The current hours-of-service (HOS) exception in 49 CFR 395.1(k) covers any motor carrier transporting agricultural commodities or farm supplies to an eligible destination. The MAP-21 revision expands the current 100 air-mile radius to 150 air-miles (172.6 statute miles) and makes transportation from wholesalers to retailers eligible for the exception.

MAP-21 provides a new and broad exemption from many of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for operators of “covered farm vehicles” (CFVs). The new definition of a CFV to be found in § 390.5 includes a variety of conditions and limitations involving the size of the vehicle, hauling distance from the farm or ranch, and cargo being transported. Perhaps most important, CFV operators must be farmers or ranchers, their families, and employees. Source: 78 FR 16189, March 14, 2013.

Last Updated : September 7, 2022

Under new § 383.3(h), the CDL regulations in Part 383 do not apply to the operator of a covered farm vehicle (CFV) as defined in § 390.5. Note that a CFV cannot be transporting hazardous materials in quantifies that require placarding. Operators of such vehicles would be subject to the Part 383 CDL regulations.

Last Updated : May 8, 2014

The only change is the addition of the MAP-21 definition for “covered farm vehicle” under 49 CFR 390.5. The definitions for “agricultural commodity” and “farm supplies for agricultural purposes” in § 395.2 were not amended by MAP-21. Source: 78 FR 16189, March 14, 2013.

Last Updated : May 8, 2014

As defined in 49 CFR 390.5, a “covered farm vehicle” (CFV):

• Travels in the State in which the vehicle is registered or in another State,
• Is operated by an owner or operator of a farm or ranch, or by a family member or employee of the owner or operator
• Transports agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm or ranch
• Has a license plate or some other means specified by the State that identifies it as a farm vehicle
• Is not used in for-hire motor carrier operations (but for-hire operations do not include use of a vehicle owned and operated by a tenant farmer to transport the landlord’s portion of the crops under a crop-share agreement)
• [From § 390.39] Is not transporting hazardous materials that require placarding, and either of the following:
  • Has a GVW or GVWR (whichever is greater) of 26,001 or less, in which case the CFV exemptions in § 390.39 apply anywhere in the United States
  • Has a GVW or GVWR (whichever is greater) of more than 26,001 pounds and travels within the State where it is registered or, if traveling out of the State where it is registered, stays within a 150 air miles of the owner or operator’s farm or ranch

Last Updated : May 8, 2014

A “covered farm vehicle” (CFV) and its operator are exempt from the following:

• Part 382 (Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing)
• Part 383 (Commercial Driver’s License Standards; Requirements and Penalties)
• Part 391 (Subpart E - Physical Qualifications and Examinations)
• Part 395 (Hours of Service of Drivers)
• Part 396 (Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance)

Last Updated : May 8, 2014

Some of these revisions apply to any motor carrier transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies to and from farms within limited distances. Other provisions also may apply to farmers (and their family, employees, etc.) operating “covered farm vehicles” while transporting agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm or ranch. There are several important limitations on eligibility and use of this exemption for the operation of a “covered farm vehicle.” Source: 78 FR 16189, March 14, 2013.

Last Updated : May 8, 2014