Farm Vehicle Laws and Exemptions for Carrying in a Vehicle

Those of you that have been RI Farm Bureau members for quite a while may recall the yellow cardstock slips that were available to you to be kept in you vehicle in case of a motor vehicle stop. These slim sheets provided relevant RIGL to discuss with a police officer in the case of any stop where farm plated vehicles would not be required to comply with laws which apply to most vehicles. That page is shown below as a single sided sheet which you may view. To print the sheet, click HERE.

Farm Vehicle Laws and Exemptions for Carrying in Vehicle Plus Reg

There are a number of laws referred to in this sheet that I will link in full below:

RIGL 31-1-8 Farm Vehicle defined

RIGL 31-3-2 (b) and (c) : Vehicles Subject to Registration Describes circumstances where a farm vehicle is exempt from registration requirement.

RIGL 31-3-31 Registration of Farm Vehicles Please note, while only one farm plate has been issued with a registration for a long time, the newest Farm Plates have been given in a set of 2.

RIGL 31-25-2 (2): Vehicles Exempt from Limitations of Size, Load and Weight Limits. Farm Vehicle Exception- This section is most often used in regards to silage loads not requiring a cover. Farm Vehicles are Exempt from 31-25-10 Fastening of Load and Covering

RIGL 31-10.3-16 Persons Exempt from Licensing

Regulations for the Safety Inspection of Farm Vehicles: Includes content on Inspection; Registration; Size, Weight and Load Limits; Slow Moving Vehicle Emblem.

Updated September 2021

Farm Bureau® is a free, independent, nongovernmental and voluntary organization of farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing agricultural problems and formulating action to achieve educational awareness and social advancement, and thereby, to promote the national well-being. Farm Bureau® is non-partisan and is local, statewide, national and international in its scope and influence. Farm Bureaus are located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Isn’t Farm Bureau an insurance company?
Rhode Island Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots advocacy organization. American National (formerly Farm Family Insurance) is a separate entity and insurance discounts with American National are one of many valuable benefits available to Farm Bureau members.

Interested in Starting a Farm? Look at our “So You Want to Start a Farm” sheet which has a lot of resources to help you as you grow your new or existing farm.

Click Here for the Guide

This compilation, issued by the RI Farm Bureau, is designed to be a guide for farmers to the maze of Rhode Island General Laws specific to agriculture. It does not make the maze simpler. It just enables finding where specific issues are located within the maze. Its purpose is to help farmers be more efficient in finding the provisions of law that apply to their operations. (Use Ctrl-F to search the document.)

Save 20% off budget Truck rentals

Rhode Island Farm Bureau members can now save 20% off Budget Truck Rental! Use your discount to save 20% on consumer rental rates and mileage charges on Budget Truck’s broad range of offerings, from cargo vans up to 26’ box trucks!

*Farm Bureau Exclusive Cash Reward is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Exclusive Cash Reward on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2022/2023/2024 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty or 2023/2024 Ford F-150 Lightning®. This incentive is not available on Ranger Raptor®, F-150 Raptor, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty.

This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by January 2, 2024. See your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #38656. Click here for more information.

RIFB Member Benefit! Dungarees.com
For top brands of clothing, work wear and boots. Receive 10% off orders under $200 and 15% off orders over $200!

RIFB Benefit! Wyndham Hotels: Farm Bureau Members receive up to 20% off the Best Available Rate* at approximately 8,000 participating hotels worldwide.

Farm Bureau members receive special access to the John Deere Rewards Program. Go to www.johndeere.com/FarmBureau
to find out more about John Deere Rewards!

RIFB is looking for some great photos of our member farms to use on the website or in promotional emails. If you have a photo (or two or three) of your farm, would you be willing to share them with us? Your farm from a drone, sunsets or sunrise over your fields, produce or livestock, family working together (remember… only photos showing safe practices, please), anything you’d be pleased to see on another Farm Bureau’s site or on FB or Instagram. Please make sure you either took the photo or have permission to share. Send your pictures to rifarm@rifb.org.