Agribusiness training exemption: CDL

Until June 30, 2011, you may get a 5-year restricted CDL without meeting the minimum training requirements if you’ll be operating a commercial motor vehicle only for agribusiness purposes. An “agribusiness” is a private carrier who primarily transports the following products during the normal course of business:

  • Farm machinery, farm equipment, and implements of husbandry.
  • Farm supplies and materials.
  • Seed, feed, fertilizer, and crop protection products.
  • Unprocessed agricultural commodities.
  • Any combination of the above.

How to apply

  1. The agribusiness employer must complete an Minimum Training Requirements Exemption Application. The form must be typed and include all of the following information:
    • Company name
    • Business purpose of the company
    • Company owner
    • Company’s Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number
    • Company’s email address
    • Company’s physical address
    • Company’s phone number
    • Company’s fax number
    • Driver’s name
    • Driver’s Washington driver license number
  2. The agribusiness employer must submit the completed, typed form to us by:
    • Mail to:
      CDL Program
      Department of Licensing
      PO Box 9030
      Olympia, WA 98507-9030
    • Fax to 360-570-4915.
    • Email to cdlprogram@dol.wa.gov.
  3. We’ll review the request. If it’s approved, we’ll assign the driver a unique ID number and return the approved form to the agribusiness employer.
  4. The agribusiness employer must give the original approved form to the driver.
  5. The driver must pass all applicable CDL knowledge and skills tests, and present the the approved agribusiness exemption form and the completed CDL Skills Test Results form at the driver licensing office.
  6. We’ll issue the driver a restricted CDL that allows them to operate a commercial vehicle only for agribusiness purposes.

How to remove the agribusiness restriction

To remove the restriction on your CDL that only allows you to operate a commmercial vehicle for agribusiness, you must visit a driver licensing office and present a school training certificate or an employer certificate.

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