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CAMP HILL, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf recently signed Senate Bill 725 into law, which clarifies farmer’s use of Class C driver’s licenses, legislation that Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) supported. The bill, which takes effect immediately, specifically clarifies Act 170, which states that farmers do not need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a farm vehicle, or combination, with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 26,000 pounds or greater.

 

“With harvest season underway, and with famers needing to take heavier trucks out on the roads, it was essential for farmers to get this bill passed into law,” said PFB President Rick Ebert. “We are pleased that the legislature and the Governor acted quickly to clear up this confusion, and farmers can continue to work without having to worry.”

 

Recent action by State Police had left some confusion as to whether farmers needed a Class A license instead of the more common Class C when operating trucks or truck combinations with a gross vehicle weight more than 26,000 pounds. The law, introduced by Sen. Camera Bartolotta, now clearly states that farmers are permitted to operate vehicles with a GVW over 26,000 pounds with a Class C driver’s license.

 

 

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Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.