31-7-303. Exemptions.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the department shall by rule and regulation grant an exemption from the licensing and other requirements of this article or from the requirements of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this article to a class of persons or class of commercial motor vehicles exempted by the secretary of the United States department of transportation pursuant to title 49 of the United States Code including:

(i) A farm or ranch vehicle when:

(A) Controlled and operated by a farmer or rancher, including operation by employees or family members;

(B) Used in agricultural operations as defined in W.S. 31-18-801(a)(i), exempted under W.S. 31-18-103(a) and used to transport either agricultural products, farm or ranch machinery, farm or ranch supplies, or any combination of these items, to or from a farm or ranch; and

(C) Not used in the operations of a contract or common motor carrier.

(ii) Firefighters and other persons who operate commercial motor vehicles which are necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions, are equipped with audible and visual signals and are not subject to normal traffic regulation. These vehicles include fire trucks, hook and ladder trucks, foam or water transport trucks, police special weapons and tactics team vehicles, ambulances or other vehicles that are used in response to emergencies;

(iii) Individuals who operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes. This exception is applicable to active duty military personnel, members of the military reserves, members of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time national guard training, civilian national guard military technicians who are required to wear military uniforms and active duty United States coast guard personnel.

(b) The department of transportation shall by rule and regulation grant to any person or class of persons specified under subsection (a) of this section any exemption from the requirements of this title that is granted by the secretary of the United States department of transportation.