Transporting Hay to the US With Farm Plated Trucks

Personal

• Driver's Licence - A U.S. medical certificate is required to drive in the U.S. Forms are obtained in person from the Manitoba Trucking Association (25 Bunting Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba - phone: 204-632-6600). A physical is required before the certificate is granted. There is a $100.00 U.S. fine if caught without one.
   

• Medical Insurance - Obtain out-of-province coverage prior to entering the U.S. This is available at your General Insurance Agent.
   

• Cash - Carry U.S. cash.
   

• Log Books - Log books are required in the U.S. Maximum driving time in the U.S. is 10 hours per day.

Permits

• U.S. D.O.T. no's - For safety regulations, carriers are required to register with the U.S. D.O.T. office:
        - Minnesota: 612-291-6150
        - North Dakota: 701-250-4346
  There is NO fee for farm plated vehicles, although D.O.T. numbers must be displayed on vehicles.
   

• Fuel - Only amber fuel is allowed! The fine for carrying purple fuel can be up to $2000.00 U.S. The amount of the fine varies with the size of fuel tanks. The carrier must register with the I.F.T.A. (International Fuel Trade Agreement) by calling 204-945-3194 or 1-800-782-0318. Fees for I.F.T.A. can be paid annually ($65.00/carrier vehicle) or $0.06/km to a maximum of $18.00/single trip. Display I.F.T.A. decals on your vehicle, and have a copy of your I.F.T.A. licence in the vehicle cab.
  
  

• Fuel - Mileage and fuel logs must be kept, and quarterly reports must be filed.
  
  

• Vehicle Registration - Vehicle must be safetied in Manitoba. Manitoba farmers are fully exempt from registration fees and permits up to 80,000 lbs. (88,000 lbs. in winter months, December - March 7) in Minnesota.
  
  

• Liability Insurance - Manitoba liability insurance minimum is $1 million on tractor trailer units unless carrying dangerous goods. Some states require additional liability insurance on carriers.
   

• North Dakota Hay Permits - Over width loads can apply for a permit by contacting the N.D. Highway Patrol, Motor Carrier Division, 701-328-2621. Permits are available for $10/trip of $50 for season. Loads can then be 12 feet wide, 2 round bales high, or 14 feet high for square bales.
   

• Minnesota Hay Permits - These are available by calling 612-405-6000, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is an annual fee per hay category of $24.00 U.S. or $15.00 U.S. per trip (good for 5 days).

Hay Category ( for Minnesota permits):

1. Round Bales
   maximum width = 11' 6"
   maximum height = 13' 6"
    
2. Large Squares (3' x 4' x 7')
   maximum width = 8' 6"
   maximum height = up to 15'
    
3. Large Squares (4' x 4' x 8')
   maximum width = up to 12'
   maximum height = 13' 6"
    
4. Small Squares
   legal height, width and length = 13' 6", 8' 6", and 75'

Other Requirements

• Flagging - Required on over-dimension loads. Red, orange, or yellow flags - minimum 18 inch square visible on front and rear of load.
   

• Round Bales - May only be transported with flat sides facing front to back in Minnesota.
   

• Night Hauling - Round bales may NOT be transported at night. Over-width loads also cannot be hauled at night.
   

• Interstate Highways - Transportation of over-width loads on interstate highways is not permitted in Minnesota, however the state will overrule this clause at certain periods during the year.
   

• Mirrors - Mirrors must extend past load widths.
   

• Strapping - Each row must be side strapped and from front to back.
   

• Weight - Maximum gross vehicle weight on U.S. highways is 80,000 lbs. except during winter months (December - March 7).
   

• U.S. Brokers - J.L. Wood - phone 701-825-6241. Pay commission to broker - $20.00 flat fee per load. Need to know port of entry. Need to know load destination and name of receiver. (If receiver is commercial operation - need tax I.D. number.) Need necessary hay permits.
   

• U.S. Customs - There is NO duty on hay entering the U.S.