Virginia Farm Vehicle Insurance: What's Required?

In Virginia, farm vehicles are subject to specific registration and insurance requirements. Farmers have different registration options for vehicles used on their farms, including standard license plates, 'F-tags' for registered farm vehicles, and DMV-issued permanent farm use placards for unregistered farm vehicles. Unregistered farm vehicles must be insured under a general liability policy or motor vehicle insurance policy, and proof of insurance is required when registering a vehicle for farming purposes. The specific insurance requirements vary depending on the type of vehicle and its usage, but farm vehicles must comply with Virginia's minimum coverage limits.

Registration options for farm vehicles in Virginia

In Virginia, farmers have multiple registration options for vehicles used on their farms. The type of plates or placard displayed on the vehicle determines how it may be used.

Standard License Plate

Farmers can choose to display a standard license plate, which indicates that the vehicle is registered for unrestricted use.

"F-tag"

An "F-tag" indicates that the vehicle is registered for farm use. To register a vehicle with an F-tag, it must have a gross weight of 7,500 pounds or more and meet titling and insurance requirements. The registration fee for a farm vehicle is half the cost of a private vehicle, with a minimum fee of $15.

F-tag vehicles can be used to transport agricultural products, farm supplies, equipment, and materials, as well as anything related to the routine operation of the farm. They can also be used for non-farm purposes, but only for the personal use of the owner and their immediate family for specific activities like attending church, seeking medical treatment, or obtaining household necessities. Operating an F-tag vehicle for non-farm use on a Virginia highway is a Class 2 misdemeanour.

DMV-Issued Permanent Farm Use Placard

Beginning July 1, 2024, unregistered farm-use panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles will be required to display a DMV-issued permanent farm use placard. This placard costs $15 and is valid as long as the vehicle is used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes on lands owned or leased by the owner.

The placard permits the vehicle to be operated along a highway for a distance of up to 75 miles from one part of the owner's land to another. It can also be used for transporting the vehicle owner between their residence and the land for agricultural purposes, as well as for obtaining supplies, transporting farm produce and livestock, and other specific purposes.

Requirements for operating registered and unregistered farm vehicles

Farmers in Virginia have different registration options for vehicles used on their farms. The type of plates or placards displayed on a vehicle determines how it can be used.

Registered Farm Vehicles (F-tag)

To register a vehicle as a farm vehicle, it must meet the following requirements:

• The vehicle must have a gross weight of 7,500 pounds or more.
• The vehicle must meet titling requirements, with some exceptions for farm tractors, special construction and forestry equipment, farm machinery, and farm utility vehicles.
• The vehicle must meet insurance requirements. When registering, the owner must certify that the vehicle is insured and meets Virginia's minimum coverage limits.
• The owner must provide the location and acreage of the farm, the type of commodity farmed, and the approximate amounts produced annually.
• The owner must provide a signed statement that the vehicle will be used only for authorized purposes.

Valid uses for a registered farm vehicle include:

• Transporting agricultural products to market or to other points for sale or processing.
• Transporting materials, tools, equipment, or supplies that will be used or consumed on the farm.
• Transporting farm produce, supplies, equipment, or materials to another farm through a mutual agreement with the other farm owner.
• Transporting forest products to the farm, including forest materials originating on a farm or related to its regular operation.

Unregistered Farm Vehicles

Beginning July 1, 2024, unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles must display a DMV-issued permanent farm use placard. This placard costs \$15 and requires an application to be filled out. The application will require information such as the vehicle's year, make, model, and vehicle identification number, as well as details about the farm itself.

Unregistered farm vehicles are subject to insurance requirements and must be insured under a general liability policy that includes personal injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance. Failure to provide proof of insurance within 30 days when required by a law enforcement officer can result in a \$600 fine.

Valid uses for an unregistered farm vehicle include:

• Operating along a highway for a distance of no more than 75 miles from one part of the owner's land to another.
• Taking the vehicle to and from a repair shop for repairs.
• Operating along a highway to and from a refuse disposal facility for the purpose of disposing of trash generated on a farm.
• Operating along a highway for a distance of no more than 75 miles to obtain supplies for agricultural or horticultural purposes.
• Transporting the vehicle owner between their residence and the land being used for agricultural or horticultural purposes.

Insurance requirements for vehicles with F-tags

In Virginia, farmers have different registration options for vehicles used on their farms. Registered farm vehicles are identified by an "F-tag" and unregistered farm vehicles will require a DMV-issued permanent farm use placard from July 1, 2024.

To register a vehicle as a farm vehicle, it must meet the insurance requirements set out by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. When registering the vehicle, you must certify that it is insured and meets Virginia's minimum coverage limits as set forth in the Code of Virginia § 46.2-472.

Farm vehicles must be insured under a general liability policy that includes personal injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance, under a policy of motor vehicle insurance, or under an umbrella or excess insurance policy. Failure to furnish proof of insurance within 30 days when required by a law enforcement officer is a traffic infraction punishable by a $600 fine. Customers cannot self-insure.

Alternatively, you can pay the $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee at the time of registration. (Va. Code § 46.2-706)

Farm vehicle registration costs

In Virginia, farmers have multiple registration options for vehicles used on their farms. The type of plates or placards displayed on a vehicle determines how it may be used.

Farmers can choose from the following options:

• Standard license plate (for registered, unrestricted use vehicles)
• "F-tag" (for registered farm use vehicles)
• DMV-issued permanent farm use placard (for unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles)

The DMV-issued permanent farm use placard, which became mandatory for certain unregistered farm vehicles on July 1, 2024, costs $15.00. If you don't already hold the title for the vehicle, there is an additional $15 titling fee.

Additional Requirements and Considerations

When registering a farm vehicle, it's important to note that the vehicle must meet certain requirements, including having a gross weight of 7,500 pounds or more, as per the Virginia Code § 46.2-698. Additionally, farm vehicles must be titled and insured, complying with Virginia's minimum coverage limits as set out in the Code of Virginia § 46.2-472.

Farm vehicles with F-tags are restricted in their non-farm use. This use is generally limited to personal and essential activities for the owner and their immediate family, such as attending church, school, or medical appointments, and securing household or family necessities. Operating an F-tagged vehicle for non-farm purposes on a Virginia highway is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

It's important to provide accurate information during the registration process, as knowingly making a false statement on a registration application is a Class 6 felony, as outlined in the Virginia Code § 46.2-605.

Non-farm use of vehicles with F-tags

In Virginia, farmers have several options when registering vehicles used on their farms. They can opt for regular tags, F-tags, or post "Farm Use" on their vehicle. The choice depends on how the vehicle will be used and the applicable legal rights and limitations.

Registration requirements for F-tags

To register a vehicle with an F-tag, it must have a gross weight of 7,500 pounds or more. The registration fee is half the cost of a private vehicle, with a minimum of $15. In addition, a registration certificate, license plates, decals, and insurance are required for F-tags.

Farm Use

Farm Use vehicles have the most restrictive usage policies. They can only be used on the highway for the following reasons:

• Travelling between the farmer's tracts of land that are no more than 30 miles apart.
• Taking the vehicle to the repair shop for repairs.
• Taking trash and garbage generated on the farm to the landfill or disposal facility.
• Obtaining farm supplies from locations no more than 30 miles away.
• Transporting farm produce and livestock on a seasonal basis within 30 miles or to the nearest market, packing plant, or storage house within 50 miles.

Frequently asked questions