Section A. Farm Vehicles
Revised November 29, 2017
“Farm Vehicle” defined (§66-6-4(F))
A “farm vehicle” is a vehicle, owned by a person whose principal occupation is farming or ranching, that is used principally in the transportation of farm and ranch products to market and farm and ranch supplies and livestock from the place of purchase to farms and ranches in New Mexico; provided that the vehicle is not used for hire.
Reduced registration fees for farm vehicles weighing 6,000 lbs. or more (§66-6-4(F))
All farm vehicles having a declared gross weight of more than 6,000 pounds shall be charged registration fees of two-thirds of the rate of the respective fees provided in this section.
Every vehicle that is processed as a farm vehicle should be issued a “Farm Vehicle” decal to place on the license plate for that vehicle.
Farm vehicles weighing 26,001 lbs. or more are subject to weight distance tax (§7-15A-3)
Farm vehicles are not exempt from New Mexico’s weight distance tax (WDT). If a farm vehicle weighs 26,001 pounds or more, quarterly weight distance tax returns must be filed and the weight distance tax must be paid.
Title or registration transactions for farm vehicles with DGVW greater than 26,000 lbs.
When processing a first time title, title transfer or registration transaction for a Class 13 Vehicle (a commercial vehicle having a Declared Gross Vehicle Weight of over 26,000 lbs), if the customer declares that the vehicle is a Farm Vehicle, select Farm Truck-13 for Vehicle Type on this screen. This will allow the system to charge the correct registration fees for Farm Vehicles with a DGVW of over 26,000 lbs. Proceed with the transaction as usual and issue the customer a “Farm Vehicle” decal to place on the registration plate.
Title or registration transactions for farm vehicles with DGVW 6,001 to 26,000 lbs.
When processing a first time title, title transfer or registration transaction for a Vehicle Class 11 or 12 vehicle having a DGVW over 6,000 lbs. and under 26,001 lbs., if the customer declares that the vehicle is a farm vehicle, select Farm Truck-12 for Vehicle Type. This will allow the system to charge the correct registration fees for Farm Vehicles with a DGVW of over 6000 lbs. and less than 26,001 lbs. Proceed with transaction and issue the customer a “Farm Vehicle” decal to place on the license plate.
When processing a First Time Title or First Time Title From Out of State transaction for a Vehicle Class 11 or 12 vehicle having a Declared Gross Vehicle Weight <DGVW> of over 6,000 lbs and under 26,001 lbs, if the customer declares the vehicle a Farm Vehicle, select Farm Truck-12 for Vehicle Type on this screen. This will allow the system to charge the correct registration fees for Farm Vehicles with a DGVW of over 6000 lbs and less than 26,001 lbs. Proceed with transaction as usual and issue the customer a “Farm Vehicle” decal to place on the license plate.
Other statutory provisions regarding farm vehicles:
Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions (§66-3-1(A)(3) and (7))
A. With the exception of vehicles identified in Subsection B of this section, every motor vehicle , manufactured home, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer when driven or moved upon a highway and every off-highway motor vehicle is subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code except:
(3) an implement of husbandry that is only incidentally operated or moved upon a highway;
(7) a freight trailer or utility trailer owned and used by:
(a) a nonresident solely for the transportation of farm products purchased by the nonresident from growers or producers of the farm products and transported in the trailer out of the state;
(b) a farmer or a rancher who transports to market only the produce, animals or fowl produced by that farmer or rancher or who transports back to the farm or ranch supplies for use thereon; or
(c) a person who transports animals to and from fairs, rodeos or other places, except racetracks, where the animals are exhibited or otherwise take part in performances, in trailers drawn by a motor vehicle or truck of less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating bearing a proper registration plate, but in no case shall the owner of an unregistered trailer described in this paragraph perform such uses for hire.
Off-Highway Motor Act – Exemptions (§66-3-1005(F))
The provisions of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act shall not apply to … off-highway motor vehicles that are:
F. farm tractors, as defined in §66-1-4.6, special mobile equipment, as defined in §66-1-4.16, or off-highway motor vehicles being used for agricultural operations.
Permits for excessive size and weight – Exemptions (§66-7-414(A))
- No permit or fee required under §66-7-413 (excessive size and weight) is necessary for implements of husbandry, including farm tractors and farm trailers when not more than two such farm trailers are towed in tandem, being moved during daylight hours within a county or an adjacent county for a total distance, one way, of not more than fifty miles on any highway:
(1) crossing the farm property of the owner; or
(2) running between separate farm property of the owner.