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Farm Equipment on Public Roads

Farm machines and passenger vehicles move at very different speeds, and many crashes come from that gap. Visibility, preparation and patience on both sides make the road safer.

Why are crashes with farm equipment so serious?

Farm machines are heavy, tall and slow, and other drivers often come upon them quickly, especially over hills and around curves. A driver traveling at highway speed may not judge the difference until it is nearly too late.

University extension programs and the eXtension ag safety community publish material on road visibility and crash prevention. Reading it before the busy season helps you decide where to improve your own habits.

Many roads were not built for wide equipment, and shoulders can be soft. Plan for these limits rather than hoping for the best. Families can reduce risk by talking about road safety before the season starts. Decide who drives what, which routes to use and when to avoid traffic peaks such as school bus times and rush hours.

What should you do before you leave the field?

Get the machine into its transport configuration as described in the operator's manual. Fold, lock and secure parts, remove loose items and check that hitches, pins and safety chains are in place. Clean the lights, reflectors and the slow-moving vehicle emblem.

Check mirrors, brakes and tires. Walk around the machine, since small oversights such as a missing pin or a dangling hose can cause serious problems on the road.

• Transport mode set as the manual directs
• Lights, reflectors and emblem clean and working
• Mirrors adjusted
• Hitches, pins and chains secure
• Cab free of clutter and distractions

How can you make the machine more visible?

Working lights, reflectors and a clear slow-moving vehicle emblem help others see you and judge your speed. Rules about lighting and marking of farm equipment on roads differ by state, so check with your state highway patrol or transportation department.

Some farmers add extra reflective tape or lighting to the outline of the machine. The eXtension article on increasing visibility of agricultural equipment discusses options. Do not add lights in ways that confuse other drivers or violate state rules.

How should you drive on the road?

Drive at a speed suited to the machine and the road, not faster than the machine is designed to travel. Stay as far to the right as is safe, signal clearly before turns and avoid sudden maneuvers. Check mirrors often.

Where it is safe and legal, pull over to let traffic pass instead of letting a long line build behind you. Impatient drivers take risks, and a short stop can prevent a crash.

Never allow extra riders on a tractor or implement on a public road unless the machine is built to carry them. Distractions such as phones and loud music also have no place in the cab.

What about turning and crossing roads?

Left turns are among the most dangerous moves for slow equipment, because following drivers may begin to pass just as you turn. Look and signal early, check mirrors again and, if possible, choose routes that reduce left turns across traffic. Consider having a helper follow with flashers.

At intersections and driveways, expect vehicles you cannot see. Slow down and stop if you have to.

Teach new drivers these habits slowly and practice them on quiet routes before sending anyone onto a busy road.

What can other drivers do?

If you share the road with farm equipment, slow down when you see it and give it room. Do not pass near hills, curves, driveways and intersections, and watch for signals. Wide implements may need part of the other lane.

Share this with family and neighbors, especially new and teenage drivers who may not have seen large equipment on the road before. Communities can make a difference by talking about it at school, church and local meetings.

• Slow down when you see farm equipment
• Do not pass near hills, curves or intersections
• Watch for turn signals
• Give wide loads extra space

Who should you ask about the rules?

Rules on equipment on public roads are set by states and local governments, and they cover speed, lighting, marking, width, time of day and operator age. Check with your state highway patrol, department of transportation and your county road office.

The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division covers youth work rules, so confirm there before assigning a young worker to drive equipment on roads.

• State highway patrol
• State department of transportation
• County road office
• U.S. Department of Labor for youth work rules

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.