Michigan farmers and others who operate trucks and trailers with load capacities less than 26,001 pounds will no longer need to meet certain regulations in transportation law.

According to Matt Smego, Michigan Farm Bureau’s lobbyist who supported House Bill 5228, the new law clarifies what used to be very confusing laws. He told Michigan Farm News, “When two identical truck and trailer combinations were on the road, and if both exceeded the gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds, the one hauling a horse for pleasure riding on a weekend was exempt from regulation. But if a farmer was hauling a horse for business purposes, the same rig would require DOT numbers, an annual vehicle inspection and post-trip inspections.”

Under the new law, farmers hauling loads that are under 26,001 pounds within Michigan's borders are exempt from rules that apply to interstate truckers and long-haul commercial rigs. This means they no longer need annual inspections, post-trip inspections, service logs and drug and alcohol tests. Standard safety provisions such as keeping up equipment standards, load securement, properly working brakes and lights remain in place, Smego said.