Guidance for hiring and qualifying drivers for farm vehicles

When hiring commercial truck drivers, fleet managers must complete a driver file that qualifies the driver under FMCSA regulations to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).

While this requirement doesn’t apply to farmers, it’s important to establish best practices for hiring and qualifying drivers that operate farm vehicles. You may be liable if you hire or entrust a vehicle to an unqualified driver.

Use the following guidelines when hiring your drivers:

Minimum requirements

  • Pre-hire motor vehicle record (MVR) check of driving history

Better practices

  • Pre-hire motor vehicle record (MVR) check of driving history
  • Written application that outlines driving history, including accidents and types of vehicles they’ve operated
  • Conduct recurring MVR checks annually

Most-recommended

  • Pre-hire motor vehicle record (MVR) check of driving history
  • Written application that outlines driving history, including accidents and types of vehicles they’ve operated
  • Enroll in a service that tracks employee license violations and administrative actions

H-2A temporary agricultural workers

H-2A workers may drive farm vehicles.

Because foreign licenses are only valid for 90 days and require International Driving Permits in English, it is recommended that they obtain a state driver’s license.

Essential guide to rules and regulations for commercial and farm vehicles

Each section outlines the steps you need to take in order to be compliant with regulations in a topic area, and includes downloadable tools and resources to facilitate the process.

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