The Iowa Department of Transportation would oversee issuing the licenses.
If the bill passes, teens must complete a driver’s education course unless it imposes “a hardship” upon them.
The license would allow holders to operate motor vehicles between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for farm work purposes. The licensee may also drive a vehicle from their home to the farm if the distance is fewer than 50 miles.
But past violations could disqualify someone from obtaining the Class C license.
Iowa farmers have indicated this kind of licensing would be a benefit to farm operations.
“This bill reflects the needs and wants of the folks here in Iowa,” State Sen. Dan Zumbach, who’s also a farmer from Ryan, said during Senate debate on Feb. 2, Radio Iowa reported.
Farms.com has contacted members of Iowa’s ag community for input on if this kind of license is something they support.