How do the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) new Entry-Level Driver (ELD) training requirements affect your aerial application business? Well, if you have new employees who are applicants for an unrestricted Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), they will have to take the new ELD training before they are eligible to take the CDL knowledge and skills tests. Drivers who have obtained a CDL before Feb. 7, 2022, are exempt from the requirement.
ELD training is provided at driver training facilities recognized by the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). To find more information about the training, click here. The FMCSA sets the requirements for who must have a CDL but allows individual states discretion to make some exceptions to the requirements. The exceptions that may be allowed are found in 49 CFR Part 383 and include:
- Operators of a farm vehicle which is:
- Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by employees or family members;
- Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies or both to or from a farm;
- Not used in the operations of a for-hire motor carrier, except for an exempt motor carrier as defined in section 390.5 of this subchapter; and
- Used within 241 kilometers (150 miles) of the farmer’s farm.
- A State may, at its discretion, waive the required knowledge and skills tests of Subpart H of this part and issue restricted CDLs to employees of these designated farm-related service industries:
- Agri-chemical businesses;
- Custom harvesters;
- Farm retail outlets and suppliers;
- Livestock feeders.
It is common for states to allow the farm vehicle exception but less
common to allow for the “agri-chemical businesses” exemption. Since
drivers’ licenses are issued by the state, contact your state to
determine your employee’s requirements. If your employees currently are
required to have a CDL, then new drivers operating similar equipment
will likely also be required to take the new ELD training.
For more information on CDL and by association ELD training, click here.