Use of Farm Plates
Farm plated trucks and towed trailers may be used to transport farm products, commodities, supplies, equipment, building and maintenance items owned by the farmer, including gravel, rocks, sand and lumber to a farm for use on the farm.
A farmer may truck the same items for another farmer anytime during the year provided the trucking is done for free.
A farmer may only charge another farmer for trucking these items during the months of September, October and November.
Farm plated trucks and towed trailers may also be used for the farmer’s personal transportation and use, including moving personal effects, such as household and hobby items, recreational and pleasure use.
This personal privilege only extends to the person or persons who actually own the farm. This privilege does not extend to family members, employees or other persons.
Prohibited Use of Farm Plates
Trucking logs, pulpwood or rocks from a forest, quarry or mine cannot use farm plates.
Farm Plates and Logs/Lumber
The cutting of trees for purposes of production of paper by pulp mills or for purposes of processing these logs for lumber is a forestry operation. If it is demonstrated that the transportation of these items is to supply the farm, farm plates may be used.
Farm Plates and Rocks/Sand/Gravel
The removal of rocks or stone is a mining or quarry operation and not related to the tilling or the production of an agricultural product by a farmer. If it is demonstrated that the transportation of these items is to supply the farm (e.g.; laneways, building construction, soil erosion), farm plates may be used.
Trailer Plate
A trailer transporting livestock or poultry, either empty or loaded, when towed by a truck requires a trailer licence plate.
Reference: Ontario Regulation 62/11 VEHICLE PERMITS Section 19.2. made on July 26, 2011, to amend Ontario Regulation 628, under the Highway Traffic Act:
For a commercial motor vehicle or a combination of a commercial motor vehicle and trailer or trailers, other than a bus, having a gross weight of 3,000 kg. or more, where the permit holder is a farmer, may and the vehicle is used for any of the following purposes (5) (a) the farmer’s personal transportation;
(b) the uncompensated transportation of farm products, supplies or equipment; or
(c) the compensated transportation of farm products, supplies or equipment in the month of September, October or November.