US DOT Considering requiring CDL for Tractors

[Duffster]

I don't know if a CDL is the right thing but I don't think some sort of license would be out of line or absurd.

I posted a thread about this a while ago. When I read the proposed changes there wasn't anything mentioned about needing a CDL or log book or hours of service. It was more or less about USDOT registration.

 

[whistlepig]

The "Farmers Pride" publication here in Central Ky is out today with proposal the US DOT has issued recommendations for putting CDL requirements on drivers of tractors on the highway. IMHO, This is the most absurd idea the Gumment has come up with in days. You may want to help knock this down before it gets rolling. Ken Sweet

I can see massive amounts of farmers driving tractors around here captured and put in chain gangs soon. Our Preble County Sheriff, all one of him, will haul them in by the thousands. Oh my!

 

[Bird]

I think that they should take a long hard look at the requirements for anyone driving motor homes before they start worrying about tractors. People driving tractors almost always have some experience and more often than not, a lot of experience driving them. Motor home owners can buy one today and hit the highways tomorrow never having had been behind the steering wheel of anything larger than a Smart Car before. OTOH, I am not in agreement with any farmer having any exception for any vehicle that is driven on the road when the next person on the road has to have a complete different and more stringent set of rules to operate the exact same vehicle.

A CDL does nothing to make a tractor operator a better operator. I suspect the DOT is anticipating considerable revenue from the new requirment, both in fees for a CDL and fines to people who aren't in strict compliance with whatever rules they make up to cover a tractor.

Of course you're right about motorhome drivers being legally able to drive the big rigs with no additional training or licensing. But overall, their driving record is better than most; i.e., fewer accidents for the number of miles driven, and actually very few traffic law violations. Not many of them are speeding or running red lights. However, I am surprised that our politicians haven't started requiring CDLs for them. I guess the politicians are afraid of the voting power of the RV manufacturers and RV club members.

 

[Ken]

I heard on the news yesterday that the gumment now has control of 40% of our nations spending. That leaves 60% to the private sector. With the "creep" in Gumment taxing and spending, It won't be long until we reach a tipping point and officially be a socialist country. Ken Sweet

Didn't I read couple of weeks ago that the present Fed.Gov. leaders cabinet only 8% has ever had a job outside of goverment employment.
The law makers don't have a clue on what a job is.
ken

 

[Hersheyfarm]

The "Farmers Pride" publication here in Central Ky is out today with proposal the US DOT has issued recommendations for putting CDL requirements on drivers of tractors on the highway. IMHO, This is the most absurd idea the Gumment has come up with in days. You may want to help knock this down before it gets rolling. Ken Sweet

Well all my business is in lex and winchester road/hamburg and 75/64 split all the way to mt sterling is the hotbed for kydot. To some respect they are hindering the rebound of the construction industry. We are already hammered, broke and weathered and they absolutely are killing us. They tell us they always can find a reason to fine us...and they do. Lexington metro jumped in on the action also because they said they are running low on money. These quotes are straight from the inside.

 

[2manyrocks]

I thought the whole premise of a CDL was that someone was driving a large truck and/or trailer that required more than average driving expertise, and would be doing it a lot. Someone driving a semi rig 70-80 mph with a fully loaded trailer needs to know what they are doing.

While motorhome drivers also need to know what they are doing, there isn't as much weight involved, and not nearly as dangerous as a semi rig.

 

[whistlepig]

Of course you're right about motorhome drivers being legally able to drive the big rigs with no additional training or licensing. But overall, their driving record is better than most; i.e., fewer accidents for the number of miles driven, and actually very few traffic law violations. Not many of them are speeding or running red lights. However, I am surprised that our politicians haven't started requiring CDLs for them. I guess the politicians are afraid of the voting power of the RV manufacturers and RV club members.

I am sure the politicians are afraid of the voting power of the RV manufactures and RV club members. And if our local sheriff starts hauling in all the farmers around here I would think his reelection possibilities in our county would be slim to none.

 

[Duffster]

While motorhome drivers also need to know what they are doing, there isn't as much weight involved, and not nearly as dangerous as a semi rig.

Have you seen todays motorhomes? Some are full sized motor caoches. Some semi's can be registered as RV.

Not to mentionthat CDLs are not only for "big rigs"

 

[CurlyDave]

A we all sure this really applies to farm tractors?

The last I looked, a big rig consisted of a tractor and a trailer, and there is a chance that they are just wanting CDLs to drive the tractor portion of that combination.

 

[Duffster]

there is a chance that they are just wanting CDLs to drive the tractor portion of that combination.

You aleady neeed one.