Question
When do farm drivers have to meet physical qualifications?
Answer
Under federal rules, drivers of commercial vehicles must be medically qualified and carry a copy of a Medical Examiner's Certificate when they are driving across state lines. These rules have also been adopted by the State of Iowa for intrastate commerce. However, both federal and state laws provide exceptions for some farm vehicle drivers when driving within the scope of the farm operation.
We have provided a list to assist in determining when an Iowa licensed and farm-based vehicle driver needs to be medically qualified and carry a copy of their medical certificate with them.
No Mileage Limit
Iowa farmer or helper - intrastate commerce - no mileage limit:
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Pickup without a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Pickup with a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Straight truck without a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Straight truck with a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Truck-tractor/semitrailer: No medical certificate required
Within 150 Air Miles of Home Farm
Iowa farmer or helper - interstate commerce - within 150 air miles of home farm:
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Pickup without a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Pickup with a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Straight truck without a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Straight truck with a trailer: No medical certificate required.
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Truck-tractor/semitrailer: No medical certificate required.
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Iowa farmer or helper - interstate commerce - over 150 air miles from home farm:
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Pickup without a trailer: Medical certificate required if over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
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Pickup with a trailer: Medical certificate required if over 10,000 GCWR.
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Straight truck without a trailer: Medical certificate required.
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Straight truck with a trailer: Medical certificate required.
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Truck-tractor/semitrailer: Medical certificate required.