As a result of new federal legislation, the Mississippi Department of Transportation has created a new Special Interstate Agricultural Vehicle Permit that now allows interstate travel in Mississippi for commercial vehicles hauling agricultural products and unprocessed forestry products.

The new permit is an annual blanket permit that entitles the vehicle to transport certain agricultural products up to 88,000 pounds.

To be eligible for the permit, the agricultural vehicle must transport unprocessed agricultural crops used for food, feed or fiber, or raw or unfinished forest products, such as logs, pulpwood, biomass or wood chips. Movement under the Special Interstate Agriculture Vehicle Permit is only allowed during daylight hours, and travel is strictly prohibited on low-weight routes.

The permit costs $25 a year per vehicle, and drivers must carry it with a valid Harvest Permit. Regular Harvest Permits alone do not permit interstate travel. 

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith included the new provision in the FY2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4366), which was signed into law by President Biden in March.

Eligible drivers can apply for the new permit by visiting their MDOT Express Pass account at permits.mdot.ms.gov or by calling 888-737-0061.

For more information about the Special Interstate Agricultural Vehicle Permit or other over-dimensional permits, GoMDOT.com/portal/over-dim-permits.