By Andi Anderson
The collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) and the Illinois Secretary of State's office has resulted in the implementation of a new driver's license restriction, known as the J52 restriction, aimed at alleviating the shortage of rural bus and farm truck drivers in Illinois.
Effective March 18, the J52 restriction allows individuals holding a Class B or C Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate a Class A covered farm vehicle (CFV) without the need to upgrade their CDL to a Class A license.
Rodney Knittel, associate director of transportation and infrastructure at IFB, highlighted that the implementation of this restriction addresses concerns raised by members who were unable to drive semi-trailer combination covered farm vehicles without undergoing Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT). By introducing the J52 restriction, individuals holding a Class B CDL or C license can now also operate tractor-trailer combination vehicles for farm use.
This initiative is expected to benefit both school districts and Illinois farmers by providing relief to the shortage of drivers for farm-related tasks.
The collaboration between IFB and the Secretary of State's office demonstrates a concerted effort to address the needs of farmers and rural communities. Erin Henkel, spokesperson for the Secretary of State, expressed appreciation for IFB's cooperation in implementing the change, emphasizing its positive impact on farmers and rural communities facing various challenges.
To qualify for the J52 restriction, drivers must successfully complete all relevant exams, including core, combination, airbrake, and the three parts of the skills test. Additionally, applicants adding the J52 restriction to a Class B or C CDL with an L (Air Brake) restriction must hold a Commercial Learner's Permit for 14 days. The L restriction will be removed once the applicant passes the necessary exams for the Class A CFV.
Individuals eligible for the J52 restriction may operate a Class A CFV with farm plates to transport farm products, equipment, or supplies within Illinois or interstate within 150 miles of the farm.
For more inquiries about this change, individuals can contact Rodney Knittel at IFB via phone at 309-557-3662 or email at rknittel@ilfb.org.
Photo Credit: Illinois Farm Bureau
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy