Farm Plates in Connecticut

AndyMA · Dec 11, 2003

I'm curious if anybody has had any experience or knowledge of Farm registration plates in Connecticut. I have a "hobby" farm there but we also grow nursery stock. I'm interested in the requirements to "prove" you're a farmer and also the cost of insurance. My F350 dump truck and trailer's commercial insurance went over $2,000 this year so I unregistered it. I'd like to get farm plates if they are much more reasonable.
Thanks for your input.

andy

BillyP · Dec 11, 2003

Andy, I don't know about Connecticut but in Oklahoma, you have to go to the courthouse and fill out papers for a farm #. So, you might check at your local courthouse.

I doubt the insurance would be any cheaper but I don't know. I do know a farm tag is $34.50, no matter what model it is.

Dave___in___CT · Dec 11, 2003

Hi...

Here's the CT Farm Registration...

Need Adobe Acrobat reader to view it...

Here's the CT DMV site... for more info...

Basically... the vehicle has to be used SOLELY for farm use... Commercial farm needs gross annual sales of at least $2,500 / year...

Hope this helps...

Dave...

AndyMA · Dec 11, 2003

Thanks Guys,

I also did a little research on my own today. They have changed the regulations in the last couple of years for startup farmers. They allow you 2 years to come up to the $2500/year or you have to pay back all of the tax savings. Also I think you need to spend an average of $2500 during your startup years to get going or they don't consider you serious.

I'm having an insurance agent get me a quote. Where's grainger12002 when I need him. (he's a conn insurance agent).

Andy

LAGEORGE · Dec 12, 2003

AndyMA, spending $2,500 should be no big deal, just go out and buy a new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif 2.5K does not go as far as it used too, so planning a budget to meet the requirements should not be to much of a stretch. Depending on your situation and scope of your hobby farm that may be more of a limiting factor due to requirement to make $2,500 in 2 years, I guess you better plant a crop that will produce something in that time. I grow Avocado and Citrus trees and the ones we are planting this year will not be producing a crop for 5 years from planting. So that would be a hardship in my case.
In California we also have Farm Plates but they are very limiting, to the point that most farmers option out of getting them. I went ahead and got what they call “special equipment” plates for my tractor and wagon. Since I road the tractor to the local supply stores and move lots of dirt and mulch. It cost me $7 dollars for 3 years for each piece of equipment. Even though they are not required it is good for tax purposes and roading since the local PD’s at times do not understand laws pertaining to farming.

George

Slamfire · Dec 12, 2003

I'd expect the LAPD to want to see off road vehicle stickers on your tractor. LASD ought to know better, there's a lot more tractors in their jurisdiction. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

AndyMA · Dec 12, 2003

Believe it or not, Conn does not require plates of any kind on tractors or farm equipment used solely for ag purchases. You only get to drive between your farms and fields and to the repair shop.

Andy

BillyP · Dec 12, 2003

Oklahoma is the same way.

Dave___in___CT · Dec 12, 2003

( Believe it or not, Conn does not require plates of any kind on tractors or farm equipment used solely for ag purchases. You only get to drive between your farms and fields and to the repair shop.

Andy )

Andy...

Have a phone number to call to get this kinda' info ?

Thanks...

Dave...

BPD239 · Dec 15, 2003

I'm not sure that a tractor can be driven to the dealer in Connecticut. A tractor can be driven on a public highway provided it isn't traveling faster than 4 miles per hour and it being used in the manner it is manufactered for. If a tractor needs a trip to the dealer it would have to be trailered, like construction equipment. Tractors can also be driven to property used on the farm, and can also be driven with implements to any other private farm.

Farm plates for motor vehicles in Connnecticut also have a restriction in the radius that can be driven from the farm....I'm not sure if it was 50 or 100 miles from the farm.

grainger12002 · Dec 15, 2003

Hey AndyMA-I am still here..........snowy but here.

ejb · Dec 15, 2003

Curious as to what the benefit of having farm plates is? I know in Mass the one benefit is you can take the plates off of one trailer and move to another without any problem (and from tractor to tractor too I think), but you still need to have the insurance on each right? I'd like to have farm plates, and I know I could qualify based on my circumstances, but just not sure what the benefits are versus the bureacratic mess you need to got thru to get them...anyone?

LAGEORGE · Dec 15, 2003

Slamfire
In our city we use LASD and they have no problem with tractors on the road but in order to get fertilizer I have to go to the neighboring city that is a police department. In addition I also have to cross a sort of four points where 4 different cities come together at one block and that can be real fun. I really have never had a problem with and without plates but I like to make sure I have the law on my side if that rookie police officer decides I am just too much of an easy target. I should add that I do not have farm plates but I do have special equipment plates. In CA. they seem to give you a bit more room to operate beyond a farm operation.

George

LBrown59 · Jan 13, 2005

( Curious as to what the benefit of having farm plates is? I know in Mass the one benefit is you can take the plates off of one trailer and move to another without any problem (and from tractor to tractor too I think), but you still need to have the insurance on each right? I'd like to have farm plates, and I know I could qualify based on my circumstances, but just not sure what the benefits are versus the bureacratic mess you need to got thru to get them...anyone? )

Curious as to what the benefit of having farm plates is.
You still need to have the insurance on each right?
=============
Cost less than regular plates.
Some insurers offer lower rates on farm vehicles

BarryinMN · Jan 13, 2005

Here in MN the farm tags cost $25 on a 1 ton dump. Commercial version costs $100. Costs depends on GVW rating. However commercial tags on a 6T bobcat trailer are about $2 cheaper than farm - go figure. Farm tags limit you to 150 mi radius of farm, cross state lines may be a no no. Same annual inspection sticker for either. Insurance did not matter either way.

I think farm tags really help out large grain trucks & semi's etc.

Changing commercial to farm took about a minute & signing a form during renewal, the clerk was really helpful pricing out the options.

sneaky_pete · Jan 13, 2005

( Curious as to what the benefit of having farm plates is?)

In Texas, I pay $6/year registration for my "farm" trailer license plate vs. $40-50/year for an ordinary one. I can only use it to transport farm supplies or livestock to and from market, etc.; amazingly, everything I haul in it manages to fall in those categories. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bird · Jan 13, 2005

Pete, what's the weight rating on your trailer registration?

sneaky_pete · Jan 13, 2005

( Pete, what's the weight rating on your trailer registration? )

3,500 lbs., it's only a single-axle 5x10' utility trailer.

Bird · Jan 13, 2005

Pete, the reason I asked was because I used to have a 5' x 10' tiltbed trailer registered as a farm trailer, and when I noticed the registration showed something like 30,000 plus pounds /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, I asked the clerk about it and she said they just registered all farm trailers for the same weight. Maybe it was just that one county office doing that. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

sneaky_pete · Jan 13, 2005

Bird,

When I registered mine (in Parker County) the girl behind the counter asked me what the weight limit was so I just gave her the axle limit. She even filled out the form for me, my first taste of small-town friendliness after moving out here. No other questions and no problem - I guess they see a lot of farm stuff out here.