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Milk hauler licenses in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana

Helm PartnersUpdated Oct 29, 2026Sources checked Oct 29, 2026

This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

Short answer

Each state licenses milk haulers through its agriculture or animal health agency. Michigan uses an MDARD hauler/sampler license. Ohio licenses the truck owner as a milk hauler and the person who samples separately. Indiana uses a BOAH hauler/sampler permit. All three need a CDL tank (N) endorsement for tank vehicles and FDA bulk vehicle records.

In this guide
  • Side by side
  • Michigan
  • Ohio
  • Indiana
  • Federal rules in all three
  • FAQ

Milk hauling licenses come from state agriculture and animal health agencies, not from the trucking regulators. Here is what each of our three states asks for.

Side by side

StateAgencyDriver or samplerTruck or company
MichiganMDARDBulk milk hauler/sampler license, exam, $50 for 2 yearsMilk transportation company license for a self-owned truck
OhioOhio Department of AgricultureWeigher, sampler or tester license, exam, $15Milk hauler license, $15 per category, tank list
IndianaBoard of Animal HealthBulk milk hauler/sampler permit, exam and inspection, no fee, 2 yearsMilk tank truck operator permit

Michigan

  • No one may pick up grade A milk from a farm bulk tank without an MDARD hauler/sampler license (MCL 288.503).
  • Written and practical exams, an inspection, $50 for 2 years, renewing June 30 of even years (MDARD).
  • A hauler running a self-owned truck also needs a milk transportation company license.
  • Farm sampling steps are in MCL 288.532.

Ohio

  • Milk haulers and weighers, samplers or testers need a license from the director of agriculture (ORC 917.09).
  • The milk hauler license is for the owner of the trucks. Each license category is $15 and stays valid unless suspended, revoked or canceled (OAC 901:11-4-02).
  • List every bulk milk tank. ODA assigns each an ID number to put on the tank, and the list is updated annually.
  • Apply through DairyWeb.

Indiana

  • Raw milk picked up from a farm for a plant is collected only by a permitted bulk milk hauler/sampler, after approved training (345 IAC 8-2-3.5).
  • Online application, online exam and an on-site inspection. No fee. Permits expire every 2 years (BOAH).
  • BOAH also issues milk tank truck operator permits (345 IAC 8-2-1.9). Study materials: BOAH bulk milk trucks and haulers.

Federal rules in all three

FAQ

Who licenses milk haulers in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Agriculture. The milk hauler license goes to the owner of the trucks, and anyone sampling on the farm needs a weigher, sampler or tester license with an exam (OAC 901:11-4-02).

Does Indiana charge for a milk hauler permit?

BOAH lists no fee for the bulk milk hauler/sampler permit. It takes an online exam and an on-site inspection, and expires every 2 years.

How long is a Michigan hauler/sampler license good for?

Two years. The fee is $50 and licenses renew June 30 of even years.

Does Ohio track milk tankers?

Yes. A licensed milk hauler lists its bulk milk tanks, ODA assigns each an identification number, and the list is updated annually (OAC 901:11-4-02(F)).

What applies in all three states?

A CDL tank (N) endorsement for tank vehicles (49 CFR 383.93) and FDA records on previous cargo and last cleaning on request (21 CFR 1.908(e)).

This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

Sources