Can you drive semi tractor trailer on public highways without a CDL license if it is farm related work in Minnesota?

Answer 1

You would have to contact the Minnesota DMV for a definitive answer on this one. Looking through the MN driver's handbook, it states that you can operate a registered farm vehicle with a Class D licence, so long as it is:

• A registered farm vehicle (not a commercial motor carrier vehicle tasked for farm work)
• Operated by the farmer, the farmer's immediate family, or an employee of the farmer
• Operated within a 150 mile radius of the farm

However, no mention is made of a farm vehicle towing a trailer of over 10,000 lbs. GVWR being permissible on a Class D licence, and the handbook also states the following:

"Note: If you operate any class of vehicle as an employer or employee,

you may be subject to commercial motor carrier requirements. These

requirements may apply to single unit and combination vehicles of more

than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (such as construction vehicles),

vehicles used to deliver packages and other items, and vehicles designed

or used to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver.

In order to legally operate these vehicles, you may need to possess a

valid U.S. Department of Transportation medical examiner's certificate.

You may also be subject to restrictions on the number of hours you drive

and to vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements."

Which seems to imply that, even if you meet the above requirements as an employee of the farmer, you could still be subject to motor carrier regulations.

Aside from that, I wasn't able to find any more specifics in either the Class D or the CDL handbook for the state of Minnesota.