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License and ID

CDL Class B or C for seasonal farm

A seasonal farm driver's license is a commercial driver’s license (CDL) that is issued for a specific time period to operate a class B or C commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for a farm-related service industry. There are certain conditions.  

How do I get the license?

You must be at least 18 years old. You can apply for the license without taking any of the written tests as long as you meet the following requirements and are employed by a farm retail outlet or supplier, agri-chemical business, custom harvester or livestock feeder.

You must have held a valid driver’s license for at least one year, and during the last two years have not:

  • Had your driving privileges suspended, revoked or canceled for any reason while driving any type of motor vehicle.
  • Had any accident where you received a ticket.  
  • Been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, leaving the scene of any accident, committing any felony involving a motor vehicle, or any other serious traffic violations.

Ugrading to the license

To upgrade to the seasonal CDL, you may apply at any driver’s license renewal office or driver exam station that accepts driver’s license applications. You will be required to provide the following:

  • You must show proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency or employment authorization in the U.S.  One of the following documents is acceptable proof:  
    • A valid, unexpired U.S. passport book/card.  
    • A U.S. certified birth certificate.  
    • A Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State.  
    • A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship issued by U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  
    • A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card.  
    • An unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD) or an unexpired foreign passport with an approved I-94 form. 
  • Complete the Commercial Driver License Medical Self-Certification form.
  • Provide a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), if applicable.
  • Complete the seasonal CDL waiver form.

You will be required to pay the full renewal fee for the upgraded license, including motorcycle endorsement renewal fee, if you have the endorsement. To renew the seasonal license the next year, you will apply for a duplicate license to update the dates of your seasonal CDL.

Name Change?

If the name on your document has changed you must also present proof of your legal name change(s):  

  • Certified marriage certificate(s).  
  • Certified divorce decree(s).  
  • Certified court order(s).  

Divorce decrees or other court orders must specify your name change. Your identity and name change documents need to show a clear link between the document listed above and your current name.

What are the restrictions?

You may operate a CMV only during the seasonal period that you select, which may not exceed 210 days in a row or three 70-day periods in a calendar year. 

The 70-day seasonal CDL allows you more flexibility to space out commercial driving during busy seasons. You may drive non-commercial vehicles all year. You must update the restricted seasonal CDL before your driving season starts. You must fill out the seasonal CDL waiver for each of your seasonal driving periods. 

You may not drive a CMV outside of a 150-mile radius of the business or farm where you’re working. When you are driving a vehicle that is required to display hazardous materials placards, you are strictly limited to:

  • 1,000 gallons or less of diesel fuel
  • Liquid fertilizers, including anhydrous ammonia, in vehicles with a total capacity of 3,000 gallons or less
  • Solid fertilizers that are not mixed with any organic substance

You are subject to all CDL disqualification penalties. You must maintain a good driving record or your commercial driving privileges will be canceled.

Fees

Refer to the Complete Driver’s License Fee Page to see all fees, including endorsement fees.

Laws

Minnesota Statute 171.02