Action
Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.
Summary
FMCSA announces that the U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. (USCHI) has requested an exemption from the "K" intrastate restriction on commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) held by custom harvester drivers operating in interstate commerce. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) exempt drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) controlled and operated by a person engaged in interstate custom harvesting, including the requirement that drivers be at least 21 years old. However, many younger custom harvester drivers hold CDLs with an intrastate-only (or "K") restriction. This has caused drivers of USCHI member companies to be cited during roadside inspections in a different State, as some officers interpret the "K" restriction to mean that the license is invalid outside the State of issuance, even when the younger driver is operating under the custom harvester exemption. This is an issue not only for individual drivers, but also for the custom harvester employing those drivers, whose safety record is adversely affected. FMCSA requests public comment on USCHI's application for exemption.