"We want to make crystal clear that we are not imposing any new
regulations."  Earlier this year, farm groups came to FMCSA with
concerns that some states might not allow exemptions to
Commercial Drivers License (CDL) requirements for certain farm
operations using "crop-share" leasing.  When FMCSA investigated,
there appeared to be wide differences among states in how the
"for-hire" and related agricultural exceptions were being
applied. In order to ensure consistency,  FMCSA asked state
officials to cease all new entrant safety audits on farmers
engaged in "crop-share" leasing and issued the public notice
soliciting input that would provide insight on the complex use
of farm equipment on public roads.  The guidance released today,
which is based on that input, clarifies three critical issues:
Generally, the states and the industry have a common
understanding on this point. To the extent that fact-specific
questions arise, the Agency will work with the states and the
industry to provide a clarification for