Oklahoma farmers have been concerned about whether new federal rules would require a commercial driver's license for operators of farm equipment. But the U.S. Department of Transportation says it doesn't intend to propose new regulations.

"I'm here on my 'implement of husbandry,'" he said. "Guess it's a good thing I have my commercial driver's license.

"But I couldn't let my hired hands drive it, since they don't have their commercial driver's license. We wouldn't want to risk citations, fines, arrest, maybe even execution." Farmers have been concerned for months that the federal government was gearing up to require a commercial driver's license for farmers who operate farm machinery, or what federal regulations call "implements of husbandry."

But the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Wednesday that it "has no intention to propose new regulations governing the transport of agricultural products."

The safety administration initiated a review to make sure states "don't go overboard in enforcing regulations on agricultural operators and to ensure consistent access to exemptions for farmers," a news release states.

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