Transporting Livestock in Indiana: What Every Hauler Needs to Know
June 15, 2026
Hauling livestock on Indiana roads is not as simple as loading animals and hitting the highway. Whether you are moving cattle to a sale barn, transporting goats between farms, or delivering hogs to a processing facility, a specific set of state and federal rules governs every mile of that trip.
Miss one requirement — an expired registration, an oversized load without a permit, or a missing health certificate — and you could face fines, an out-of-service order, or worse, liability for an accident. This guide walks you through the six core areas of Indiana’s livestock transport rules so you know exactly what to prepare before you pull out of the driveway.
Livestock Trailer Registration and Identification Requirements in Indiana
Before your trailer rolls onto any public road in Indiana, it must be properly registered and carry the correct documentation for the animals inside. These two requirements — one for the vehicle, one for the livestock — work together, and inspectors check both.
Trailer registration
Most states, including Indiana, require you to register your trailer if you plan to drive on public roads. You must fill out a registration form at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), provide proof of ownership such as a title or bill of sale, and pay the required registration fee. Farm trailers used exclusively on private land are generally exempt, but the moment a trailer travels on a public road, registration applies.
Animal health identification and certificates
The following requirements apply to the transportation of domestic animals into Indiana. “Domestic animal” means an animal that is not wild and includes cattle, calves, horses, mules, swine, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, poultry, ostriches, rhea, emus, or other birds, as well as animals of the bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine, canine, feline, avian, camelid, cervidae, or bison species.
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) must be issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within the 30 days immediately prior to the animal entering Indiana. A pre-entry permit is required for all animals that require a paper CVI. However, a pre-entry permit is not required for cattle when the CVI is submitted to BOAH electronically prior to movement. A permit must be obtained prior to transporting such animals into Indiana.
Official individual animal identification is required for sexually intact sheep and goats of any age and wethers over 18 months of age. For cattle and bison, with the exception of dairy steers, if an animal is required to have official ID, then the official ID number must be recorded on the CVI.
Pro Tip: You can request pre-entry permits for cattle and bison online at any time through the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) portal, or by calling (317) 544-2400 during business hours. Submitting the CVI electronically eliminates the paper permit requirement entirely.
If you are moving livestock within Indiana rather than importing them from another state, keep copies of any bill of sale, brand documentation, or farm-of-origin records in the cab. Inspectors at roadside stops may ask for proof of ownership to rule out theft. For more on Indiana’s animal ownership and care laws, see this overview of goat ownership laws in Indiana and animal cruelty laws in Indiana.
Structural and Safety Standards for Livestock Trailers in Indiana
A livestock trailer must be mechanically sound and properly equipped before it carries a single animal. Indiana enforces both state and federal standards for trailer construction, and a trailer that fails a structural check can be placed out of service on the spot.
Hitch and coupling systems
Most states require trailers to have a suitable hitch mechanism designed to handle the specific load. Trailer safety chains or cables are another common requirement. The intention is to prevent the trailer from completely detaching if the primary hitch fails. Indiana follows this standard, and your safety chains must be crossed under the tongue and rated for the trailer’s gross weight.
Lighting and visibility
Rules about tail lamps, brake lights, and turn signals are fairly uniform across the country. Trailers that obstruct the view of the towing vehicle’s standard lights must have additional lighting. A livestock trailer — especially a tall stock trailer — frequently blocks the tow vehicle’s rear lights, making auxiliary lighting mandatory in practice.
Brakes
Indiana requires functional brakes on trailers above certain weight thresholds. Brakes, steering, lights, tires, horns, wipers, coupling devices, and emergency systems must all be checked regularly on any commercial vehicle. For livestock haulers operating as commercial motor vehicles, brake performance is one of the top out-of-service triggers at roadside inspections.
Annual inspection requirements
DOT annual vehicle inspections verify the mechanical safety of individual trucks and trailers and are required annually for all commercial vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR operating in Indiana. The inspection must be performed by a qualified inspector and documented on an inspection report. A copy of the most recent annual inspection report must be carried in the vehicle at all times, and failing to produce it during a roadside inspection is an immediate violation.
Important Note: Even if your livestock trailer falls below the 10,001 lb GVWR threshold for mandatory annual DOT inspection, it must still meet all applicable lighting, brake, and coupling standards under Indiana Title 9.
For context on how Indiana regulates other aspects of animal ownership that intersect with transport, the state’s animal cruelty statutes also cover conditions during transport — meaning an unsafe or overcrowded trailer can trigger welfare violations, not just equipment citations.
Size, Weight, and Load Limits for Livestock Trailers in Indiana
Indiana’s size and weight rules apply to livestock trailers just as they do to any other commercial vehicle combination. Knowing the standard limits — and the agricultural exceptions — can save you from costly overweight fines or the need for a permit you did not plan for.
Standard dimensional limits
Indiana’s standard limits on the National Network and state highways are a maximum width of 8 feet 6 inches and a maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches. These dimensions apply to your loaded trailer, including any animals that may shift or lean against the sides.
Gross weight and the Bridge Formula
In 1975, Indiana adopted the “Bridge Formula” as state law under IC 9-20-40-1. The formula is used to calculate the maximum legal gross weight and axle weights allowed, and Indiana has a “grandfather law” built into its weight law retaining certain weight limits.
Agricultural weight exception
Indiana provides a 10 percent increase over the maximum gross weight for vehicles hauling farm commodities from their place of production to the first delivery point. This exception is significant for livestock haulers moving animals directly from a farm to a sale barn or processing facility, but it does not apply on interstate highways and does not eliminate the need for proper registration.
Oversize and overweight permits
Indiana law states that drivers must obtain an oversize and/or overweight (OSOW) permit before traveling on Indiana roads if their vehicle exceeds legal size and weight limits. Most Indiana OSOW permits are issued by the Indiana Department of Revenue’s Motor Carrier Services unit, under the guidance and rules set by INDOT and in accordance with Indiana law.
- Single-trip permits are valid for 15 days, granted for one trip, one way or round trip within Indiana.
- Overweight commodity permits for divisible agricultural loads are valid for seven days for one trip.
- Ninety-day permits are valid for any number of trips within 90 days, and annual permits are valid for any number of trips within a year.
Farm vehicles that meet oversize dimensions and travel on any interstate in Indiana need an OSOW permit. Farm vehicles are not exempt from escort requirements on secondary roads.
Common Mistake: Many livestock haulers assume the agricultural weight exception covers interstate travel. It does not. On interstate highways, standard federal weight limits apply regardless of the commodity being hauled.
Ventilation, Flooring, and Animal Space Requirements in Indiana
Proper trailer conditions protect your animals and keep you compliant with both Indiana welfare standards and federal transport law. Inspectors can and do cite haulers for inadequate animal care conditions discovered during roadside stops.
Ventilation
Like humans, animals appreciate climate control. If you are transporting in the summer, make sure there is good air flow and ventilation throughout the transportation process. If you are transporting in the winter, do your best to close off large openings to the bitter cold while still leaving space for the animals to breathe. Livestock trailers should have adjustable vents or slat openings that can be partially closed in cold weather and fully opened in heat.
Flooring
Trailer flooring must be solid, free of holes, and provide adequate traction to prevent animals from slipping and falling during transport. Bedding materials such as straw or wood shavings are strongly recommended, particularly for longer hauls, as they absorb waste, reduce ammonia buildup, and give animals better footing. Rotted or compromised wood flooring is a common out-of-service finding during livestock trailer inspections.
Space requirements and the 28-Hour Rule
Indiana does not specify square-footage-per-animal in its state code, but animals must have enough space to stand naturally, maintain balance, and avoid injury from overcrowding. Stocking density guidelines from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and similar organizations are widely referenced by inspectors when evaluating conditions.
The federal Twenty-Eight Hour Law states that livestock being transported for longer than 28 consecutive hours must be offloaded for at least five consecutive hours to get feed, water, and rest. This federal rule applies to any livestock shipment crossing state lines and is enforced at the federal level, but Indiana haulers moving interstate are fully subject to it.
Providing food and water for your livestock is crucial to its overall mental well-being. Depending on the species and how far you are traveling, it is important to be prepared for your animal.
Key Insight: The 28-Hour Law applies to rail and motor vehicle transport of cattle, sheep, swine, and other livestock moving in interstate commerce. Purely intrastate hauls within Indiana are not covered by the federal statute, but Indiana’s animal cruelty statutes still prohibit transporting animals in conditions that cause unnecessary suffering.
Indiana’s broader animal welfare framework reinforces these transport standards. Reviewing the state’s animal cruelty laws gives you a fuller picture of what constitutes neglect or mistreatment during transport.
CDL and Driver License Requirements for Hauling Livestock in Indiana
Whether you need a Commercial Driver’s License to haul livestock in Indiana depends on three factors: the weight of your vehicle combination, whether you cross state lines, and whether you are hauling your own farm animals or operating for hire. Getting this wrong is one of the most common compliance errors among livestock haulers.
When a CDL is required
In Indiana, you are required to hold a CDL if you operate any commercial motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 26,000 pounds, vehicles designed to transport 16 or more people including the driver, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials that require placards.
A Class A CDL is needed for operating tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tank vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds. It allows you to drive any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.
The farm exemption
Indiana farmers and their employees who drive their own farm’s semis are exempt from CDL requirements. “If you were exempt previously from the CDL requirement, you would still be exempt.” If a farmer is operating within 150 air miles of their business or farm and not operating for hire, they qualify for that exemption.
For Indiana farmers, the 150 air mile radius exemption effectively expands to include the whole state. “You have the entire state, basically. If you are a farmer and you are participating in farming operations, you would be exempt from Gary all the way down to Jeffersonville.”
However, the exemption has a hard boundary: “They are exempted from the CDL requirement, as long as they are not operating for hire. So, hauling somebody else’s grain — some farmers will take a load of their own grain to the co-op and then the co-op will pay them to haul a load of grain somewhere else — that is for hire and they cannot do that.” The same logic applies to livestock: haul your own animals on your own farm’s vehicles and you are exempt; accept payment to haul someone else’s animals and you need a CDL.
Age requirements
If the employee is 18, they can drive intrastate, but they cannot cross state lines — you have to be 21 to drive across state lines.
Restricted Agricultural CDL
Indiana’s BMV offers an Application for Restricted Commercial Driver’s License for Agricultural Purposes (State Form 48440) for operators who need limited CDL privileges tied to farm operations. This is worth exploring if you fall into a gray area between the full farm exemption and a standard CDL requirement.
Getting a standard CDL if required
If your operation requires a full CDL, to obtain a CDL in Indiana, drivers must carry a valid Indiana operator’s license, pass a written knowledge test at an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch, pass a CDL skills test, and provide a doctor’s physical examination for the DOT. Beginning June 23, 2025, in accordance with FMCSA’s final rule under the National Registry II, all states must accept Medical Examiner’s Certificates in an electronic format.
Pro Tip: Even if you qualify for the farm exemption, Indiana Farm Bureau recommends ensuring all drivers have a valid operator’s license and that every farm vehicle they operate carries a proper farm vehicle plate. Mixing up plates and licenses is a leading cause of unnecessary citations during roadside stops.
Understanding Indiana’s licensing framework for animal-related activities more broadly can be helpful. See also the state’s rules around hunting licenses and wildlife removal regulations for other licensing contexts that intersect with agriculture.
Passing Roadside Inspections With a Livestock Trailer in Indiana
Roadside inspections are not random nuisances — they are structured federal and state compliance checks that follow a defined protocol. Knowing what inspectors look for lets you prepare your rig, your documents, and your animals so that a stop ends with a clean report rather than an out-of-service order.
Who conducts inspections and where
Indiana State Police (ISP) conducts unannounced inspections at weigh stations along I-65, I-70, and I-80/I-90, plus roving highway patrols. Any violation can result in immediate out-of-service orders.
Roughly a quarter to a third of ISP officers are able to conduct federal DOT roadside enforcement, and the agency also has civilian motor carrier inspectors with the ability to cite federal code. This means a stop by a state trooper can carry full federal enforcement weight.
Documents to have ready
You should have current vehicle registration for the power unit and trailer including an IRP cab card for interstate vehicles, proof of valid insurance coverage, current IFTA decals displayed on both sides of the cab for interstate vehicles, and a current annual inspection report carried in the vehicle per 49 CFR 396.17.
For livestock specifically, have the following in the cab before you leave:
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within the past 30 days, if required for the species
- Pre-entry permit or electronic BOAH submission confirmation, if importing animals into Indiana
- Official animal identification records matching the animals on board
- Bill of sale or proof of ownership
- USDOT number documentation if applicable
USDOT number requirements
A USDOT number is required for interstate operations. Intrastate carriers operating vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR also need USDOT registration.
What inspectors check on the trailer
According to the FMCSA, the DOT trailer inspection checklist reviews items to ensure equipment is operating as intended. The vehicle towing the trailer must meet a separate list of requirements. For livestock trailers specifically, inspectors will evaluate:
- Brakes — adjustment, condition, and performance across all axles
- Lighting — all running lights, brake lights, and turn signals functional
- Tires — tread depth, inflation, and sidewall condition
- Coupling devices — hitch, safety chains, and breakaway cable
- Flooring and structure — no holes, rot, or sharp protrusions that could injure animals
- Animal condition — signs of overcrowding, injury, or inadequate ventilation
A routine roadside inspection at an Indiana weigh station can escalate into federal profile consequences that affect your contracts, your insurance rates, and your ability to operate across state lines. Every violation feeds a national safety record.
Hours of service for commercial haulers
If your operation requires a CDL and is not covered by the farm exemption, federal hours-of-service rules apply. A driver may not drive more than 11 consecutive hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and a driver must not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty following a period of 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Important Note: Indiana state law provides a seatbelt exemption for farmers engaged in farming operations, but ISP officers with federal DOT enforcement authority can still cite you under federal rules, which carry no such exemption. Wear your seatbelt on every trip to avoid this trap.
Staying current with Indiana’s animal law landscape helps you anticipate regulatory changes that can affect your transport operations. Resources covering livestock-adjacent regulations, poultry ownership rules, and agricultural animal laws in Indiana round out the picture for multi-species operations.
For the most authoritative and current requirements, verify details directly with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, the Indiana BMV’s CDL overview page, and the Indiana DOR Motor Carrier Services for oversize and overweight permits. Regulations do change, and confirming details with the issuing agency before a long haul is always the safest move.
Transporting livestock legally and safely in Indiana comes down to preparation: the right trailer documentation, the correct license for your operation type, animals that meet health entry requirements, and a trailer that can pass a federal inspection checklist. Handle each of those before you load up, and your trip — whether it is a short intrastate run or a multi-state haul — is far less likely to end at a weigh station with an out-of-service order.