Relating to restricted commercial driver’s licenses for certain persons employed in designated farm-related service industries

176B requires the department of transportation (DOT) to adopt rules which allow exemptions from commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements for suppliers of agricultural inputs or their employees while delivering such products to their customers, if allowed under federal law.49.176A(6). This bill strikes those provisions and instead requires the DOT to issue a restricted CDL to qualified persons who are employed in a designated farm-related service industry, as authorized under federal law.3(f). That federal rule authorizes states to waive the required knowledge and skills tests prior to issuing a CDL to certain drivers in farm-related service industries. A state is authorized to issue a restricted CDL to an employee of any agri-chemical businesses, custom harvesters, farm retail outlets and suppliers, and livestock feeders. The federal rule requires, among other things, applicants for a restricted CDL to have a good driving record and to have held a motor vehicle operator’s license for at least one year. A restricted CDL cannot be valid for more than 210 days in a calendar year and must be limited to the seasonal period or periods as defined by the state. A restricted CDL cannot be issued with any endorsements, though certain limited endorsements may apply. Restricted CDL holders are prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle beyond 150 miles from the place of business or the farm being served. The current fee for a CDL is $8 per year of license validity.