Vehicles: driver's licenses: farmers.

(1) Existing law authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a restricted class A driver's license for the operation of a 2-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing a livestock trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds, but not exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if specified conditions are met, including that the vehicle is operated by a farmer and is used to transport livestock. A violation of the Vehicle Code generally is an infraction. This bill would authorize the department to issue a class A or class B restricted driver's license for the operation of a vehicle in the production, harvesting, or transportation of silage by a farmer, employee of the farmer, or contracted employee of the farmer, between one part of a farm and another part of that farm or from one farm to another farm, on a highway for a distance not to exceed 20 miles from the point of origin of the trip. The bill would require the department to follow specified federal regulations in issuing those driver's licenses. The bill would require a licensed California driver applying for one of those driver's licenses, upon application and every 2 years thereafter, to submit medical information on a form approved by the department. Because a violation of the bill's provisions would be an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.