Illinois VSD 878 Covered Farm Vehicle Application – Illinois farmers who operate lighter trucks often need a simple way to qualify for important federal exemptions under the Covered Farm Vehicle (CFV) program. The official form for this purpose is the Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 878, known as the Covered Farm Vehicle Application. This guide explains everything U.S. vehicle owners and farm operators need to know about Form VSD 878, including eligibility, fees, how to apply, and the benefits of the designation.
The form is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, Commercial & Farm Truck Division. The current version (revised June 2024) allows owners of certain vehicles registered at 12,000 pounds or less to pay a small annual surcharge and receive Covered Farm Vehicle status.
What Is Form VSD 878?
Form VSD 878 is the official application used to request designation of an eligible Illinois-registered vehicle as a “Covered Farm Vehicle.” This designation is authorized under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/3-815 and 625 ILCS 5/18b-101) and aligns with federal MAP-21 rules that create safety-regulation exemptions for qualifying farm vehicles.
Once approved and validated, the form itself (or a copy) must be carried in the vehicle. It serves as proof of the CFV designation for law enforcement.
You can download the official fillable PDF directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Form VSD 878 – Covered Farm Vehicle Application (PDF)
Who Is Eligible for Covered Farm Vehicle Designation?
Only specific registrations qualify for the $10 CFV designation via Form VSD 878:
- Vehicles registered at 12,000 pounds or less under flat-weight plates (B, C, or D plates)
- Vehicles registered under Mileage Weight Tax plates (MD plates) at 12,000 pounds or less
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, other plate types are not eligible for this particular designation or its associated benefits. The vehicle must also meet the broader legal definition of a covered farm vehicle under 625 ILCS 5/18b-101, which includes requirements that it is:
- Operated by a farm or ranch owner/operator, or an employee or family member of the owner/operator
- Used to transport agricultural commodities, livestock, or machinery/supplies to or from a farm or ranch
- Not used in for-hire motor carrier operations (with a limited exception for crop-share lease arrangements)
- Not transporting placarded hazardous materials
Full statutory details are available on the Illinois General Assembly website: 625 ILCS 5/18b-101 – Covered Farm Vehicle Definition.
How to Apply Using Form VSD 878?
Applying is straightforward and can usually be completed over the counter:
- Download and complete Form VSD 878. Provide the applicant/registrant name(s), Illinois license plate number, mailing address, contact phone, vehicle make, year, and VIN.
- Sign and date the application. By signing, you affirm that you understand the statutory limitations and agree to follow all applicable laws.
- Take the completed form to any Illinois Secretary of State facility that issues registration stickers (many local Driver Services facilities and the Commercial & Farm Truck Division office).
- Pay the $10 surcharge fee (check, cash, money order, or other accepted methods).
- Facility staff will validate the form. You will receive the original validated application, which must be kept in the vehicle.
Permits are available at any facility where a sticker can be purchased over the counter. For more information, visit the official Commercial and Farm Trucks page: Illinois SOS Commercial and Farm Trucks.
Fees for Covered Farm Vehicle Designation
The Covered Farm Vehicle designation requires an additional $10 annual surcharge. This fee is paid on top of the regular registration fee for the B, C, D, or MD plate and runs concurrent with the vehicle’s registration year. In many cases the designation renews automatically unless the owner requests cancellation.
Important note from the form itself: The $10 Covered Farm Vehicle fee may only be applied to flat-weight or Mileage Weight Tax registration plates at 12,000 pounds or less (B-C-D-MD plates). Other plates are not eligible.
Benefits of Covered Farm Vehicle Status
Designating a vehicle as a Covered Farm Vehicle under Form VSD 878 allows Illinois farmers to take advantage of federal exemptions from certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) when all qualification conditions are met. These exemptions can include relief from:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements in many situations (a Non-CDL Class A or B with appropriate restriction may still be needed depending on vehicle size)
- DOT medical card / physical qualification standards
- Controlled substances and alcohol testing requirements
- Hours-of-service logging and electronic logging device (ELD) rules in many cases
- Certain inspection, repair, and maintenance documentation rules for interstate operations
Operating range is generous: for vehicles at or under 26,001 pounds there is generally no mileage limit inside or outside Illinois (subject to other state rules). Heavier CFVs have a 150-air-mile limit when operating interstate outside Illinois. Always confirm current federal and state rules before relying on an exemption.
Important Limitations and Requirements
The designation comes with clear restrictions:
- The validated Form VSD 878 (or a copy) must be carried in the vehicle at all times to receive the benefits.
- Mileage Weight Tax plates cannot be operated outside Illinois even with the CFV designation.
- The vehicle must continue to meet all CFV definition criteria (farm use only, not-for-hire, proper operator, no placarded hazmat, etc.).
- The designation does not change the underlying registration class or weight limits.
- Other states may have their own recognition rules; operators should verify before traveling.
Failure to meet any of the legal conditions means the exemptions no longer apply.
Where to Get Help or Submit the Form?
The primary office is:
Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
Commercial & Farm Truck Division
501 S. Second St., Room 300
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: 217-785-1800
Additional resources and the full list of commercial/farm forms are available at: Commercial and Farm Truck Publications and Forms.
For the most current version of the form, always download it from the official Illinois Secretary of State website rather than third-party sites.
Download Form VSD 878 Now
Ready to apply? Download the official, fillable PDF here:
Official Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 878 – Covered Farm Vehicle Application (PDF)
Print the form, complete it accurately, and take it to an authorized Secretary of State facility with the $10 fee.
Conclusion
Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 878 provides a low-cost, straightforward path for owners of lighter farm trucks (12,000 pounds or less on B, C, D, or MD plates) to obtain Covered Farm Vehicle designation. The $10 annual surcharge unlocks valuable federal safety-regulation exemptions that help many Illinois and U.S. farmers operate more efficiently while staying compliant.
Always use the official form from ilsos.gov, carry the validated copy in the vehicle, and ensure your operations continue to meet the legal definition of a covered farm vehicle. For the latest information, contact the Commercial & Farm Truck Division or visit the Illinois Secretary of State website.