By Bob Weaver
Japanese mini-trucks are appearing across West Virginia, including Calhoun County.
Several county residents have purchased the vehicles, including used models for re-sale to their neighbors.
Most Calhoun owners are using the vehicles for farm use.
State Police Sgt. Jeff Skidmore said there is considerable confusion about the use of the vehicles.
State Division of Motor Vehicles officials say they won't register them for highway use, but they are being used for "farm use."
Sgt. Skidmore said "The trucks are recognized and defined
by DMV as an "Implement of Husbandry." They are defined under WV State Code 17A-3-2.
In general these trucks can only be operated between two tracts of
land owned or leased by the owner of the implement and not to exceed 25 miles, whether the tracts are adjoined or not.
They can only can be operated between sunrise and sunset, and the only exception is to and from a repair shop for service.
They do not have to be registered and they are exempt from inspection.
They are required to have insurance.
They are required to have the words "Farm Use" on both sides in at least ten inch lettering.
They do not need a slow moving sign, and they are prohibited from
the expressways.
The mini trucks are not a classed vehicle by DMV standards
and therefore the owner does not need a "Farm Exemption Certificate," which is applicable to only class A and class B vehicles.
Ten states license them for on-the-road use.
The State of West Virginia has given wide-berth to unlicensed ATVs (four-wheelers) allowing then to travel on state highways without a center line, and travel on primary highways for brief distances along the berm.
The little trucks get anywhere from 42 to 48 miles per gallon.
They can reach speeds over 60 miles and hour.
A number of local owners told the Herald they are using the vehicles as a way of surviving high gasoline prices and major increases in food and hardware.
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