As a result of new federal legislation, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) 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. Now available to eligible drivers, 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 cost of the permit is $25 a year per vehicle, and drivers must carry it with a valid Harvest Permit. Regular Harvest Permits alone do not permit interstate travel.

“At MDOT, we are always looking for ways to improve efficiency in our state, and this permit is a giant step in the right direction,” said Executive Director Brad White. “By allowing these commercial haulers to travel on our interstate system, it streamlines their business while also reducing wear and tear on our state and county roads.”

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

“I am pleased MDOT is making these interstate permits available for transporting crops and forest products. I consider this a matter of public safety. By not limiting these big carriers to smaller local and state roads, we will not only increase traffic safety, but also improve the ability of producers to get their loads to our ports, rail yards and mills,” said Senator Hyde-Smith, ranking Republican on the Senate T-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee.

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.