KARROW AGRICULTURAL DRIVER'S LICENSE EXEMPTION BILL PASSES COMMITTEE

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow  that exempts agricultural driver’s licenses from certain graduated driver law restrictions when operating farm equipment and vehicles was approved today by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

“The latest statistics show there were nearly 60,000 motor vehicle accidents involving teenage drivers in this state in 2007. Thirty five teen drivers were killed along with 45 passengers. Clearly, I support the more stringent restrictions New Jersey imposed on teen drivers in 2001,” stated Karrow, R-Hunterdon and Warren. “However, those accidents occurred on our highways and roads, not on our farmlands.

“Traditionally, farming is a family business. As such, our farmers often rely on their teenage children to help farm the land,” she continued. “In order to do that, they need to be able to operate a variety of farm equipment, including tractors and trucks. Unfortunately, the restriction of operating a vehicle while under the supervision of a licensed driver over the age of 21 makes the agricultural driver’s license for teens virtually useless. Lifting this restriction for this very specific population will help ease an undue burden on our farmers.”

Historically, agricultural licenses were afforded the driving privileges of 17 year old licensees. When the graduated driver license program, which dramatically changed the scope of driving privileges of new drivers, was enacted in 2001, the holders of these agricultural permits and licenses were subjected to the same driving restrictions and requirements as 16 year olds who have been issued special learner’s permits.

Under Karrow’s bill, A-3545, the holders of special agricultural driving permits and licenses would be subject to all the applicable requirements, restrictions and penalties of the 2001 graduated driver license program with one exception – agricultural licensees would be permitted to operate farm equipment and trucks without being accompanied, or under the supervision, of a licensed New Jersey driver over the age of 21.

Special agricultural driving permits and licenses have been in existence since 1942. Prior to the new restrictions, these permits and licenses allowed 16 year olds to operate farm equipment and trucks registered as farm vehicles while directly and exclusively engaged in farming activities.

The bill now heads to the General Assembly for a full vote.