In most places, Amish buggies are not required to have a registration plate. However, many counties in Indiana do require registration plates on Amish buggies. Counties like Adams, Washington, Elkhart, and LaGrange have them.
The regulations regarding registration plates for buggies can vary by county, and in some areas, exemptions are made for religious reasons.
The Amish don’t need a license to travel in a buggy on the road either. A license is typically required for operating a motor vehicle.
Amish buggies are non-motorized vehicles and are not subject to the same licensing requirements as cars or motorcycles.
However, for their buggies, the Amish are required to use a slow-moving vehicle sign at the back.
Here’s How the Back of a Buggy Should Be Lighted
Pennsylvania state law mandates displaying the Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem on the back of any vehicle traveling under 25 mph, positioned 2-6 feet above the ground.
The standard SMV emblem is a 12-inch-high orange triangle with a 1 3/4-inch red border, covering at least 72 square inches.
The back of a buggy should be illuminated with two red flashing warning lights on each side, positioned no more than 4 feet from the ground, serving as both turn signals.
Additionally, two red flashing warning lights are recommended at each top corner of the buggy. More can be added for improved visibility.
Using reflectors and reflective tape, particularly white reflective tape is strongly advised for marking the buggy and the horse.
While silver, red, and orange reflective tape offer some reflectivity, white reflective tape provides the highest visibility—up to 500 feet.
For more information, check out the Horse and Buggy Driver’s Manual published by PennDOT.
Why Aren’t License Plates Mandatory in Pennsylvania?
There have been numerous discussions about whether the Amish in Pennsylvania should register their buggies and have license plates.
The proposal suggested that the money from registering Amish buggies would contribute to road repairs, particularly addressing damage caused by the steel wheels of the buggies.
However, no conclusion has been reached, and no such law has been enforced.