Driving Your Tractor On Washington Roads
Sometimes, you may find that you need to drive your tractor some distance on public roadways. Is this legal? The answer, broadly, is yes here in Washington, but there are some rules you need to follow and some things to be aware of in order to keep yourself and your tractor safe and free of incidents. You also don’t want to be pulled over by law enforcement and be fined for not following the rules.
FMI Equipment in Spokane Valley is your Washington tractor dealer, so we’ve rounded up these tips for driving your tractor on the road to help you stay safe and get where you need to be.
Remain Vigilant
Tractors typically don’t go much faster than 25 miles per hour, making them some of the slowest-moving vehicles on the road. This means that you’ll hold up traffic if you’re not careful and you could really irk other drivers or potentially cause an accident. Avoid busier thoroughfares whenever possible and try to drive at times of the day where other drivers may not be using the road as much, like in the middle of a weekday. Always watch for other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and animals when driving your tractor on the road.
Use Correct Signage
You’ll need to post a “slow-moving vehicle” sign on your tractor to comply with Washington State laws and ensure that other drivers are aware of your speed limitations. A farm exempt decal is also necessary to demonstrate that the tractor is exempt from state registration requirements due to being a piece of farm equipment instead of a standard passenger vehicle.
Add Lights
Proper lighting can help you to see and be seen when driving your tractor on the road, especially before dawn, after dusk or in rainy and foggy conditions. Here in Washington State, you have to have hazard warning lights, head lamps, a red lamp and at least two red reflectors on your tractor in order to legally drive it on the road.
Insure Your Tractor
While it’s not required, insurance is a very good idea when you’re planning to drive your tractor on public roads. A good farm equipment insurance policy may already be in place, but you’ll want to double-check with your insurance company as to whether your tractor is covered if driven on public roads.
Exercise Caution
When driving on the road, make sure that you’re following all the local laws and signaling properly. Rollover protection may be a good idea to keep you safe. The Department of Public Safety also has further guidelines for operating a tractor on a road.
Seeking tractors for sale in Spokane, WA? Visit our dealership in Spokane Valley, WA, today to check out our fine selection of new and used tractors for sale. We can even assist you with financing options if you so desire. FMI Equipment proudly serves the city of Coeur d'Alene, ID.