your bill of sale as proof of ownership.
You do need a drivers license.
In Quebec Canada, you need to be plated and insured, oh, and speak french too.

 

[sleepybozo]

Here's a link to CA DMV to get you started: CA DMV Vehicle Code Index. Scroll down to "IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY".

There's a small search field in the upper right-hand corner of all the DMV pages. You may want to use it after checking the index, because the index doesn't cover everything, for instance this one: V C Section 24615 Slow Moving Vehicle Emblem.

Be prepared to feel frustration as you search and read. Search results seem rather erratic, ("tractor", "farm tractor", "implement of husbandry" will all get different results, none of them alone will get all the information you may want/need.) Documents are in legalize, as you might expect.

In brief, my understanding (and I am most definitely not a lawyer) is that you *do* need a Slow Moving Vehicle placard (if you're operating at less than 25 mph) at the rear of the vehicle or combination of vehicles (if you're towing a trailer the placard needs to be on the rear of the trailer), more than 3 feet above the ground, but no higher than 5 feet. You are *not* required to register or get a license plate (unless you have a really huge tractor, in which case you need a special permit, or maybe if you're operating faster than 25 mph), and you *may* (but are not required to) get an "Identification Plate" (I don't know what purpose this serves or why you would get one, but you can if you want.)

What I do: SMV placard placed permanently on the rear of the tractor, another that can be temporarily mounted on anything I might be towing. The only lights the tractor came with were headlights, so I use them and have some clamp-on flashing lights I mount on or near the placard or at the left rear. I don't know if they're legal or not, but I'd rather be seen than be legal. And I stick reflectors all over everything. I prefer not to be on the road after dusk, but sometimes things happen.

Hope this helps, and have fun reading that legal stuff. *Don't* take my word for it!

 

[buickanddeere]

US and Canada only require a slow moving vehicle sign. The farm machinery, road work equipment, equipment of animal husbandry etc. must not exceed 25mph. Must stay off limited access high speed roadways. Otherwise it becomes highway motor vehicle and subject to and requiring everything a highway fifth wheel tractor would require .
Every now and again the local cops growl at the Immigrant farmers. They tend to bring their European spec tractors with them . 50 or 60Kph are common speeds.
The local lads at the dealership were out for a rip in a JCB tractor and passed some putt putt Sunday driver on the road. The indignant putt putt driver called the cops to complain.