(a) General obligations. Each farm labor contractor, agricultural
employer and agricultural association which uses, or causes to be used,
any vehicle to transport a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker shall
ensure that such vehicle conforms to vehicle safety standards prescribed
by the Secretary of Labor under the Act and with other applicable
Federal and State safety standards. Each farm labor contractor,
agricultural employer and agricultural association shall also ensure
that each driver of any such vehicle has a currently valid motor vehicle
operator's permit or license, as provided by applicable State law, to
operate the vehicle.
(b) Proof of compliance with vehicle safety standards. Prima facie
evidence that safety standards have been met will be shown by the
presence of a current State vehicle inspection sticker. Such sticker
will not, however, relieve the farm labor contractor, agricultural
employer or agricultural association from responsibility for maintaining
the
vehicle in accordance with Sec. 500.104 or Sec. 500.105, as applicable.
(c) Uses or causes to be used. The term ``uses or causes to be
used'' as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section does not include
carpooling arrangements made by the workers themselves, using one of the
workers' own vehicles. However, carpooling does not include any
transportation arrangement in which a farm labor contractor participates
or which is specifically directed or requested by an agricultural
employer or an agricultural association.
