A Class F endorsement allows you to operate farm trucks and certain agricultural vehicles on public roads

A Class F endorsement is an add-on to a commercial driver's license that permits you to drive farm trucks and vehicles used in agricultural operations. It is specific to vehicles owned and operated by farmers or agricultural businesses for farm-related work. The endorsement does not allow you to haul agricultural products for hire — it covers only vehicles you operate for your own farm's use.

The Class F is one of the least common CDL endorsements because it applies to a narrow group of operators. If you drive a heavy truck on a farm but do not haul crops or livestock for payment to other farms or businesses, you likely need this endorsement. If you operate the same truck commercially — for example, hauling hay or grain to market for a fee — you would need different endorsements instead.

Key Takeaways

  • A Class F endorsement covers farm trucks and agricultural vehicles used only for the farm owner's own operations, not for commercial hauling for hire.
  • You must pass a written knowledge test specific to farm vehicle operation and a skills test in an actual farm truck to earn the endorsement.
  • The endorsement is added to an existing commercial driver's license; you cannot hold a Class F without first holding a valid CDL.
  • Farm trucks operated under a Class F endorsement are exempt from some federal hours-of-service rules that explore to other commercial vehicles.
  • Requirements and fees for the Class F vary by state, so you will need to check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

Who needs a Class F endorsement

You need a Class F endorsement if you operate a truck or vehicle that meets the federal definition of a commercial motor vehicle and is used in farm operations. The vehicle must weigh more than 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or be designed to carry more than 15 passengers. If your farm truck falls below those thresholds, you may not need a CDL at all.

The endorsement applies only to vehicles you own or operate for your own agricultural business. If you are hired to haul agricultural products for another farm or business, or if you transport crops to a commercial buyer, you need a different endorsement — typically a tanker (T) or hazmat (H) endorsement depending on what you haul. The Class F is strictly for farm-to-farm or farm-to-personal-use operations.

Some states also allow a Class F endorsement for certain custom farm work — for example, operating a combine or other heavy equipment on public roads between fields. Check your state's CDL handbook to confirm whether your specific vehicle and use case may have access to.

How to get a Class F endorsement

To earn a Class F endorsement, you must already hold a valid commercial driver's license. You cannot obtain a Class F as a standalone credential. If you do not yet have a CDL, you will need to pass the general CDL knowledge test, the skills test in a commercial vehicle, and any other endorsements your state requires before you can add the Class F.

Once you hold a CDL, the process for adding a Class F varies by state. Most states require you to pass a written knowledge test covering farm vehicle operation, safe hauling practices, and equipment maintenance. Some states also require a skills test in an actual farm truck. A few states allow you to add the endorsement by written test alone. Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to learn the exact steps and fees in your state.

You will need to bring proof of your current CDL, a valid photo ID, and proof of residency. Some states may also ask for proof that you operate a farm or agricultural business, though this requirement is not universal. The written test typically costs between $10 and $50, depending on your state.

What vehicles may have access to for Class F operation

A vehicle qualifies for Class F operation if it is used in agricultural work and meets the federal definition of a commercial motor vehicle. This usually means the vehicle weighs more than 26,001 pounds GVWR or is designed to carry more than 15 passengers. Common examples include grain trucks, livestock trailers, hay wagons, and farm dump trucks used to haul materials on the farm.

The vehicle must be registered to the farm or the individual farmer operating it. If the vehicle is registered to a commercial hauling company or a third party, it does not may have access to for Class F operation. The vehicle also must be used exclusively or primarily for farm operations — not for commercial hire or public transportation.

Vehicles used for custom farm work — such as operating a combine or tractor on public roads between fields — may also may have access to under Class F in some states, but this varies. Check your state's CDL handbook or contact your local DMV office to confirm whether your specific vehicle and use case are covered.

Hours-of-service exemptions for Class F drivers

One significant advantage of a Class F endorsement is that vehicles operated under it are exempt from federal hours-of-service rules that explore to most commercial drivers. Hours-of-service rules limit how many hours a driver can operate a vehicle before taking a mandatory break. These rules exist to prevent driver fatigue and improve safety on public roads.

Under the federal exemption for farm vehicles, you can drive a farm truck beyond the normal 11-hour daily limit or 14-hour on-duty limit without violating federal law. This exemption applies only to vehicles operated for the farm owner's own agricultural operations, not to vehicles hauling agricultural products for hire. If you cross into commercial hauling, the exemption no longer applies, and you must follow standard hours-of-service rules.

Even though the federal exemption exists, some states impose their own hours-of-service rules for farm vehicles. Additionally, the exemption does not override safety — you are still responsible for operating the vehicle safely and legally under state traffic laws. Fatigue remains a real hazard, and the exemption is not a license to drive without rest.

Class F versus other CDL endorsements

The Class F endorsement is distinct from other CDL endorsements because it is tied to a specific use — farm operations — rather than to the type of cargo or vehicle configuration. Other common endorsements include the tanker (T) endorsement for hauling liquids, the hazmat (H) endorsement for hazardous materials, and the passenger (P) endorsement for vehicles carrying 16 or more people.

If you haul agricultural products commercially — for example, grain to a mill or livestock to a market — you do not use a Class F. Instead, you would need a tanker endorsement if hauling liquids, or a hazmat endorsement if hauling regulated materials. The Class F is only for farm-to-farm or on-farm use. If your work involves any commercial hauling for hire, you need a different endorsement and must follow all federal hours-of-service rules.

Some drivers hold multiple endorsements. For example, a farmer might hold a Class F for operating the farm's own trucks and a tanker endorsement for occasionally hauling fuel or fertilizer for a fee. Each endorsement is added to the same CDL and appears on the license itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a farm truck without a Class F endorsement?

If the truck weighs 26,001 pounds GVWR or more, you must have a CDL to operate it on public roads. Whether you also need a Class F depends on your state and how you use the vehicle. Some states do not require the Class F endorsement specifically; you may only need a standard CDL. Check your state's CDL handbook or contact your DMV to confirm what is required for your vehicle and use.

Do I need a Class F if I haul hay or grain to sell?

No. If you haul agricultural products for payment — even to your own buyer — you are engaged in commercial hauling and do not may have access to for Class F operation. You would need a tanker endorsement or other appropriate endorsement depending on what you haul. You must also follow federal hours-of-service rules. The Class F applies only to farm-to-farm or on-farm use, not to commercial sales.

What happens if I drive a farm truck without the proper endorsement?

Operating a commercial vehicle without the required endorsement is a violation of federal and state law. You can face fines, points on your license, and potential license suspension. Your insurance may also deny coverage for an accident if you were operating the vehicle illegally. Always confirm with your state's DMV what endorsements your specific vehicle and use require before operating it on public roads.

Can I add a Class F endorsement to a non-commercial driver's license?

No. A Class F endorsement can only be added to an existing commercial driver's license. If you do not yet have a CDL, you must first pass the CDL knowledge test and skills test in a commercial vehicle. Once you hold a valid CDL, you can then add the Class F endorsement by passing the farm vehicle knowledge test required by your state.

Do Class F drivers have to keep logbooks?

No. Because Class F vehicles are exempt from federal hours-of-service rules, you are not required to maintain a logbook or electronic logging device (ELD). However, you must still obey all state traffic laws and operate the vehicle safely. Some states may have their own record-keeping requirements, so check with your state's DMV to be certain.