ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — OK, you’re going down I-10 or maybe up Highway 59 on an errand. There’s a big, slow-moving truck ahead of you. What should you do?

Well, the driver’s manual might say to pass if it is safe, and you are not speeding, but consider this: If that truck is a farm vehicle, the person behind the wheel of the truck might be just 18, might not have a “CDL” (commercial driver’s license) and may not have to keep the same records as a regular “big rig” truck.

Still want to pass?

The rules for vehicles 26,001 pounds in weight and under driven strictly within Alabama within 150 air miles of the farm have changed. For many farmers, it didn’t come a moment too soon.

The new regulations are on line through the Department of Public Safety Web site. There was also a meeting July 22 at the Alfa insurance office so officials from a number of state agencies could explain the new rules.

“The new regulations went into effect May 13 of this year,” said Brian Hardin, the director of agricultural legislation for the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa).

About 18 area residents went to the meeting, which was sponsored by the Alfa, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, the Department of of Agriculture & Industries, The Department of Public Safety, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Transportation.

While not all the regulations are new, Hardin said in a phone interview, “We wanted to get the word out. as to what happened, and what the new rules are.”

Of course, there were plenty of questions over rules that have not changed, as well.

“There are a lot of rules out there,” Hardin said. “That’s why it was good to get representatives from a number of different agencies at the meeting.”

“I just wanted to get an update,” said Tony Waters of Robertsdale. He farms some 600 acres in the area with his father. Waters also works for Flowerwood Nursery.

“This was an effort to inform people as to what the rules are,” said Hardin. Framers do want to do the right thing, and this was an opportunity to get information out to them.”

Waters was one of those looking for information.

“Everybody’s up in the air. I had a friend pulled over not too long ago, and the officer could not answer the questions,” said Waters.

According State Police Corporal Kenny Price, all vehicles on the road, no matter what their size, must have basic safety equipment like working brakes, lights, and turn signals.

“They still must have a secure load,” said Price in a telephone interview.” That’s still in force.”

And state troopers will be on the lookout for scofflaws.

“One of the things that’s still in force, is that if the vehicle weighs more than 26,001 pounds, all the rules come into play,” said Price.

Brenda Coone, the director of the motor vehicle division for the Alabama Department of Revenue had a few goals for the meeting

“We are here primarily to make sure that farmers understand the new law, that they understand the rules,” said Coone before the meeting.

One piece of news Coone had for the group was that farm trailers need not be registered.

“They have to be used to haul farm products, or they have to be used on the farmer’s personal property, the farm,” said Coone. The trailer, Coone added, has to be pulled by a vehicle displaying a “farm” or an “ag tag,” or a state agriculture tag.

One of the problems of towing an unregistered trailer, even when using it appropriately, is dealing with law enforcement officers who may not be as familiar with the myriad of rules that surround farm vehicles.

However, Coone added you can’t use an unregistered trailer to “haul a sofa.” One of the laws about trucks and trailers say that once a piece of equipment is used “for hire” all the state and federal rules come into play.

One of the lighter moments at the meeting came when Coone explained that one could not use a vehicle bearing an “farm tag” to haul a boat. A member of the audience protested.

“You mean I need to have two plates and registrations just to pull my boat on the weekends,” asked the incredulous audience member, who declined to give his name.

That isn’t going to happen.

“If you use the truck to go fishing,” said Coone, “don’t put a farm tag on it. I suggest the ag tag. Think about how you are going to use the truck. If you want a farm tag, you have to live with the limitations.”

Waters was pleased with something he learned at the meeting. He would be able to switch his vehicles to other tags instead of the more costly “X” tags.

“I am going to make that change,” said Waters. “I am not going to pay more for a tag than I have to.”