Farm Safety Association
 FARM
VEHICLES WHEN OPERATING ON HIGHWAYS ARE REGULATED BY THE HIGHWAY
TRAFFIC ACT OF ONTARIO
The following
are extracts from definitions given in Section 1 of the Ontario
Highway Traffic Act.
MOTOR
VEHICLE...does not include...farm tractor, self-propelled
implement of husbandry or road building machine within the meaning
of the H.T.A.
TRAILER...means
any vehicle that is at any time drawn upon a highway by a
motor vehicle, except an implement of husbandry.
FARM
TRACTOR...means a self-propelled vehicle designed and
used primarily as a farm implement for drawing ploughs, mowing
machines and other implements of husbandry and not designed
or used for carrying a load.
SELF-PROPELLED
IMPLEMENT OF HUSBANDRY...means a self-propelled vehicle
manufactured, designed, re-designed, converted or reconstructed
for a specific use in farming.
VEHICLE...includes
a motor vehicle, trailer, traction engine, farm tractor, road-building
machine and ANY vehicle drawn, propelled or driven by any
kind of power, including muscular power.
HIGHWAY...is
defined to include a common and public highway, street, avenue,
parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle,
any part of which is intended for, or used by the general
public for the passage of vehicles and includes the area between
the lateral property lines.
UNDER THE H.T.A.
...Your
FARM TRACTOR is not a motor vehicle, but it is a vehicle.
...Your
IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY are not motor vehicles or
trailers, but they are vehicles.
...a
FARM WAGON remains a farm wagon whatever is the towing
vehicle. (See Insurance Note below.)
...for
farm tractors.
...for
farm implements or self-propelled implements of husbandry
when traveling from farm to farm for farming purposes,
or to places necessary for repair or maintenance.
...for
farm wagons.
...for
self-propelled implements of husbandry when traveling on
a highway for purposes other than mentioned above.
Farm
tractors, self-propelled implements of husbandry, or farm wagons
are not required to be covered by insurance, as per the Compulsory
Automobile Insurance Act. These vehicles are normally included
in the farm insurance policy.
However,
the farm insurance policy does not cover a farm wagon or implement
of husbandry when towed by a motor vehicle that is registered,
or required to be registered, under the H.T.A. In this case,
the towing vehicle's liability insurance applies.
The driving
or towing of oversized farm vehicles on the road is governed
by the requirements described below.
Definition:
"Over-dimensional farm vehicle" means a farm tractor, self-propelled
implement of husbandry, implement of husbandry, or any combination
of them, having a weight, width, length or height in excess
of the limits provided in Part VI or Part VII of the Ontario
Highway Traffic Act.
As of January
1, 1994, Ontario Regulation 611 made under the Highway Traffic
Act states that certain trucks and trailers with an actual weight
(single or combined), Registered Gross Weight (RGW), or manufacturers
vehicle weight rating of more than 4500 kg (9920 lbs) require
an annual safety inspection.
The term
"truck" includes transport tractor units, fire trucks, passenger
vans, mini vans, two and four-wheel drive trucks, regardless
of the type of licence plate attached to the vehicle, i.e.
car, truck or farm.
The term
"trailer" includes boat, snowmobile, livestock and general-purpose
utility trailers but does not include a trailer specifically
designed as an implement of husbandry.
A vehicle
or combination of vehicles requiring an annual inspection
must display or carry evidence of compliance with Ontario,
and any other Canadian jurisdiction or United States regulations.
An annual
inspection can be done by your local garage provided it is
licensed to do so by the Ministry of Transportation. The inspection
certificate is valid in any province or state for 12 months
after inspection.
The
purpose of this sign is to warn other road users that the
vehicle displaying the sign may be a vehicle traveling slower
than the normal speed of traffic.
Every
farm tractor and self-propelled implement of husbandry, when
operated on a highway, or any vehicle towed by either of them,
must have a slow moving vehicle sign attached to the
rear, except when directly crossing a highway.
The sign
must be displayed in the centre of the rear of the
rear-most vehicle, between 0.6 meters and 2 meters above the
roadway.
It must
be clearly visible for a distance of not less than 150 meters
The SMV
sign colours deteriorate through exposure to sun and weather.
To ensure the sign is clearly visible to other road users,
it should be replaced when faded or damaged.
Always
BE SEEN! Remember the SMV is for your safety.
...do
a pre-trip inspection of all your equipment. Make sure it is
in good mechanical condition.
...as
a driver of a vehicle, it is your responsibility, by law,
to clearly indicate all turns, slowing or stopping and to
make certain that the turn can be made safely.
If your
equipment or load does not allow other drivers to see hand
signals, then you should equip your vehicle with electrical
or mechanical signals.
Your
visibility is vital at all times. Always use your lights when
it is dark or visibility is poor. Many collisions occur due
to the fact that other motorists do not see you in advance.
Lights are
required on a highway at any time from one-half hour before
sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time
when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable weather conditions,
persons and vehicles on the highway cannot be seen clearly at
a distance of 150 meters
a FARM
TRACTOR
a SELF-PROPELLED
IMPLEMENT OF HUSBANDRY must carry:
...if
fitted with an electric lighting system, are required to display
two white lights on the front of the vehicle and at least
one red light on the rear of the vehicle.
...if
not fitted with an electric lighting system, must display
on the left side of the vehicle, a lamp or lamps displaying
at least one white light to the front, and at least one red
light to the rear.
Lights
or lamps must be clearly visible at a distance of at least
150 meters
All
the Highway Traffic Act tire regulations apply to farm tractors
and self-propelled implements of husbandry. However, these vehicles
may use tires marked "not for highway use", or "farm use only",
when traveling on highways.
The highway
use of studded tires is strictly prohibited.
No vehicle
shall be operated, or object moved over or upon any highway
with any flange, rib, clamp, or other device attached to its
wheels which will damage the highway.
The
H.T.A. does not limit the number of wagons or trailers that
may be towed by a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of
husbandry. The driver is responsible to ensure that the combination
does not constitute a hazard.
Each
farm wagon or implement of husbandry being towed, must be
connected to the towing vehicle by two separate means of attachment.
Also, each trailer or farm wagon must have two separate means
of attachment to the vehicle ahead. A safety chain's strength
must be equal to the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicles
being towed. This does not apply when towing a farm wagon
or implement of husbandry directly across a highway.
A
farm implement or farm wagon being towed by a farm tractor,
self-propelled implement of husbandry or any other motor vehicle
must display a red light on the rear of the rear-most vehicle.
When
the combined length of the towing vehicle and towed vehicles
exceeds 6.1 meters, an amber or green light must be displayed
on each side of the vehicle, close to the front and a red
light displayed on each side, close to the rear of the rear-most
vehicle. Reflectors approved by the Ministry may be used instead
of these side-marker lights.
BE
SEEN at night! Never drive your farm vehicles at night
or, in adverse weather conditions without proper lighting.
The
driver of a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry
is not required to hold a valid driver's licence when
driving on a highway, but must be at least 16 years of
age. Under 16 year-olds are only allowed to drive a farm
tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry directly across
a highway.
Farm
vehicles should be driven on the traveled portion of the highway
because the shoulder may not be firm enough to withstand the
weight of the equipment.
It is
not illegal to drive on the shoulder. However, it is illegal
to overtake and pass other vehicles when driving on the shoulder.
The
Criminal Code of Canada applies to drivers of vehicles both
on and off the highway. It is illegal to operate a farm
tractor or a self-propelled implement of husbandry on or off
the highway when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
A conviction
under the Criminal Code of Canada for drinking and driving
offences automatically incurs a minimum three month driving
prohibition...both on and off the highway. A subsequent offence
incurs a minimum of one year's prohibition. For the first
three months of this period, you are prohibited from driving
any vehicle (including a farm tractor or self-propelled implement
of husbandry) on a farm.
A conviction
of a drinking/driving offence provides a one year suspension
of a driver's licence under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
For the
first three months of this period, you are prohibited from
driving any vehicle (including a farm tractor or self-propelled
implement of husbandry) in any public place.
A
CVOR identifies those responsible for the operation of commercial
motor vehicles having a registered gross weight of more than
4500 kilograms and the conduct of their drivers. The CVOR Certificate
(or a true copy) must be carried in any vehicle over 4500 kg
at all times.
Note:
Farm plated vehicles are commercial motor vehicles. For further
information, contact the Carrier Control Office - Toronto.
Phone (416) 235-4479 or elsewhere in Ontario 1-800-387-7736.
If
you hold a Class "G" Driver's Licence you may drive a Class
"D" Farm-plated Vehicle...
(Class
"G" refers to cars, light trucks, etc., not exceeding a registered
gross vehicle weight or total gross weight of 11,000 kg).
(Class
"D" refers to vehicles which exceed 11,000 kg gross vehicle
weight or registered gross weight, provided any towed vehicles
are not over 4600 kg). To tow a vehicle exceeding 4600 kg
gross weight, the driver must hold a valid Class "A" driver's
licence.
The regulation
gives the busy farmer more freedom in assigning full or part-time
helpers to drive his farm vehicle, e.g. during seeding or
harvest time. If they hold a Class "G" or "G2" licence, the
Class "D" farm vehicle may be driven, provided it's owned
or leased by the farmer, registered and licensed as a "Farm
Vehicle" and used for personal transportation or trucking
produce or equipment.
Note:
Class "D" Farm Vehicles may not be driven by anyone
who holds a Class G1, M1, M2, or M Licence in accordance with
Ontario Regulation 340/94 under the H.T.A.
Also,
you may not drive a Class "D" vehicle when it is used
for hire with a Class "G", "E", or "F" driver's licence.
The
Dangerous Goods Transportation Act, 1981, is intended to promote
safety in the transportation of dangerous goods on Ontario's
highways. Farmers must ensure that dangerous goods are transported
in accordance with the Act and Regulations.
While
there are several exemptions provided in the regulations for
the transportation of dangerous goods used in farming, there
are many farm chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides,
fuels, gases, etc., which may require special documentation,
safety markers and driver training.
Information
regarding the regulations, as they apply to farming operations,
can be obtained from any Ministry of Transportation District
Office.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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Safety Association Home Page
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