The Cabinet of Ministers has changed the rules for drivers: who is now allowed to operate agricultural machinery
6 April 22:58
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has simplified the rules for operating certain types of agricultural machinery for drivers holding C1, C, D1, and D category licenses. The government approved the relevant amendments on April 6 to Resolution No. 217. This was reported by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Now, drivers of trucks, buses, and minibuses with these license categories can operate certain types of agricultural machinery without obtaining a tractor-operator license, even if they have less than three years of driving experience.
Previously, this was only possible with at least three years of driving experience.
What exactly has changed
This refers to authorization to operate vehicles in categories A1, A2, B1, B2, and B3. The Ministry of Economy’s statement explains that this includes, in particular, tractors, self-propelled grain and corn harvesters, as well as self-propelled machines for harvesting root crops, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and berries.
Prior to the changes, holders of C1, C, D1, and D licenses could operate such equipment only after meeting the three-year driving experience requirement. The government has now removed this condition so that agricultural enterprises can hire workers more quickly.
Why did the government take this step?
The Ministry of Economy explained the decision by citing the war and the labor shortage in the agricultural sector. The ministry noted that, given the shortage of tractor operators, the three-year experience requirement significantly limited the ability to quickly find people for work, especially during planting and harvesting seasons.
That is why the government expects that the new rule will help agricultural enterprises fill vacancies faster, carry out field work on time, and support the country’s food security.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
Who exactly is now allowed to operate agricultural machinery
The new rule applies to drivers who already hold a license to operate:
- trucks — categories C1, C;
- minibuses and buses — categories D1, D.
In other words, the government has not granted access to agricultural machinery to all drivers without exception, but specifically to those who already have the right to drive heavier vehicles and can potentially adapt more quickly to operating agricultural machinery.
What are the important restrictions
The Ministry of Economy specifically notes: this provision applies only during martial law and for an additional 90 days after its termination or repeal. Furthermore, this simplification does not grant the right to drive this equipment on public roads.
In fact, this is a temporary measure to facilitate access to work specifically in the field and within the scope of agricultural operations, rather than a complete replacement of the tractor-operator license in all cases. This logically follows from the restriction on using the equipment off public roads.
Why this is important for farmers
For agricultural enterprises, the decision means the ability to recruit workers more quickly during peak seasons, when there is particularly little time to search for and train staff. In wartime conditions, this has practical significance, as the shortage of machine operators and tractor drivers directly affects the pace of fieldwork. This is precisely what the Ministry of Economy refers to when discussing the need to adhere to agricultural deadlines.
In other words, the government is not trying to overhaul the entire certification system, but rather to temporarily remove one of the bureaucratic barriers that has hindered the labor market in the agricultural sector.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
