Clarification on Covered Farm Vehicles, Other Rules

Print

Published on September 21 2015 2:46 pm
Last Updated on September 21 2015 2:46 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Illinois Secretary of State officials last week clarified requirements for drivers of truck-tractor semitrailer combinations and truck-trailer combination vehicles to comply with state regulations, including new covered farm vehicle (CFV) rules.

A recent FarmWeek story surfaced confusion about the regulations.

Part of that confusion comes from an attempt on the part of some drivers to equate the CDL with the Class A driver’s license. Those two are not synonymous.

Any large combination vehicle requires the Class A license, whether the driver’s license is a CDL or a non-CDL. To further help sort things out, keep in mind that there are now three types of Class A driver’s licenses for the semi and a different type of Class A license for truck-trailer combinations. Nonfarm and farmer drivers of tractor-trailers and trucks with trailers may continue to obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) as they have previously. Likewise, regulations have not changed for the older Farm Vehicle Driver (FVD) exemptions that have gone unchanged since 1996.

To qualify for FVD exemptions, a vehicle must be operated by a farmer, his family member or an employee; haul only for the farm and not for hire; and be operated within 150 air miles of the farm both within or outside of Illinois borders. FVD operators of any combination vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds must comply with physical exam requirements.

Under FVD provisions, semi drivers must obtain a Class A non-CDL with a J50 restriction, sometimes referred to as a “J50” license, while drivers of trucks and trailers may get by with a standard Class A non-CDL. Most of the confusion centers on the expanded CFV provisions. While those federal transportation regulations state a driver is not required to obtain a CDL to drive a tractor-trailer, the feds allow states to issue a non-CDL with state requirements, said Kevin Rund, Illinois Farm Bureau senior director of local government.

Under CFV exemptions, Illinois allows a farm semi driver to obtain a Class A non-CDL with what amounts to a J50 restriction, Rund said. The Illinois requirement for a non-CDL for a semi driver requires passing the “equivalent” of CDL skills and written tests, he noted. Those who have taken the CDL tests previously will find the tests are identical.

Under CFV exemptions, Illinois allows a driver of a farm truck and trailer (not a semi) to obtain a standard Class A non-CDL, the same license required under FVD exemptions. Rund emphasized drivers can only obtain the CDL and J50 licenses from driver’s license facilities designated to offer CDLs.

To qualify for CFV exemptions, a vehicle must be: controlled and operated by a farmer, a family member or an employee; used to transport farm products, equipment or supplies to and from a farm; stay within the range limit; and be registered with a farm license plate. The vehicle must not be used for hire or haul hazardous materials sufficient to require HazMat placards. Under CFV, a vehicle weighing 26,001 or fewer pounds may be driven within the 48 contiguous states. Those more than 26,001 pounds may be driven anywhere in Illinois or within 150 air miles of the farm.