(a) For purposes of this division, an agricultural vehicle is a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating or a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) Is operated by a farmer, an employee of a farmer, or an instructor credentialed in agriculture as part of an instructional program in agriculture at the high school, community college, or university level.

Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 34500.6

  • Department: means the Department of Motor Vehicles except, when used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2100) of Division 2 and in Divisions 11 (commencing with Section 21000), 12 (commencing with Section 24000), 13 (commencing with Section 29000), 14 (commencing with Section 31600), 14. See California Vehicle Code 290
  • Highway: is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. See California Vehicle Code 360
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • traffic: includes pedestrians, ridden animals, vehicles, street cars, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any highway for purposes of travel. See California Vehicle Code 620
  • vehicle: is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See California Vehicle Code 670

(2) Is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations when operating in commerce.

(3) Is not used in the capacity of a for-hire carrier or for compensation.

(4) The towing vehicle has a gross weight rating of 16,000 pounds or less.

(5) Is used solely in intrastate commerce.

(b) On or before January 1, 2022, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, in consultation with the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall report to the Governor and the Legislature about the impact of excluding an agricultural vehicle, as defined in subdivision (a), from Section 34501.12. The report shall include, but is not limited to, information about collisions involving excluded vehicles and any traffic safety issues associated with excluded vehicles. The report shall be submitted pursuant to § 9795 of the Government Code.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2026, deletes or extends that date.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 209, Sec. 1. (AB 2415) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, by its own provisions.)

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