New driving permit may be on the way for young farmers

Feb 05, 2021

An Iowa Senator is proposing a special license for 14- to 18-year-olds

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

An Iowa Senator is trying to pass legislation which would give young and responsible farmers an opportunity to do more around the family farm.

State Senator Tim Kapucian recently introduced Senate Study Bill 3002, which, if passed, would create a “special minor’s farm driver’s license” for people between 14- and 18-years-old who live on a farm or work on a farm.

The Iowa Department of Transportation would oversee issuing the licenses.

If the bill passes, teens must complete a driver’s education course unless it imposes “a hardship” upon them.

The license would allow holders to operate motor vehicles between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for farm work purposes. The licensee may also drive a vehicle from their home to the farm if the distance is fewer than 50 miles.

But past violations could disqualify someone from obtaining the Class C license.

Iowa farmers have indicated this kind of licensing would be a benefit to farm operations.

“This bill reflects the needs and wants of the folks here in Iowa,” State Sen. Dan Zumbach, who’s also a farmer from Ryan, said during Senate debate on Feb. 2, Radio Iowa reported.

Farms.com has contacted members of Iowa’s ag community for input on if this kind of license is something they support.

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