“ASK A TROOPER” with Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: Is there an age requirement for a driver of a farm tractor? Do they need to be age 15 and have a farm permit?  Thanks for the articles, keep up the good work and be safe.

Answer:  There is no age requirement for driving a farm tractor. There also are no state vehicle driver's license requirements for operating tractors and other farm implements in Minnesota. However according to the University of Minnesota – Extension Service, kids under 16 working OFF of THEIR parents' farm must be certified to operate farm equipment on the highway or in the field. Also, remember that even though it may be legal to allow your 7 year-old to drive a tractor, allowing this activity puts the child (and other drivers on public roadways) in great danger.

Does this indicate that a child or even a person with a revoked/suspended/cancelled driver’s license can drive a farm tractor for fun or as a means of personal transportation? Most certainly not. It’s for temporary trips needed for agricultural activity or business.

For more information, please go to the University of Minnesota – Extension Service with information from the National Ag Safety Database, including training. http://nasdonline.org/document/1507/d001300/minnesota-regulations-for-hiring-farm-workers-under-the.html

During 2011-2013, 392 traffic crashes took place on Minnesota roads involving at least one farm vehicle, resulting in 14 fatalities and 210 injuries. Of the 14 fatalities, nine were farm vehicle riders; of the 210 injuries, 54 were farm vehicle riders. The biggest factors contributing to farm equipment/vehicle crashes are inattention, speeding and unsafe passing. When approaching farm equipment, motorists should always slow down and use extreme caution.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Troy Christianson –troy.christianson@state.mn.us