Farm Equipment License Requirements in Iowa

Scope

• The state of Iowa licenses individuals who operate specific types of vehicle. The class D chauffeur's license is a non-commercial license that applies to light straight trucks and truck-tractors pulling a semi-trailer. Farmers using a farm truck to transport their own property within 150 miles of their farm do not need a class D license. Only vehicles or combinations of vehicles that meet specific size and weight requirements are regulated by the class D license. The type of vehicles a farmer can operate with a class D license are defined by the endorsements on their license.

Endorsements

• Of the three endorsements available for class D licenses, only endorsements one and two apply to farm vehicles. Endorsement one includes farm trucks pulling a trailer that are exempt from licensing under the regulations for Commercial Drivers Licenses. Under these regulations, any combination of vehicles with a combined GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs. pulling a trailer of more than 10,000 lbs. or a vehicle more than 26,000 lbs. with a trailer weighing less than 10,000 lbs. respectively require a class A or B CDL. The second endorsement for class D non-commercial licenses includes vehicles with a GWVR between 16,001 and 26,000 lbs.

License Requirements

• Iowa's class D license is only available to drivers at least 18 years old. Drivers are required to pass a vision test and a general knowledge test. Drivers who already have a license from another state are required to turn it in before receiving their Iowa license. Drivers who already possess an equivalent license issued by another state can have the the knowledge and driving tests waived. Drivers are also required to complete a practical driving test in the largest vehicle that they intend to use. The class D chauffeur's license is valid for five years for drivers between 18 and 69 years old. Drivers over age 69 must renew their license every two years.

Permit

• Drivers who need to learn how to operate a farm vehicles that falls under the purview of the class D licensing regulations can obtain a chauffeur's instruction permit. The class D permit also requires a vision and knowledge test. Only drivers 18 years or older can apply for this type of permit and they are prohibited from driving unless accompanied by another person with a full class D permit.