Kansas, Missouri allow farmers to cross state lines without CDL

Saturday, September 25, 2010

The State of Kansas has signed an agreement with the State of Missouri to permit farmers to drive trucks across state lines without requiring commercial driver's licenses.

Both Kansas and Missouri exempt operators of farm vehicles from the commercial driver's license requirement, but without this agreement, the exemption did not extend outside the border of the farmer's home state, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

"This is good news for farmers that live near the Kansas Missouri border, who will no longer have to worry about crossing the state line," KDOR Director of Vehicles Carmen Alldritt said in the release. "I'm pleased we were able to negotiate this agreement with Missouri to ease interstate transportation of farm goods."

Alldritt added, "I appreciate the assistance provided by Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Highway Patrol in getting the deal completed."

Under the terms of the agreement, any driver from Kansas or Missouri who possesses a valid non-commerical driver's license may operate a farm vehicle within either state if the farm vehicle meets the following criteria:

* Is a properly operated farm vehicle under the laws of either state.

* Is controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by his or her employees or family members, so long as the operator holds a valid driver's license in either state and is 18 years of age or older.

* Is used exclusively to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or both to and from the farmer's farm.

* Is not used in the operations of a common or contract carrier.

* Is properly registered as a farm vehicle or farm truck.

* Must comply with any hazardous material rules.

* Is only used within 150 air miles of the farmer's farm.

In March 2010, the Division of Vehicles entered into a reciprocity agreement with the State of Nebraska. The division is hopeful it will secure an agreement with Oklahoma soon. Farmers must have a valid CDL when traveling in all other states, according to the news release.

For the full text of the Missouri and Nebraska reciprocity agreements, the division recommends any applicable drivers review this link on the KDOR Web site, http://www.ksrevenue.org/cdlreciprocity.htm.

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