No New CDL Requirements For Farmers

The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association commends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for listening to farmers’ concerns about the interpretation of agricultural transportation regulations and commercial drivers’ license (CDL) provisions.

In a recent statement, FMCSA, which operates as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, said it has no intention of proposing new regulations governing the transportation of agricultural products. Further, FMCSA issued guidance to ensure that state transportation departments understand exemptions that enable farmers, their employees and their families to accomplish day-to-day work and transport their products to market.

The FMCSA announcement follows an “action request” by various ag groups, as well as months of communication among ag groups and FMCSA about the need to properly interpret the rules. Earlier in the year, these groups brought to FMCSA’s attention the fact that some farmers using crop share leasing, were being told they would need to obtain a CDL. The guidance from FMCSA clarifies that question and directs states to grant those farmers a CDL exemption.

The agency has also concluded that most states already have in place common sense enforcement practices that allow farmers to safely move equipment to and from their fields. The FMCSA statement indicates that in areas where farm implements are common, the enforcement community and the agricultural community have achieved a mutual understanding of which safety regulations should apply to farm equipment on public roads.

Our Association, which had written regulators in opposition to new regulations, is pleased that common sense has prevailed and the farmers who purchase the shortline equipment manufactured by our members, will not be spending hours waiting at their local DMV office for an unneeded CDL. ◆