New federal exemptions for covered farm vehicles and their operators haven’t changed an existing agreement between Missouri and Iowa, an official says.
“It’s the two states attempting to bring common sense to farmers’ daily trucking operation,” says DeAnne Rickabaugh, a spokeswoman with the Missouri Department of Transportation. “We understand that a farmer’s business does not end at a state line. And these agreements, which the federal government does allow, make it easier to operate.”
A reciprocal relationship on commercial driver’s licenses has existed between Missouri and Iowa since September 2008. It allows Iowa farmers, their family members or employees to drive farm vehicles without a commercial driver’s license (CDL), provided they stay within 150 miles of the farm. That’s true even if an Iowa farmer has to cross into Missouri to drop off livestock or other agricultural goods. Missouri farmers are allowed the same exemption when they travel into Iowa.
The arrangement doesn’t prevent a farm vehicle from being pulled over. But assuming the driver is abiding by all of the rules, he or she won’t be cited by law enforcement for not having a CDL.
Drivers who want to ensure they are in compliance with all state and federal laws should call the Missouri transportation department at 1-866-831-6277, Rickabaugh says. Department representatives are happy to help drivers do the right thing.
Unrelated to this arrangement is the federal MAP-21 law, which took effect in Missouri on Oct. 1, Rickabaugh says. That law provides additional exemptions for people driving covered farm vehicles that have an F-plate, a special license plate designation for farmers.
