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Are Your Truck Drivers in Compliance?

With farms sharing equipment, expanding their reach and offering services to other farms, it's critical to know the federal and state regulations applicable to trucking. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations (FMCSR) provide exemptions from some compliance for farm vehicle drivers. However, too often farm businesses make wrong assumptions about their exemption from the rules. For example, if your driver(s) goes over 150 air miles to haul equipment, if you are being hired by another farm, or you are hauling anhydrous ammonia tanks to the field, you are no longer exempt and must comply with FMCSR regulations including drug testing, driver qualification files and more. A few key requirements to note:-- No cellphone use while driving unless hands-free. CB radios allowed to be used.-- Annual vehicle inspections for each truck. Sticker on truck or inspection sheet must be with the vehicle.-- Post-trip inspection written report is required at the completion of the each day a vehicle is operated.-- Pre-trip inspections must be completed. Any repairs noted on the prior driver's post-trip must be signed-off that it has been repaired prior to operating.-- Accident records must be kept three years.-- Identification and marking of USDOT on vehicles.
Farm Exemptions - In order for a person who operates a commercial motor vehicle to be exempt from some of the FMCSR under the Farm Vehicle Driver exemptions, all of the following must be met:1. The vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer, their employee or family member;2. It is being used to transport agricultural products, farm supplies, or farm machinery to or from a farm;3. It is not being used in a for-hire operation;4. It is not carrying hazardous materials in an amount that requires placarding; AND 5. It is being used within 150 air miles (173 statute miles) of the farm.

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