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Many farmers can get overwhelmed with the rules and regulations about commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and fuel tax information.

To ease their frustration Jason Bihl, organization director for Clinton, Fayette, Greene and Highland counties, organized an informational meeting with help from the Fayette County Extension Office. The meeting was held in September at the Extension office with about 55 attending.

Richard Beckner from the Department of Taxation and Sgt. Bob Knauff of the Ohio State Highway Patrol addressed the group about CDL taxation regulations. Beckner focused on the fuel use tax and how it applies to a farmer’s specific vehicles, dyed fuels and the Fuel Use Task Force. Knauff talked about farmers and farm employees being exempt from having to have a CDL if they stay off the highways and stay within 150 miles of their farms. Farmers also get a break, because they can be 5 percent over the gross vehicle weight limit.

"This stuff gets very confusing. I think this meeting really helped our members understand the rules and regulations better," Bihl said. "When members started calling our offices and asking questions about CDLs, I knew that there were many farmers out there who had questions but weren’t calling for help.

"This meeting was very helpful, and I think our members left here feeling more confidant."