Senator Collins' Statement on the DOT'S Decision Not to Impose Commercial Truck Rules on Farmers

Statement

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement today in regard to the FMCSA's (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) decision not to impose federal regulations that would subject farmers who operate farm equipment on public roads to the requirements of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL):

"I am very pleased that the federal Department of Transportation decided not to pursue imposing onerous federal regulations on farmers whose livelihood depends on their ability to operate farm vehicles and agricultural equipment," said Senator Collins. "Earlier this month, I joined 21 of my colleagues in the Senate to express my concern on the unfair and expensive burden that would require farmers to obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses. All of us who grew up in Aroostook County, or live there now, have seen farmers on the side of the road driving a tractor or hauling a digger. They operate safely."

After reconsidering the potentially harmful burdens that would result from mandating that farmers obtain CDL's to operate their farm equipment, the FMCSA is now encouraging states to use "common sense" in setting exemptions for Commercial Driver's Licenses, making it clear that they do not intend to impose any new federal regulations. "We have no intention of instituting onerous regulations on the hardworking farmers who feed our country and fuel our economy," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement earlier this week.

Source