Titles & Registration for Farm Vehicles

Farm area vehicles & island vehicles

A farm area vehicle is a motor vehicle that is:

• Owned by a farmer
• Operated only on a farm or a highway within a 25 mile radius of the farm. 

Who qualifies as a farmer?

A farmer is an individual who:

• Raises, grows and produces farm products on a farm of at least 3 acres or more, or
• Keeps at least 25 hives of bees to pollinate orchards and crops and produce honey commercially.

How to register a farm area vehicle or island vehicle

The form you need depends on the vehicle's title status.

• If you are titling and registering your vehicle at the same time, the title serves as the application for both transactions.
• If the vehicle is already titled in Maryland, you will need to complete the Application and Certification for Issuance of Farm/Island Tags (VR-097).
• If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title (VR-005) to apply. 

Farm trucks, truck tractors and trailers

Farm trucks, truck tractors, and trailers may be registered under specific farm vehicle classes.

• Farm truck with gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more (class EFT)
• Farm truck tractor (class FF)
• Farm trailer (class GF)

Qualification for farm vehicle status

To qualify as a farm vehicle, the vehicle must be:

• Used only in the farmer’s farming business, and
• Used around the farm home and to transport farm products, labor, supplies, equipment, and other materials need for farm operations

The vehicle cannot be used to:

• Haul farm products previously acquired for resale, or
• Haul another person’s farm products for a fee

How to register a farm truck, truck tractor or trailer

You can register your farm truck, track tractor, or trailor:

• In person at any MVA branch office
• By mail
• Through an MVA licensed tag and title service (service fees apply)

Documents needed to register a farm vehicle

The registration application documents include:

• Application form
  • If you are titling and registering at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both.
  • If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, submit an Application for Certificate of Title.
  • If the vehicle is already titled in Maryland, submit the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
• Application and Certification for Issuance of Farm Tags
• Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate, if required
  • The inspection certificate is not required when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
• Proof of payment of the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax, if the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or more
  • This form is not required for a newly acquired vehicle that is registered within 60 days after the date of purchase.

Specialty license plates

Certain classes of trucks are eligible to display specialty plates such as agricultural background plates. Learn more about specialty license plates.