Government has abolished the requirement of three years of experience to obtain a license to operate agricultural machinery

Following a meeting with Ukrainian agricultural producers, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted an important decision to address the lack of personnel in the agricultural sector. This was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

“The Government has abolished the requirement of three years of experience to obtain a license to operate agricultural machinery,” said the Head of Government.

Thus, drivers who hold licenses to operate trucks, buses, and minibuses (categories C1, C, D1, D), even with up to three years of experience, are now authorized to operate certain types of agricultural machinery without obtaining a tractor operator’s license.

This applies to machines in categories A1, A2, B1, B2, and B3—tractors, self-propelled grain and corn harvesters, self-propelled machines for harvesting root crops, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and berries, etc.

Many tractor operators are currently defending the country in the ranks of the Defense Forces. As a result, agricultural producers are facing a labor shortage.

“Simplifying these requirements will help attract additional workers, especially during peak fieldwork periods—planting and harvesting. This is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure the country’s food security,” emphasized Yulia Svyrydenko.