What To Know About the FMCSA Agricultural Exemption

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates trucking operations across the United States. The FMCSA provides farm vehicle exemptions from certain regulations for agricultural operations. 

Read on for more information about the agricultural exemption from FMCA Filings. Rely on us as your central point for managing your FMCSA filing needs, including united carrier registration and all other FMCSA paperwork.

What Is the Agricultural Exemption?

The FMCSA agricultural exemption is set out in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 49 CFR § 395.1(k). The exemptions relieve seasonal transport carriers from Hours of Service (HOS) regulations during "planting and harvesting" activity. The seasons when the exemption applies are to be "determined by each State" according to the exemption. 

The agricultural exemption rules apply to the transportation of agricultural commodities to locations less than 150 air miles from their source. The Code of Federal Regulations defines commodities to include livestock and other agricultural animals used for food, such as cows, bees, and fish. 

The exemption qualifications also apply to the transportation of farm supplies from wholesale or retail distribution pick-up locations to places less than 150 air miles away.

In addition to lifting the typical HOS restrictions, the exemption removes the requirement for drivers to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) or maintain paper logs.

Defining the "150-Air-Mile Radius"

The exemption describes the area where it applies as a "150-air-mile radius" from either a source or distribution point. Per the FMCSA, the 150-air-mile radius is based on the location where the driver picks up commodities or supplies.

The point where the 150-air-mile radius begins does not have to be where the commodities were grown. As long as the loaded commodities are substantially in their original form and have not been "significantly processed or changed," the 150-mile exemption range begins where your truck takes on the load.

Operating Within the Agricultural Exemption

For covered carriers, qualified operation within the 150-air-mile radius is free from normal HOS and ELD requirements. As driving hours are not limited, transporters have greater flexibility when moving live animals safely. 

Transitioning to Transport Outside the Exempted Zone

While operations inside the circle with a 150-air-mile radius are exempted, any travel outside the radius immediately becomes subject to the typical regulations. As soon as a driver travels more than 150 air miles from the point of pick-up, they must comply with the standard HOS rules and use ELDs to log their hours.

The ELD exemption also covers vehicles manufactured before model year 2000. However, drivers of those vehicles are required to properly maintain paper logs when not covered by the agricultural HOS exemption.

Because of the precise measurement involved, drivers must carefully document any travel outside of the 150-air-mile radius to demonstrate compliance with HOS regulations. 

Drivers must note their ELDs to reflect exempt travel inside the 150-air-mile radius. When moving outside the radius, drivers must annotate their ELDs to document unassigned miles traveled inside the exempted zone.

How the FMCSA Agricultural Exemption Applies in Typical Scenarios

These are some common situations in which the exemption provides relief:

• Unladen trips inside the radius to pick up covered commodities. Drivers who are driving to pick-up locations less than 150 air miles away are exempt from HOS regulations.
• Multiple pick-up locations during a single trip. FMCSA considers the first pick-up location to be the center point for the 150-air-mile radius when there is more than one loading point in a single trip.
• Returning from delivery. The exemption continues to apply during an unloaded return trip to the driver's point of origin as long as the driver remains inside the 150-air-mile radius.

Benefits of Using FMCA Filings

Compliance with FMCSA regulations, exemptions, and filing requirements is a complex task. FMCA Filings provides carriers with a streamlined solution. 

FMCA Filings can manage your FMCSA paperwork conveniently through our user-friendly and highly accessible online portal. Our platform makes it easy to manage motor carrier authority, permits, and other regulatory documentation at a single contact point. 

Our service makes your job easier while providing peace of mind that you avoid the risk of compliance errors by navigating the maze of FMCSA compliance on your own. We'll help you streamline your paperwork so you can focus on managing your operations.

Complete Your Required Filings on the FMCA Filings Website

If you have questions about whether you qualify for an applicable FMCSA agricultural exemption or anything else addressed by the FMCA registration guide, we are always standing by to assist. We make the filing process an easy one, so there's no need to struggle with filling out complicated, confusing forms.

Let FMCA Filings lighten your load as your central point for managing required filings. Contact us online anytime or chat with a live agent to get started. Our team looks forward to hearing from you.