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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering a rule change that could mean farmers wold need a commercial drivers license to bring their equipment onto public roads.
From TransportationNation.org: "The proposed federal rule change requiring a CDL would apply to anyone who drives or hauls agriculture equipment on a public road. This could be a tractor, combine, or even a pickup pulling a livestock trailer as small as 16 feet. ... 'It’s just a dumb idea,' says Jake Cummins, executive vice president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation."
And from LaSalle (IL) News Tribune: "The administration plans to implement the regulation by reclassifying all farm vehicles and related-equipment as commercial motor vehicles because the commodities they take to local elevators or barges are eventually transported across state lines and therefore subject to U.S. DOT standards.
According to FMCSA, the regulation will, 'be used to help ensure uniform application of the safety regulations by enforcement personnel, motor carriers and commercial motor drivers.' ... Public comment on the issue ended Monday with farm industry leaders speaking out heavily against the regulation."
Some ideas:
- Talk with local farmers about the proposal. How do they feel it would affect their operation?
- Talk with local extension service offices on their reaction?
- Speak with elected officials. Are they getting calls about the proposal?
- Be sure to run a poll asking readers their views.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering a rule change that could mean farmers wold need a commercial drivers license to bring their equipment onto public roads.
From TransportationNation.org: "The proposed federal rule change requiring a CDL would apply to anyone who drives or hauls agriculture equipment on a public road. This could be a tractor, combine, or even a pickup pulling a livestock trailer as small as 16 feet. ... 'It’s just a dumb idea,' says Jake Cummins, executive vice president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation."
And from LaSalle (IL) News Tribune: "The administration plans to implement the regulation by reclassifying all farm vehicles and related-equipment as commercial motor vehicles because the commodities they take to local elevators or barges are eventually transported across state lines and therefore subject to U.S. DOT standards.
According to FMCSA, the regulation will, 'be used to help ensure uniform application of the safety regulations by enforcement personnel, motor carriers and commercial motor drivers.' ... Public comment on the issue ended Monday with farm industry leaders speaking out heavily against the regulation."
Some ideas:
- Talk with local farmers about the proposal. How do they feel it would affect their operation?
- Talk with local extension service offices on their reaction?
- Speak with elected officials. Are they getting calls about the proposal?
- Be sure to run a poll asking readers their views.
