What are the Benefits of Farm Plates?
We’re often asked, “What are the benefits of putting FARM plates on my truck?” For farmers, there are three benefits to have FARM license plates on your farm truck;
- lower annual plate cost,
- option to drive a D truck with a Class G Driver’s License, and
- limited dangerous goods exemptions.
1. Lower Annual Plate Cost:
FARM plates are reduced fee commercial plates for farmers with a valid Farm Business Registration (FBR) number. The fee differential between FARM and Commercial increases as vehicle weight rises. Examples of current plate fees;
| Weight (kg.) | Commercial | Farm | Difference |
| 3001-3500 | $ 265.25 | $ 157.00 | $ 108.25 |
| 3501-4000 | $ 265.25 | $ 159.25 | $ 106.00 |
| 4001-4500 | $ 265.25 | $ 167.25 | $ 98.00 |
| 4501-5000 | $ 265.25 | $ 172.25 | $ 93.00 |
| 5001-6000 | $ 361.00 | $ 180.75 | $ 180.25 |
| 11001-12000 | $ 798.75 | $ 283.75 | $ 515.00 |
| 63001-63500 | $4693.00 | $1245.50 | $3447.50 |
2. Drive a D Truck:
Farmers or their employees can drive a FARM-plated “D” truck (registered weight over 11,000 kg or 24,250 lbs.) with a G Driver’s License if the truck is owned or leased by a farmer, and is used by the farmer for his or her personal transportation or the unpaid transportation of farm products, supplies or equipment to or from a farm. If the truck has air brakes, the driver must have an air brake (Z) endorsement on their license. You can hold a GZ Driver’s License. Many community colleges offer the air brake course.
A G2 Driver can drive a Class D FARM-plated truck provided the truck does not have air brakes. G1 drivers cannot drive a Class D truck.
3. Limited Dangerous Goods Exemption:
FARM-plated trucks transporting dangerous goods for farming purposes are exempt from the documentation, placarding and driver-training requirements for amounts totaling less than 1,500 kilograms (3,300 lbs.) and where the distance travelled is less than 100 km (62 mi). Qualifying dangerous goods do not include explosives, flammable gases, toxic gases, infectious substances or radioactive materials. Agricultural pesticides are also exempt where the volume in a single container is more than 450 L (99 gal.) but less than 6,000 L (1,320 gal.), and the distance travelled is less than 100 km.
Although gasoline and diesel fuel are dangerous goods, they can be transported in an open vehicle, such as a pickup truck, in a securely mounted, approved container. The total amount of gasoline or diesel fuel in all containers must be less than 2000 litres (440 gallons). Individual containers of gasoline and diesel fuel cannot exceed 454 litres (100 gallons).
Farm Plate Uses and Restrictions:
NOTE: Only commercial motor vehicles (i.e. trucks) are eligible for FARM plates. Passenger vehicles, including SUVs and minivans, are not eligible for FARM plates.
FARM-plated trucks can transport farm products, equipment or supplies, year-round. Only during September, October or November you can be paid to transport farm products, equipment or supplies for other farmers. For the remaining months, transportation of farm products, equipment or supplies for other farmers must be free of charge. There are no distance limits for FARM plates.
FARM-plated trucks can also be used for personal transportation. Personal transportation includes transporting personal and household effects, farm building and maintenance items or recreational vehicles. FARM plated trucks cannot be used to transport logs, pulp wood, sand, gravel or stone.
Farm products exclude products preserved by freezing, pickling, cooking, and smoking or curing, other than cured tobacco leaves.
DRIVE CLEAN Emissions Testing:
Although light duty FARM plated trucks were exempt from DRIVE CLEAN testing, the Ontario government terminated its Light Duty DRIVE CLEAN Emissions testing program for plate renewals on or after April 1, 2019.
Ontario’s Heavy-Duty DRIVE CLEAN emissions testing program (trucks and buses with a registered gross weight OVER 4,500 kg.) remains in effect. Heavy-duty trucks with FARM plates are subject to annual Heavy-Duty DRIVE CLEAN testing.
For further information, contact your local OFA Member Service Representative or OFA’s Guelph office.