Florida clarifies Covered Farm Vehicle exemptions and requirements for CDL and markings

Covered Farm Vehicles (CFV)

Covered Farm Vehicles (CFV) The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) include specific language related to vehicles transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies. These Acts identify specific exceptions from the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements for “Covered Farm Vehicles” (CFV). The Florida Legislature, through Section 322.01, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and other sections within Chapter 322, F.S., adopted these definitions and exemptions for vehicles operating in Florida. What is a Covered Farm Vehicle? "Covered farm vehicle" means a motor vehicle, including an articulated motor vehicle, that — (A) Is traveling in the State in which the vehicle is registered or another State; (B) Is operated by— (i) A farm owner or operator; or (ii) A family member or employee of a farm owner or operator; (C) Is transporting agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery, or supplies to or from a farm or ranch; (D) Is not used in a for-hire motor carrier operation, except that the transport of a covered farm vehicle by a towaway motor carrier is not considered a for-hire motor carrier operation; (E) (i) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, whichever is greater, of 26,001 pounds or less; or (ii) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, whichever is greater, of more than 26,001 pounds and travels within 150 air miles of the farm or ranch for which the vehicle is being operated; and (F) Is not transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials. Who is exempt from obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)? Any driver of a Covered Farm Vehicle (CFV) with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or less, is exempt from the CDL requirements. Any driver of a Covered Farm Vehicle (CFV) with a GVWR or GCWR of more than 26,001 pounds, is exempt from the CDL requirements when transporting agricultural commodities, livestock, machinery or supplies to or from a farm or ranch, provided the vehicle is operated within 150 air-miles of the farm or ranch, by a farm owner or operator, or a family member or employee of a farm owner or operator. The driver must hold a Class E or higher driver license. Note: If the operator of a Covered Farm Vehicle is operating outside the 150 air-mile radius and the vehicle has a GVWR or GCWR of more than 26,001 pounds, the driver is not exempt from the CDL requirements and must possess the appropriate CDL for the vehicle being operated. Is a medical certificate required for a CFV operator? Drivers of Covered Farm Vehicles (CFV) are not required to hold a medical certificate if the vehicle is operated in accordance with the 150 air-mile exception. What about farm tags? Covered Farm Vehicles are not required to have a “farm” tag. However, if a farm tag is displayed on the vehicle, the vehicle is subject to the same exemptions (150 air-mile exception), for which it would be entitled if no farm tag was displayed. What is a “covered farm vehicle” marking? Section 316.302, F.S. requires a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of more than 26,001 pounds and is operated as a covered farm vehicle, to be marked with a “covered farm vehicle” marking, to the front and rear of the vehicle or combination of vehicles. This marking must be readily visible and in a minimum of 2-inch lettering with a 1/2-inch brush stroke. Markings can be magnetic and removable. Examples of markings that meet the requirement of Section 316.302, F.S.: “Covered Farm Vehicle” “CFV” “Farm” “Farm Use” “Farm Vehicle” “Agricultural Vehicle” “Agricultural” “Agricultural Use”