Indiana: Improved Restricted Class B CDL Policy Provides Greater Flexibility For Agricultural Retailers

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced new seasonal options available for the Restricted Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which will provide greater flexibility for producers and agricultural retailers. The new policy will take effect on Feb. 1, 2017. "During the planting and harvest seasons, those in agriculture have enough to worry about without making it tougher for them to get the proper CDL," said BMV Commissioner Kent Abernathy. "This new policy gives them more flexibility."  Prior to this policy change, those in agricultural transport were only able to haul seasonal loads during predesignated periods of time. During planting season in particular, this put some producers and agricultural retailers at a disadvantage who, regardless of climate or their specific operations, were unable to haul loads before April 2.  Under this new policy, drivers will be able to custom tailor their Restricted Class B CDL license to their own needs and will no longer be restricted to predesignated periods of time.