Amendments to Section 3-809 of the Illinois Vehicle Code remove prior references to fertilizer nurse tanks and related equipment from the statute’s registration provisions. Under previous law, nurse tanks (up to 3,000 gallons) were eligible for registration under a reduced fee structure. The updated language eliminates this requirement, and nurse tanks are no longer specifically identified within Section 3-809. Accordingly, nurse tanks utilized in agricultural operations are now generally considered exempt implements of husbandry, provided they are operated in compliance with applicable provisions of Illinois law governing such equipment. In addition, the amendments eliminate the $250 annual registration requirement previously applied to certain self-propelled agricultural fertilizer implements. While these implements remain subject to operational limitations (including weight, width, speed, and distance restrictions), they are no longer subject to a specific registration fee under this Section.

The updated Restricted Class B CDL application now allows applicants to select up to 210 days of eligibility within a 12-month period, providing greater flexibility for seasonal and farm-related operations. This change aligns with renewal guidelines and ensures coverage during peak operational needs. 

IFCA has received clear guidance from both the Illinois Secretary of State CDL division and the Illinois State Police enforcement division that a Class A CDL is NOT required to transport ammonia nurse tanks.  Ammonia nurse tanks are implements of husbandry and as such, the weight of the nurse tank is not factored into the CDL weight classification.  Ag retail employees need a Class B CDL with hazmat endorsement no matter what the weight or combination of the nurse tanks (1,000 or 1,450 gallon nurse tanks pulled in singles, in tandem or mounted side-by-side on a single running gear).  Or, a restricted Class B Farm Service CDL is available to ag retail employees on a seasonal basis.  If you have any questions, please contact us.  

Effective January 30, 2012, all drivers applying for an Illinois CDL for the first time and all current CDL holders renewing, upgrading or replacing their CDL must visit a CDL facility to declare your driver category. The purpose of this new requirement is to create a national medical certificate data base for interstate motor carriers. If you are not a first time CDL holder and your license does not expire until after January 30, 2014, you must appear in person at one of the 47 Illinois CDL facilities prior to January 30, 2014 to declare one of the following categories:   1. Non-excepted interstate driver (NI) 2. Excepted interstate driver (EI) 3. Non-excepted intrastate driver (NA) 4. Excepted intrastate driver (EA)   Only people who mark non-excepted interstate (NI) will be required to submit their DOT Medical information to the SOS office. Keep in mind, all law enforcement officials in the U.S. will have access to the category you declare. If you are caught in an interstate operation and you chose category 2-4 you will be considered medically out of compliance.  If you have any questions, please contact the IFCA office.