ARA Commends FMCSA Seasonal Ag CDL Reforms

Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) applauds the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for publishing reforms to the Seasonal Ag CDL program.

Reforms to the Farm-Related Restricted Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program, more commonly known as the Seasonal Ag CDL program, go into effect immediately.

ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton issued the following statement:

"This is a step in the right direction to ensure agricultural retailers are able to provide the level of service their farmer customers require at peak times in the growing and harvest season.

"One of the main reforms impacting ag retailers is the increase to the number of days that the restricted CDL is valid to 210 from 180 days. The second major reform is the change to a calendar year rotation for the program to prevent any overlaps from season to season from one year to the next.

"ARA commends its coalition partners along with Senators Jerry Moran and John Thune for their support and effort to get these critical provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill. ARA is grateful FMCSA published the Congressionally mandated reforms to allow enough time for states to implement prior to the 2023 planting season."

ARA and coalition partners sent letters to Congress in May and June of 2021 in support of modernizing this program. 

States that allow for the Seasonal Ag CDL exemption will still need to make changes to their existing state rules. Learn more in the Asmark Institute's report showing 24 states that offer the CDL.