Hello,
I am compiling a nationwide survey of laws governing the operation of farm tractors on highways by youths under the age of 16 (under drivers license age). The main goal is to determine which states require the completion of a safety course before a "youthful operator" can drive a tractor on a highway. I'm finding that the majority of states have a license exemption statute which exempts farm tractor operators from needing a license. A small handful of these states have a minimum age listed. Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin require some kind of safety certification. Frankly, I'm surprised to find that only three states require a safety course and therefore I would REALLY appreciate help from the list to confirm or correct the information I have compiled. Below, I have listed each state and what I believe is the applicable statute governing the operation of farm equipment by youths on a highway. If you know that your state DOES require some kind of safety certification or has
restrictions that I have not listed, please let me know. I have come up empty for Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma. West Virginia and Wyoming. I suspect that this is because there are no license exemptions - all people must be licensed to operate any vehicle on the highway? If you are working in any one of these states, I would appreciate any leads you can provide. Note that federal labor law does require youths who are *employed* by farms to complete a safety course before operating farm machinery. My survey deals with state law that would apply to farm children who are working for their parents on the family farm.
Of course, please reply to me off list heidi.yelk@wicourts.gov
Thanks so much!
Heidi
Heidi Yelk
Reference/Electronic Services Librarian
Wisconsin State Law Library
Alabama - 32-6-2; license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Alaska
Arizona - 21-3152 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Arkansas - 27-16-603 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
California - California Vehicle Code 36300; 12501
Colorado - 42-2-102(b) license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Connecticut
Delaware - 21 Del. Code 2705 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Florida - 322.04 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Georgia - 40-5-21 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Hawaii - 286-105; license exemption - no person under the age of 13, no certificate required
Idaho - 49-302 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Illinois - 625 ILCS 5/6 102 license exemption; no age specified, prior law required operator to be at least 15 years old
Indiana - Indiana Code 9-24-1-7 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Iowa - 321.176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Kansas - 8-296. Farm permit required
Maine - 29 M.R.S. § 501 - not under the age of 15 - 29 M.R.S. § 510, no certificate required
Maryland - Trans 16-102 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Massachusetts - employment of minors, training required ALM GL ch. 149, § 62A and ALM GL ch. 149, § 62
Michigan 257-302 176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Minnesota - 171.03 176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Missouri - 302.080 176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Montana - 65-5-104 176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Nebraska - § 60-4,126. Farm permit required
Nevada - 483.240 176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
New Hampshire
New Jersey - 39:3-24 ???
New Mexico - 66-5-4 176 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
New York ?? Farm tractors and vehicles drawn by them may be operated by an unlicenced operator. 1962 Ops Atty Gen July 31. NY CLS Veh & Tr § 501
North Carolina - N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-10 No person under the age of 14 ; no certificate required
North Dakota -
Ohio - Ohio Code § 4507.03 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Oklahoma
Oregon 807-020 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Pennsylvania 75 § 1502 ; must be 14 years of age, restrictions for 14 and 15 year old, no certificate required
Rhode Island - 31-10-2 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
South Carolina - 56-1-30 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
South Dakota - 32-12-22.1 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Tennessee 55-50-304 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Texas - Trans Code 521.027 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Utah - 53.2-202 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Vermont - 23 VSA 602 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Virginia - 46.2-303 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
Washington - 46.20.025 license exemption; no age specified; no youthful operator certificate required
West Virginia
Wyoming
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