(a) The Office of Driver Services of the Department of Finance and Administration for this state may issue restricted commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to seasonal drivers for the following specific farm-related service industries:
- (1) Farm retail outlets and suppliers;
- (2) Agri-chemical businesses;
- (3) Custom harvesters; and
- (4) Livestock feeders.
(b) If issued, such restricted CDLs shall be issued only in accordance with those guidelines set out in the recently amended portion of 49 C.F.R. pt. 383 including, but not limited to, the following:
- (1) Waived drivers shall not be required to take or pass the CDL skills or knowledge tests but shall be required to meet all other requirements of the CDL regulations included in 49 C.F.R. pt. 383;
(2)
- (A) A waived driver shall be issued only one (1) license.
- (B) That restricted CDL shall also authorize the waived driver to drive any noncommercial vehicle for personal use;
(3)
- (A) A restricted CDL shall not be issued to an individual unless it is determined that such individual has a good driving record and at least one (1) year of driving experience in any type of vehicle.
- (B) The good driving record criteria set out in the recently amended portion of 49 C.F.R. pt. 383 shall be utilized in making this determination;
- (4) A restricted CDL shall allow the driving of automobiles by the holder of such a license as well as the driving of other noncommercial motor vehicles throughout the same renewal cycle as is allowed for regular CDLs by the laws and rules of this state;
- (5) Validity of any restricted CDL issued for commercial motor vehicle driving shall be limited to a seasonal period or periods, as defined by rules to be made and promulgated by the office, in conformity with the guidelines contained in the recently amended portion of 49 C.F.R. pt. 383, not to exceed a total of one hundred eighty (180) days of commercial validity in any twelve-month period;
- (6) The department shall revalidate each restricted CDL for commercial use by means of a confirmation of the holder's good driving record prior to each season, as defined by rules to be made and promulgated by the office in conformity with the guidelines contained in the recently amended portion of 49 C.F.R. pt. 383, in which the driver wishes to drive commercial motor vehicles;
- (7) The office shall check the driver's record through the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) prior to issuing a restricted CDL to that driver and shall enter each restricted CDL holder's record into the CDLIS;
- (8) No such restricted CDL shall be issued to any drivers, seasonal or otherwise, who intend to transport any products of farm equipment suppliers, utilities, or cotton ginning services; and
- (9) Use of the restricted CDL in activities not related to employment in the designated industries enumerated in subsection (a) of this section shall be grounds for revocation of the restricted CDL and the office shall include this provision in substantially this same form in any rules made and promulgated by the office.