In addition to the required FMCSA annual DOT inspection for passenger vehicles, farm labor contractors and agricultural employers are required to have form WH-514 or form WH-514a completed for them by an independent inspection company. For an additional cost, Truck Inspectors LLC can supply a completed WH-514/WH-514a form, on site, during your required annual DOT/FMCSA inspection. WH-514/WH-514a is an annual inspection and the form is valid for 12 months from the date of the inspection.
Truck Inspectors LLC serves these inspections non-virtually within Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties. St Lucie county service is available for fleets of 10 or more. We also have flexible hours and Sunday service available for inspection during off time. We recommend scheduling these inspections prior to your harvesting season.
- Form WH-514 is used when Department of Transportation standards apply. Busses, vans and other vehicles (excluding passenger cars and station wagons) used in day haul operations transporting workers greater than 75 miles.
- Form WH-514a is used when Department of Labor standards apply. This form is used for all passenger cars and station wagons, regardless of distance. Or for bus and van transport of less than 75 miles.
500.102 Applicability of vehicle safety standards.
(a) Any passenger automobile or station wagon used or caused to be used by any farm labor contractor, agricultural employer or agricultural association to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker shall meet the vehicle safety standards prescribed in § 500.104 (shown below)
(b) Any vehicle, other than a passenger automobile or station wagon, used or caused to be used by any farm labor contractor, agricultural employer or agricultural association to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker pursuant to a day-haul operation shall be subject to the safety standards prescribed under § 500.105.
(c) Any vehicle, other than a passenger automobile or station wagon, which has been or is being used or caused to be used for any trip of a distance greater than 75 miles by a farm labor contractor, agricultural employer or agricultural association to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker, shall be subject to the safety standards prescribed under § 500.105. One trip may have numerous intermediate stops.
(d) Any vehicle, other than a passenger automobile or station wagon, used or caused to be used by any farm labor contractor, agricultural employer or agricultural association to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker in any manner not addressed by paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section shall meet the vehicle safety standards prescribed in § 500.104.
(e) The use or intended use of a vehicle, other than a passenger automobile or station wagon, for transportation of the type identified in § 500.102(b) or § 500.102(c) will make the vehicle subject to the standards prescribed under § 500.105, so long as the vehicle is used for transportation subject to the Act and these regulations.
The above regulations, safety standards and insurance requirements do not apply to workers transported on a tractor, combine, harvester, picker or other similar equipment when the worker is actually engaged in the planting, cultivating or harvesting of any agricultural commodity.
These standards also do not apply to an individual migrant or seasonal agricultural worker when the only other occupants of that individuals vehicle consist of his/her immediate family members.
These standards and insurance requirements do not apply to carpooling if the carpooling arrangements are made by the workers themselves, using a workers own vehicle and not specifically directed or requested by an agricultural employer.
§ 500.104 Department of Labor standards for passenger automobiles and station wagons and other forms of transportation
Any farm labor contractor, agricultural employer or agricultural association providing transportation in passenger automobiles and station wagons and other vehicles used only for transportation as provided in § 500.102(a) and (d) shall comply with the following vehicle safety standards:
(a) External lights. Head lights, tail lights, stop lights, back-up lights, turn signals and hazard warning lights shall be operable.
(b) Brakes. Every vehicle shall be equipped with operable brakes for stopping and holding on an incline. Brake systems shall be free of leaks.
(c) Tires. Tires shall have at least 2/32 inch tread depth, and have no cracks/defects in the sidewall.
(d) Steering. The steering wheel and associated mechanism shall be maintained so as to safely and accurately turn the vehicles.
(e) Horn. Vehicles shall have an operable air or electric horn.
(f) Mirrors. Mirrors shall provide the driver full vision of the sides and to the rear of the vehicle.
(g) Windshields/windshield wipers. Windshields and windows may not have cracks or opaque obstructions which obscure vision. Vehicles shall be equipped with windshield wipers that are operational to allow the operator full frontal vision in all weather conditions.
(h) Fuel system. Fuel lines and the fuel tank shall be free of leaks. The tank shall be fitted with a cap to securely cover the filling opening.
(i) Exhaust system. The exhaust system shall discharge carbon monoxide away from the passenger compartment and be free of leaks beneath the passenger compartment.
(j) Ventilation. Windows will be operational to allow fresh air to the occupants of the vehicle.
(k) Safe loading. Vehicles will not be driven when loaded beyond the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating.
(l) Seats. A seat securely fastened to the vehicle will be provided for each occupant or rider in, or on, any vehicle, except that transportation which is primarily on private farm roads will be excused from this requirement provided the total distance traveled does not exceed ten (10) miles, and so long as the trip begins and ends on a farm owned or operated by the same employer.
(m) Handles and latches. Door handles and latches shall be provided and maintained to allow exiting capability for vehicle occupants.
(n) Passenger compartment. Floor and sides of any part of the vehicle to be occupied by passengers must be free of openings, rusted areas or other defects which are likely to result in injury to passengers.