FMCSA updates agriculture regulation exemptions

​Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on March 14 published a final rule (.pdf file) that updates exemptions (.pdf file) for certain agriculture vehicles and their drivers.

The final rule aligns FMCSA regulations with provisions in MAP-21 (.pdf file), a surface transportation funding bill signed into law in July 2012. Among the exemptions, which do not apply to drivers transporting hazardous materials:

• Drivers in any type of vehicle transporting agriculture supplies or goods within 150 miles of a farm during state-defined planting and harvesting seasons are exempt from FMCSA’s Hours of Service regulations. Previously, the exemption applied within 100 miles.
• Certain owners or employees of farms or ranches are exempt from commercial motor vehicle regulations – including those covering Hours of Service; medical qualifications; drug and alcohol testing; commercial driver’s license standards; and vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance regulations – while using farm vehicles.

The final rule mandates that states receiving Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funding adopt compatible regulations within three years.