Section 40-5-148.1. Restricted commercial licenses for persons in agricultural industry

   (a) Pursuant to a waiver of the United States Secretary of Transportation, issued April 17, 1992, the department is authorized to issue Class B or Class C restricted commercial drivers' licenses to certain persons employed in the agricultural industry. Such restricted licenses shall be issued annually but shall not be valid for more than a total of 180 days in a 12 month period.

(b) A person shall not be required to pass a knowledge or skills test for issuance of a restricted commercial driver's license, except that such person shall possess a valid noncommercial driver's license, have at least one year's driving experience, submit an application for and submit proof of all information required for a commercial driver's license except for the testing requirements, and not be subject to any other disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle or be under any suspension or revocation of such person's regular driver's license.

(c) The holder of a restricted commercial driver's license issued pursuant to this Code section may operate a commercial motor vehicle only within 150 miles of the place of business at which such person is employed and only during such seasonal periods as indicated on such person's restricted driver's license. The holder of a restricted commercial driver's license shall be authorized to transport only the following hazardous materials requiring placarding: diesel fuel in quantities of 1,000 gallons or less; liquid fertilizers in vehicles with total capacities of 3,000 gallons or less, including anhydrous ammonia and other types of liquid fertilizers in vehicles or implements of husbandry with total capacities of 3,000 gallons or less; and solid fertilizers not mixed with any organic substance.

(d) All holders of restricted commercial drivers' licenses shall be subject to disqualifications and penalties under Code Sections 40-5-151 through 40-5-153 and shall be subject to all notices, verifications, and license checks otherwise required under this article.

(e) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement this Code section by September 1, 1993.

Code 1981, § 40-5-148.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 797, § 1; Ga. L. 2000, p. 951, § 5-55.