Virginia set to crack down on use of farm license plates

Ever spot a suspiciously fancy car or truck parked on a suburban street or zooming down a highway sporting a “Farm Use” tag instead of a license plate?

Turns out, a fair number of legislators have, too. And as of July 1, 2023, the state will start cracking down.

Legislation sponsored by Del. Robert Bloxom, R-Accomac, and state Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, says farmers will need to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get a permanent Farm Use tag for each vehicle they use for specific farming needs.

They will no longer be able to simply move a tag from vehicle to vehicle.

And they’ll have to tell the DMV about the size and location of their farm, roughly what it produces every year, as well as give signed statement that they’ll use the vehicle or equipment only to cross a highway, or move from field to field, or take the vehicle or equipment to a repair shop or go for no more than 75 miles to haul farm supplies, waste, or farm products.

They will also have to pay a $15 fee, and certify that the vehicle is insured.

Though it is a new requirement for farms, the state’s biggest farm group supported the measures, which passed the General Assembly unanimously.

“It’s important to preserve the exemption for the legitimate uses of farm vehicles,” said Andrew Smith, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation associate director of governmental relations.

“Virginia Farm Bureau members were willing to go through a formal process to help identify operators and have them attest to the proper use of these vehicles and verification of insurance,” he added.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com