This fact sheet summarizes farm truck requirements. For more details, refer to the Ministry of Transportation’s website or read the MTO’s Guide for Farm Equipment on the Highway.
For information on farm implements, refer to MTO’s Farm Guide or OFA’s Farm Implements on the Road fact sheet. Click here for the French version of the MTO Farm Guide.
Personal-Use Pickups:
MTO announced recent changes to the Highway Traffic Act related to “personal-use pickup trucks” and trailers, effective July 1, 2019. The changes exempt personal-use pickups and certain trailer types from annual safety inspections. To qualify as a personal-use pickup, the truck and camper or boat trailer must be for personal use only, and the truck and trailer cannot carry business-related cargo or tools. A farm pickup alone or towing a livestock trailer, etc. would not qualify as personal-use pickup and must comply with CVORs, annual inspections, etc. as noted below.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR):
All trucks, including farm trucks, with an actual or registered gross weight over 4,500 kg (9,920 lbs.) must have a CVOR. Renewals cost $50; new CVORs $250.
Annual Truck/Trailer Safety Inspections:
Annual safety inspections are required for the following;
- any truck, which does not tow a trailer, if the truck’s actual weight, registered gross weight or gross vehicle weight rating exceeds 4,500 kg, or
- both the truck and the trailer if;
1) the weight of the truck plus the weight of the trailer, exceeds 4,500 kg or
2) the weight of the trailer exceeds 4,500 kg.
Driver Trip Inspections (Pre-trip Inspections, circle checks):
Trucks over 4,500 kg require a daily or trip inspection report, completed and signed by the driver or designated individual. The driver must carry a valid inspection report regardless of the distance traveled. Inspection reports are only valid for 24 hours from time of completion. After 24 hours, a new report is required. A 2 or 3 axle truck, not pulling a trailer, and carrying or used to carry primary farm products produced by the driver or operator is exempt from having a written report. You are not exempt from inspecting the vehicle before heading out!
Hours of Work:
Drivers of trucks over 4,500 kg are limited in their time “behind the wheel”. The driver of a 2 or 3-axle farm truck or a 2-axle farm truck towing a single-axle trailer, used to carry primary farm products produced by the driver or operator, is exempt.
FARM Plates:
FARM plates are reduced fee commercial plates for farm trucks with a registered gross weight over 3,000 kg (6,613 lbs.), used for personal transportation or to haul farm products, equipment or supplies. Paid hauling on FARM plates is only permitted during September, October or November.
Vehicle Registration:
Registered gross weight (RGW) determines a truck’s registration or plate fee. RGW is the total of the truck’s weight plus passengers, fuel, load, plus trailer and its load.
The gross weight of a light trailer, [less than 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs)] need not be added to a truck’s RGW for registration. However, once a trailer weighs more than 2,800 kg, all of its weight must be added to the truck’s weight for registration.
Driver’s Licenses [HTA regulation 340/94 – Driver’s Licenses]:
Driver’s License class dictates vehicle type, weight and trailers towed.
‘G’; a motor vehicle with a registered gross weight of less than 11,000 kg (24,250 lbs.), where the weight transmitted to the road by the axles of the trailer, when attached to the truck, is less than 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs.).
‘D’; a motor vehicle with a registered gross weight of more than 11,000 kg (24,250 lbs.), where the weight transmitted to the road by the axles of the trailer, when attached to the truck, is less than 4,600 kg.
‘A’; any combination of truck and towed trailer, trailers, vehicle or vehicles, where the axles of the trailer or towed vehicle, when attached to the truck, transmits more than 4,600 kg to the road. Towed vehicle includes farm implements and wagons.
‘A’ with condition R (“Restricted A”);
the combination of a truck and a single trailer where the weight of the trailer or towed vehicle exceeds 4,600 kg. The trailer cannot have air brakes. Towed vehicle includes farm implements and wagons.
Drivers with a ‘G’ license may drive a ‘D’ farm plated truck or truck/trailer combination used for the farmer’s personal transportation or for the transportation of farm products, supplies or equipment.
Drivers with a G2 license may drive a ‘D’ farm plated truck or a truck/trailer combination, if the truck is not equipped with air brakes and the truck is not for-hire.
Drivers with a G1 license cannot drive a ‘D’ farm plated truck.
An air brake (‘Z’ endorsement) is required for any air brake equipped truck, including farm trucks.
Weigh Scales
Any commercial motor vehicle, including a FARM plated truck, dual rear wheel pickup or truck towing a business-type trailer must stop at an open weigh scale. Empty pickups need not stop.
Owner’s Name on Sides of Truck:
Any truck with a registered gross weight up to an including 18,000 lbs. [8,164 kg] is exempt from the requirements to have the owner’s name attached to or painted on both sides.
Towing Implements
The Highway Traffic Act authorizes farmers to tow implements behind a pickup truck with a SMV sign on the towed implement. The combination must operate at a speed of 40 km/h [25 MPH] or less; lighting and safety chain rules apply too.
For further information, contact your local OFA Member Service Representative or OFA’s Guelph office.