Federal law prohibits children under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm
unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through this
course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do
field work with certain mechanized equipment. Certification is earned by completing a Hands-On
Safety Day with written test (Certification Day 1), then completing the Tractor and Equipment
Safety Training with driving exam (Certification Day 2). Successful completion of a Certification
Days 1 and 2 will result in certification for 14 and 15 year old youth to be employed on farms and
ranches.
For further information check the website at: https://go.unl.edu/2023tractorsafety
If you have questions please contact the administrator listed above at your driving site, or contact Tiffany Hoover at thoover6@unl.edu
Extension is a division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.