IoH Operating on Highway Laws

Published on by Cheryl Skjolaas

As many of you are aware the laws related to operating implements of husbandry (IoH) on Wisconsin highways has changed significantly since 2014. There are new lighting and marking requirements in addition to changes in rules of the road that change how IoH are to be operated on a highway. Since Wisconsin Safe Operation of Tractor and Machinery Certification programs provide a state certificate for youth to operate on highways, road safety is an important part of these classes.

Lighting and Marking of Implements of Husbandry (Lighting and Marking of IoH) will be a required factsheet for use with the 2016 classes. There are some pending changes currently in the legislative process but the changes are mostly technical. Both the Assembly and Senate Transportation committees have held hearings on the proposed bills. This information will be adjusted accordingly if the bills pass.

Key points:

  1. New definition of a wide IoH
  2. Lighting is to be used at all times wide IoH is operated on the highway. IoH not meeting the definition of wide IoH only need to use lights during hours of darkness.
  3. Wide IoH may be required to use escort vehicles or may use escort vehicles in place of lighting and marking.
  4. Rules of the road were changed to clarify that it is legal for IoH to cross the center of the roadway. However, when there is an on-coming vehicle the IoH operator must move back into their lane of travel and allow the other vehicle to pass.
  5. Any operator has the responsibility to follow rules of road including following road signs, yielding the right of way, and warning motorist of you intent to turn. An IoH operator must understand it is their responsibility to share the road.
  6. Successfully completing this course allow the youth to operate IoH on the highway in accordance with Wisconsin laws. This is a certificate and not a license. Motor vehicles – cars, trucks, Ag CMV, CMV, require licensed operators.
  7. This course only allows the youth to operate an IoH on the highway for agricultural work purposes. Any other use, will require them to have a class D driver’s license.

A powerpoint presentation will be available shortly for your use with class. The 2016 Written Exam has been updated with questions related to this subject matter.