Agriculture and the Public Roads

In Partnership with:

Contact Details

Ulster Farmers’ Union

Telephone: 028 9037 0222

Email: info@ufuhq.com

PSNI

Telephone: 101 (ask for the relevant department)

Email: abloads@psni.pnn.police.uk – queries relang to abnormal loads and

specialist advice relang to security of farm equipment and machinery.

[email protected] – general enquires

NIEA

Telephone: 0300 200 7856

Email: nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

HSENI

Telephone: 0800 0320 121

Email : [email protected]

HMRC

Telephone: 0300 200 3300

CAFRE

Telephone: 028 9442 6880

Email: industry.trainingadmin@daera-ni.gov.uk

LANTRA

Telephone: 07867 908171.

Email: [email protected]

DVLA

General Enquires: 0300 7906801

Registraon and Tax: 0300 790 6802

Medical Queries: 0300 790 6806

I am a farmer, can I use a tractor licensed as an agriculture machine and running

on red diesel to move grain by public road from the eld to my store?

Yes, as this road use is accepted as being incidental to the agricultural operaon of

harvesng the crop.

I am a contractor, employed by a farmer to assist with the harvest. Can I use a

tractor licensed as an agricultural machine and running on red diesel to move grain

by public road from the eld to the farmers store?

Yes, providing the tractor is being used as an integral part of the harvesng team e.g.

it is being used in the eld as well as the road, the same rules apply to the farmer.

Can I use an agricultural machine running on red diesel to collect agricultural

inputs (feeds, ferlizers, fence post etc.) from the retailer?

Yes, if you are the farmer and are going to use these products on your own farm.

Contractors can only use red diesel when employed by the farmer to perform an

operaon involving the use of these products.

I am a farmer; can I use a tractor licensed as an agricultural machine running on

red diesel to move my agricultural plasc waste from my yard to a collecon site or

waste p?

Yes.

I want to use my tractor for ditch clearing for land drainage. Can I use a tractor

licensed as an agricultural machine running on red diesel on the public road?

Yes, provided that you only carry out drainage work for agricultural benet on

agricultural land – not for ood prevenon etc.

I want to haul an excavator on a low loader pulled by a tractor to clean ditches on

my own land, or land that I farm. Can I use a tractor licensed as an agricultural

machine and running on red diesel on the public road?

Yes, provided you only carry out drainage work for agricultural benet on

agricultural land and you do other agricultural work on the land with the tractor, not

just ditch clearing.

I want to use my agricultural machine as a grier. Can I use red diesel?

Yes.

Agriculture and the Public Roads

Contents:

Introducon………………………………………………………………………………………1

Important disclaimer………………………………………………………………………….2

Tax Classicaon……………………………………………………………………………….3

Agricultural Machines………………………………………………………………………..4

Tractors, Agricultural Engines and Handlers……………………………..……….5

Light Agricultural Vehicles………………………………………………………………….9

Noise and Emissions………………………………………………………………………..11

Trailers and Towed Appliances………………………………………………………..12

Projecons ……………………………………………………………………………………..16

Operaonal and Road Safety…………………………………………………………..18

Rebated Fuel……………………………………………………………………………………22

Licencing………………………………………………………………………………………….23

Transporng Waste…………………………………………………………………………26

Frequently Asked Quesons…………………………………………………………….27

Contacts…………………………………………………………………………………………..36

Introducon

This is the updated edion of the Agricultural and the Public Roads booklet; it aims

to present relevant informaon in a simple and easy to read format.

If you were familiar with the 2014 edion, you may wish to spend some me

familiarising yourself with the updated regulaons in this edion.

We would like to express our gratude to the PSNI, HSENI, LANTRA , and CAFRE for

their enthusiasc support and invaluable contribuons. We hope that they will

connue to join us in the eort to make Northern Ireland’s roads safer for

everyone.

Ulster Farmers’ Union

January 2019

I am a contractor employed by a farmer to transport and spread waste on his or

her elds as an agricultural input. Can I use a tractor licensed as an agricultural

machine and running on red diesel on a public road?

If a substance is being used for some purpose such as oil enrichment, rather than

simply being discarded then it is not waste but an agricultural waste by-product. As

such this would count as agricultural acvity rather than haulage.

Please provide an example of a limited use vehicle. What distance can these

machines travel on public roads?

A limited use vehicle can be any type of vehicle as long as it abides by the

limitaons of that class.

The accepted vehicle category for this type of vehicle is vehicles used between

dierent parts of the land. The limitaon on use of these vehicles are:

 It is used only for the purposes relang to agriculture, horculture or

forestry.

 It is used on public roads only in passing in between dierent areas of land

occupied by the same person.

 The distance it travels on public roads between such areas does not exceed

1.5km.

 The vehicle has an excise licence as a limited use vehicle.

 If any of the above condions are broken, then the vehicle loses its

excepted status and must be fuelled with fully duty paid fuel.

What is the situaon regarding a farmer transporng his or her produce to point

of sale, whilst using red diesel?

Own produce/ livestock being moved using own equipment is acceptable.

Employing a contractor purely to move produce/ livestock to point of sale would

be considered as haulage and not an agricultural acvity.

Rebated fuel

Is there a limitaon on the distance a special concessionary vehicle can travel on

the road whilst using red diesel?

No, provided the work being undertaken is solely related to agriculture, horculture

or forestry there is no distance limit.

What government agencies have the authority to dip for red diesel?

Any government agency or public sector authority authorised by HMRC.

What is the situaon for a farmer assisng his neighbour at harvest, slurry me

etc.?

The test is based on the nature of the acvity. If the work being done is agricultural

in nature, then the use of red diesel is permied.

Can agricultural contractors who specialise in farm contracng legally use red

diesel?

Again, the test is based on the nature of the work being undertaken, if the job which

the contractor is undertaking is agricultural in its nature then red diesel is

permied. Harvesng, ploughing, spreading slurry etc. are all intrinsic to agriculture

and can be done using red diesel. Other acvies like drainage, making cow lanes,

lling in hollows in elds, removing soil and rubble etc. are more complex as they

need to be incidental to an agricultural purpose. For example, if you move soil from

a site to ll in hollows in a eld this is agricultural acvity; simply moving the soil

from one site to another is not.

Can farmers who are construcng or building farm buildings bring in blocks and

building equipment by use of a tractor and red diesel?

Using a tractor to transport building materials is not agricultural work. However, a

concession would be made if a farmer was using their own tractor to bring materials

to their site for the repair of their own agricultural building.

Important Disclaimer

ALL INFORMATION IN THIS BOOKLET IS, TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE,

ACCURATE GUIDANCE TO THE LAW AS WE UNDERSTAND IT ON THE 12

DECEMBER 2018.

ULTIMATELY THE FINAL INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW IS A MATTER FOR THE

COURTS AND THE UFU, OUR OFFICE BEARERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS CAN

ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LIABILITY WHICH MAY BE INCURRED IN ANY

SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

PLEASE ALSO BE ADVISED THAT LEGISLATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. YOU CAN

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATION AT WWW.GOV.UK

Tax Classicaon

All vehicles which are used on the road must be registered and taxed according to

their construcon and use and must be covered by valid insurance.

*Even though your vehicle may be exempt from tax, you will sll need to register it.

Tax discs no longer have to be displayed as of October 2014 *

* If you wish to keep your vehicle o the road enrely, you will need to make a

Statutory O Road Nocaon (SORN)*

The classicaons relevant to this booklet are:

 Special Concessionary Vehicles – These vehicles are exempt from tax

payment and include “agricultural machines.”

 Light Good Vehicles – These are vehicles with a gross permied vehicle

weight of up to 3500kg and designed for the carriage of goods e.g. vans.

 Limited Use Vehicles – These are vehicles used for short journeys (no more

than 1.5km) on the public road, between land that is occupied by the same

person for the purpose of agriculture, horculture or forestry. These

vehicles have a nil licence in force.

4. Large/Heavy Goods Vehicles (L/HGV) – These are general goods carrying

vehicles with a maximum permissible gross vehicle weight greater than

3500kg.

Where a spillage (including slurry/ pescides) has occurred and may put a

watercourse at risk, it is important to ring the NIEA polluon hotline 0800 80 70 60

as soon as you are aware of it.

The Hazardous Waste Regulaons (Northern Ireland) 2005 applies to agriculture as

they do to other business sectors. Typical examples of hazardous waste produced

on farms include asbestos (all types), oils, lead acid baeries, anfreeze, uorescent

light tubes and agrochemical concentrates. Hazardous wastes are those which are

dangerous and dicult to handle. If your business produces hazardous waste, you

have a duty of care to make sure it is disposed of properly. You must take all

measures applicable in your capacity to:

 Prevent the deposits of controlled waste on land except under the terms of

waste management authorisaon.

 Prevent the escape of waste from his/her control, or that of any other

person.

 Ensure that any transfer of waste is only to an authorised person.

 Be accompanied by a descripon adequate enough to help any subsequent

holder avoid breach of duty.

If you are in doubt contact NIEA.

If you are going to be transporng hazardous waste, you will need to register as an

upper-er waste carrier on your Single Applicaon Form.

 Is it further use lawful in the sense that: it fulls all relevant product,

environment and health requirements for the specic use to be made of it;

and it will not have an adverse impact on the environment or human health?

Agricultural waste is waste produced at agricultural premises as a result of an

agricultural acvity. This denion does not include waste produced at sites such as

riding stables, farm shops, kennels and animal parks.

A “waste carrier” is someone who is normally or regularly transport waste. As such,

it is likely that most farmers will fall under this category.

Where cale slurry is on roads, failure to clean the road could lead to a water

polluon incident and enforcement acon could be taken by NIEA.

The Nitrates Acon Programme Regulaons (Northern Ireland) 2014 - Regulaon 4

imposes an obligaon on the controller of a holding to prevent water polluon. The

potenal oence under the Water Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1999:

Regulaon 7.—(1) , a person commits an oence if, whether knowingly or

otherwise if:

 He/she discharges or deposits any poisonous, noxious or pollung maer so

that it enters a waterway or water contained in any underground strata; or

 He/she discharges or deposits any maer so that it enters a waterway or

water contained in any underground strata and tends either directly or in

combinaon with similar acts to impede the proper ow of the water of the

waterway or strata in a manner leading to or likely to lead to polluon or a

substanal aggravaon of polluon due to other causes or of its

consequences.

Agricultural Machines

These vehicles must only be driven on public roads when engaging in agriculture,

horculture or forestry purposes or when travelling to or from a place where it will

engage in such purposes.

This includes:

 Agricultural Tractors- these can only be used on public roads for agriculture,

horculture or forestry work only.

 O- Road Tractors – a non-agricultural tractor designed for o- road use.

 Agricultural Engine - these are purpose built vehicles (for agriculture) e.g. self

-propelled forage harvester or combine harvester.

 Agriculture Material Handler – these are specialist vehicles which are

designed to li goods or burden when the vehicle is staonary.

 Light Agricultural Vehicles – these are one person vehicles weighing less than

1000kg, designed and constructed primarily for o- road use and to be used

solely for purposes relang to agriculture, horculture or forestry work e.g.

All- Terrain Vehicles such as quads.

“Agricultural purposes” not only includes those acvies commonly associated with

farming such as planng, harvesng and the transport of farm animals, but also;

cung hedges or trees, gring, and snow clearance. You are also permied to

transport agricultural waste and machinery required for agricultural acvies.

Simply moving any of the above items from one place to another, for purposes not

related to an agricultural acvity does not count.

It does not include the transport of machinery, materials or animals not directly

related to agriculture.

*These vehicles are limited to 25mph on public roads, unless they meet the

requirements necessary to be able to travel at 40mph – which most do not and

should only be driven on the road where it is necessary for agriculture, horculture

or forestry purposes*

* If you fail to comply with these requirements, your vehicle will be classed as a

haulage vehicle and lose its tax-free status and derogaons on issues such as the

ng of tachographs*

Tractors and Agricultural Engines and Handlers

Dimensions

Width: no more than 3m

 3- 3.5m – if your journey is over 5 miles or involves travelling through a zone

where the speed limit is 40mph or less, you must nofy the police 2 days in

advance on your journey, mark the vehicle with “wide load” signs and use a

beacon.

 3.5-4.3m – police must be noed 2 days before the journey. Maximum

speed is 12mph. You will need to be accompanied by an aendant (who may

ride in another vehicle) who must ensure that no danger is caused to the

vehicle or to other road users. The police may place further restricons on

travel to ensure road safety and avoid undue congeson. Mark the vehicle

with “wide load” signs and use a beacon.

Height: If overall travelling height exceeds 3m a noce must be displayed in the

cab. The noce must meet the following requirements:

 Can be read by the driver

 Clearly indicates the height associated with the vehicle or any trailer drawn

by it.

 Express vehicle height in feet and inches, or in both feet, inches and metres

 The numbers giving the indicaon in feet and inches are at least 40mm tall;

 If the height is expressed in both feet, inches and in metres, the height

expressed in feet and inches and the height expressed in metres must not

dier by more than 50mm.

 No other leers or numbers which could be understood as being an

indicaon of height associated with the vehicle or any trailer drawn by it

should be displayed on the noce.

You should also be aware that a height restricon of 4.65m does apply in the

Republic of Ireland.

Length: no greater than 12m. It is unlikely this will be exceeded.

Maximum Authorised Mass: must not exceed 31 000kg

You should also ensure that the distance to be travelled on the road is as short as

possible. It is also important to make sure that whoever is working with the animals

is competent to do so.

You will also need to make sure that where you are moving your animals to is

suitable for them. It will need to be adequately fenced and gated so as to prevent

unaended animals geng onto the road. You should also check on them regularly

to ensure that they have not broken out. If they do manage to break out, you must

get them under control as quickly and safely as possible. Bear in mind that when an

animal is excited or feels threatened they can become very dangerous.

If you come upon animals being moved along a road, do NOT try to drive through

them. Such foolish acon will only cause the animals to panic and stampede,

causing injury to those handling them. Instead stop a good distance back from

where the aendant is posed and switch o your engine.

When the operaon is complete you must make sure that the road is returned to in

a safe condion. This will require you to clean up any dirt on the road le by

animals.

Moving Waste

What counts as waste and how do I take care of it?

The denion of waste from the 2008 Waste Framework Direcves (Direcve

2008/98/EC) is ‘’any substance or object which the holder discards, intends to, or is

required to discard.” This denion is very broad and thus encapsulates anything

which you tend to discard. Discard has a special meaning which is not necessarily

the same as the diconary meaning. It includes not only the disposal of a substance

or object but also its recovery or recycling.

There is however a dierence between “waste” and “by-products.” If the answer to

the following four queson is “yes” then it will be a by-product and thus not waste.

 Is further use of the substance or objects not just a possibility but a

certainty?

 Can it be used directly, without any further processing prior to its use?

 Has it been produced as an integral part of a producon process?

Moving Animals

What do I need to do in order to move animals on the road?

If you wish to transport your animals along the road in a vehicle for economic

purposes, you need to make sure that:

 The journey is properly planned, me is kept to a minimum and the animals

are checked and their needs met during the journey.

 The animals are t to travel.

 The vehicle, loading and unloading facilies are designed, constructed and

maintained to avoid injury and suering.

 Those handling animals are trained and competent in the task and do not use

violence or any methods likely to cause unnecessary fear, injury or suering.

 Water, feed and rest are given to the animals as needed and sucient oor

space and height is allowed.

You will also need to obtain a cercate of competence to be permied to

transport animals in this way.

If your journey is over 65km, you will need to obtain a transport authorisaon: if the

journey will take eight hours or less, a short journey authorisaon will be sucient.

If the journey is longer than eight hours or involving sea transport a long journey

authorisaon will be necessary.

If you want to walk your animals along a public road, you must observe safeguards.

There should be at least one person in front and one person behind the animals at

all me. These aendants should be visible to other road users. If necessary and if

you have enough personnel, post other aendants to points in the road, such as

bends of hills so that vehicles can see them from a reasonable distance. If you see

an oncoming vehicle ag it down.

LANTRA oer the required qualicaon for transporng animals and can also advise

you on training providers in your area that deliver the same qualicaon. See

contact details at the back of this booklet.

Physical Requirements

Lights:

Lights are not required on an agricultural vehicle which is only used on the roads

during the hours of daylight when visibility is good. However, if they are ed,

they must be in working condion.

During the hours of darkness and during mes of poor visibility, the following

applies.

Agricultural vehicles of any age and capable of any speed must be equipped with:

 Front posion lamp (side lamp)

 Rear posion lamp (tail lamp)

 Rear retro- reector.

Agricultural vehicles which rst use is aer 24

January 1996 and are capable of

more than 15mph must be equipped with the above as well as:

 Dipped – beam headlights

 Direcon indicators

 Hazard warning lights

Agricultural machines capable of more than 25mph must be equipped with

the above as well as:

 Main- beam headlamp

 Rear fog lamp

 Stop lamp

An amber warning beacon must be used if you are travelling on an unrestricted

(70mph) dual carriageway and where the maximum speed of the vehicle does not

exceed 25mph. It is at the driver’s discreon to use the beacon at other mes and

at other locaons.

If your vehicle is ed with work lamps you must not use these on public roads.

*All lights must be kept clean and be visible to other road users from a reasonable

distance. *

Mirrors:

All special concessionary vehicles, including agricultural machines, must be

equipped with at least one mirror ed externally to the oside. Mirrors must

also be kept clean.

Brakes:

Braking eciency of at least 25% is required so as to bring the vehicle to rest at a

reasonable distance.

If your tractor meets the requirements to allow it to travel at speeds greater

than 20 mph, you need to make sure your brakes comply with ECE Regulaon 13

or EEC Direcve 71/320/EEC. You should consult with your manufacturer for

details. Most tractors do not meet these requirements and so this will not be

relevant.

All tractors must also have a parking brake which is capable of holding the

vehicle staonary on a gradient of at least 16%.

Registraon:

Your registraon plate on the rear of the vehicle should always be clear and

visible from a reasonable distance. You should thus ensure that it is illuminated

during the hours of darkness or in cases of poor visibility.

Fuel: all special concessionary vehicles are allowed to travel any distance on

public roads on rebated fuel provided they are used for agricultural, horcultural

or forestry purposes.

If you wish to carry an animal in the vehicle, you must make sure that it does not

obstruct you in any way and if necessary, restrain it so that it cannot interfere with

you operang the machine safely. You must NOT leave an animal in a vehicle

without adequate venlaon.

When should I pull over to allow a queue of vehicles to pass?

You should not allow a queue of eight vehicles or up to three miles of trac to

build up behind you. This can cause undue frustraon to drivers and may lead to

them taking risks. In addion, allowing a queue of this length to build up

unnecessarily, may lead to a charge of careless driving.

It is good pracce, as well as good manners, to pull over where it is safe and

appropriate to do so to allow faster vehicles to pass. However, you should not pull

over into any juncon or any lane where there may be more oncoming trac.

If you are on a busy road, and there is a danger that once pulled over you may not

be able to safely merge back onto the road, you should not pull over. Wait unl it

is safe and appropriate for you to do so.

If you nd yourself stuck behind a slow- moving agricultural vehicle, remember

that they are entled to use the road as well as you. Do not tail gate, distract or

exert undue pressure on the driver of the vehicle. Wait unl the driver has pulled

into a safe place to pass on the outside lane when it is safe to do so. Bear in mind

that it is beer to be a lile late than to take unnecessary risks on the road.

What measures can I take to prevent the or criminal damage to my vehicle?

It is good pracce to ensure that your vehicles are stored in a safe place when you

are not using them. You should always ensure that all doors and windows,

including the sun roof, are closed and locked and the ignion key removed.

You should also make a unique disnguishing mark on your vehicle which will allow

you to easily idenfy your vehicle, if it is stolen. Make a note of the chassis number

of your vehicles as well. If you wish, you can equip your machine with a tracker.

Speak to your local crime prevenon ocer for advice.

Frequently Asked Quesons

Safety

When I buy a piece of machinery, what are the suppliers responsibilies?

Manufacturers must make sure that the machines they make are safe. They do this

by: nding out about health and safety hazards (trapping, crushing, electrical

shock, dust, noise, vibraons etc.) likely to be present when the machine is used,

assessing the likely risks as a result of the hazards, designing out those hazards that

result in risk or if that is not possible, providing safeguards (guarding dangerous

parts of the machine, providing noise enclosure for noisy parts) or, if that is not

possible; using warning signs in the machine to warn of hazards that cannot be

designed out or safeguarded (e.g. “noisy machine” signs). Suppliers are also re-

sponsible for providing operang instrucons with the machinery and giving

informaon on any risks that cannot be fully controlled by the design and

safeguards provided.

What about buying second hand machinery?

It has to be safe for use. In some cases, it will not have a CE marking but the

supplier sll has to make sure it is safe and accompanied by instrucons for safe

use.

As a user, you have a duty to make sure that second- hand machinery is safe when

put into use, suitable for the selected work and maintained in a safe condion.

Can I carry passengers or pets in my vehicle?

When there is more than one seat ed by the manufacturer then the vehicle can

carry the number of persons each seated. It is important to remember it is illegal to

have a person in an Agricultural vehicle in use under 13 years old, even on private

land while carrying out an agricultural operaon. Where there is only a single seat

then any extra passengers may be subject to report under either, Arcle 115

Construcon and Use Regulaon, or Arcle 54 Road Trac Order 1995 where

danger is caused by the method in which the passenger is being carried. You must

ensure that carrying a passenger will not obstruct you in any way as you are

operang the machine. If your vehicle is designed to carry only one person you

must NOT carry a passenger.

Tyres:

You will need to conrm that your tyres are in reasonable condion for the type of

work you are planning to do, for example, cuts in excess of 25mm or bulges are

not acceptable. Specic performance standards specicaons are recorded for

each tyre and only these are approved. You should consult with your tyre

manufacturer or supplier if you are in any doubt.

Horn:

You should ensure that your vehicle is equipped with a horn that is funconing

properly.

Maintenance:

It is your responsibility under the law to ensure that your vehicle is properly

serviced and maintained to a safe and road- worthy condion. Although

agriculture machines are exempt from the legal tesng requirements which other

vehicles using the road are subject to, you are required under The Provision and

Use of Work Equipment Regulaons (Northern Ireland) 1999 to ensure that any

equipment – including vehicles that you work with, or which you provide for

others to work with, are maintained to a safe standard.

For further informaon, please refer to our chapter on ‘Operaonal and Road

Safety’ which begins at page 18.

Light Agricultural Vehicles

Physical Requirements

Lights:

In the daylight hours when visibility is good, you are not required to have lights

ed to your vehicle. However, you will be required to make hand signals to alert

road users to the fact that you are changing direcon or slowing down. If lights are

ed, they must be operaonal.

During the hours of daylight or in condions of poor visibility, you will be required

to t the following lights:

For vehicles of any age and capable of any speed:

 Front posion lamp

 Rear posion lamp

 Rear retro – reector

 Number plate lamp

For vehicles rst used aer 24

January 1996 and capable of more than 15mph, as

above and:

 Dipped- beam headlamps

 Front and rear direcon indicators

 Hazard lights

For vehicles rst used aer 24

January 1996 and capable of more than 25mph, as

above and:

 Main – beam headlamp

 Rear fog lamp

 Stop lamp

Transporng Waste

Waste from any premises used for agricultural purposes is covered by regulaons

and must be collected, stored and transported properly. If you chose to transport

your own waste, you must:

 Ensure that the vehicle used for transport is secure and t for purpose.

 Complete and sign transfer notes for the transportaon of waste.

 You should also check that the premises to which you transfer the waste is

registered for waste management.

 If you are in doubt you should contact NIEA.

If you are going to be transporng waste regularly, as most farmers will, you will

need to register as a lower- er waste carrier. You can do this on your Single

Applicaon Form (previously IACS).

If you are hiring someone else to carry your waste, you must make sure that this

person is a registered waste carrier. A carrier will be asked to produce proof of their

registraon to you, if this is not forthcoming, do not allow them to carry your waste.

CPC Licence

Following changes in legislaon, you will require a Cercate of Professional

Competence in driving if you want to drive a vehicle which weighs over 3500kg on

the public road (requiring a C1 or a C license) for commercial acvies.

There are exempons for those operang these vehicles as part of their job,

provided that driving is not a main part of that job.

For example, driving a vehicle heavier that 3500kg to transport fence posts in order

to make repairs will not require a CPC.

Driving a vehicle heavier that 3500kg in order to take livestock to market will require

a CPC as the purpose of this acvity is to sell the animals. This does not apply to

combinaons which have a combined weight exceeding 3500kg.

You will not need a CPC to take your livestock to market in a trailer towed by a

tractor or jeep as the vehicle is driven on a B or F license and does not weigh over

3500kg; however, if you wish to take them in a livestock lorry, you will need a CPC.

For vehicles capable of more than 40mph, as above and:

 Dim-dip device or running lamp

*For LAV’s with an unladen weight of less that 255kg direcon indicators are not

required. *

Horn and Speedometer:

If your vehicle is capable of speeds exceeding 20mph you are required to t a

funconing horn (not a reversing alarm or a two-tone horn) and speedometer.

Mirror:

As with all special concessionary vehicles, you are required to t at least one mirror

to the oside of the vehicle.

*You are NOT allowed to carry passengers on an agricultural quad if it is constructed

for only one person*

Noise and Emissions

The noise levels and emissions dier from vehicle to vehicle. However agricultural

motor vehicles with engine power of 65 Kw rst used prior to 31 October 1991,

cannot exceed 92DbB(A), smaller engines and ones rst used aer 31 October 1991

cannot exceed 89Db(A). You should consult with the manufacturers guidelines on

the ng of silencers in order to reduce noise emissions. If you are operang near a

residence during the hours of darkness, you should exercise due consideraon for

others.

You should also maintain your vehicle so as to reduce the emissions to a minimum.

If your vehicle is eming enough smoke or exhaust gases to create a risk to health

or property you should not drive it on a public road.

C (HGV Licence)

 Can be obtained at age 18 aer you gain your B License and have passed

your Driver’s CPC qualicaons or are learning to drive for this category

otherwise the minimum age is 21.

 You will be able to drive large vehicles which are heavier than 3500kg with a

trailer up to 750kg.

C+E

 As with C, but with trailers over 750kg

Driving below the age of 17

From the age of 13, you are allowed to drive a tractor on the farm – but not on the

road. However you must rst obtain a cercate of competence in tractor driving

before you can drive oroad, during an agricultural operaon. It should also be

noted that restricons apply regarding tractor size, PTO and loader usage prior to

turning 16 years old.

By law, children between 13 and 15 years old wishing to drive a tractor for

agricultural purposes on private land in Northern Ireland must successfully

complete a LANTRA Awards cered course. This is enforced by The Agriculture

(Safety of Children and Young Persons) Regulaon (Northern Ireland) 2006 and

Approved Code of Pracce (ACoP), both of which address risks to young people

from agricultural acvies. Tractors must be ed with an enclosed, approved

safety cab. The training provided allows them to drive tractors only, not other

agricultural vehicles.

For more details, contact LANTRA for the best advice on where you can access the

training course in your area. See contact details at the back of this booklet.

At age 16 you may obtain provisional category F. This allows you to drive

agricultural tractors up to 2.45 metres wide, including towing a trailer up to 2.45

metres wide. You are not allowed to drive in 30mph zones. Before passing a

category F test, you may only drive an agricultural tractor while engaged in the

course of agricultural operaons or while driving to or from a driving test.”

Licencing

*MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the

maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on a road. *

B Licence (Full Driver’s Licence)

 Can be obtained at age 17.

 Also contains provisional FKP categories

 You can drive: motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg and

designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers

in addion to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg; and motor vehicles with a

MAM not exceeding 3500kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of

no more than eight passengers in addion to the driver with a trailer over

750kg where the combinaon weight is not exceeding 3500kg and the MAM

of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.

 With the FKP entlement, you will be allowed to drive tractors.

B+E

 Can be obtained once you have your category B licence

 Same as above, but you will now be able to tow trailers where the

combinaon weight is greater than 3500kg. Your vehicle is not allowed to be

heavier than 3500kg.

 Can be obtained from age 18. You may need to pass the Cercate of

Professional Competence (CPC) theory and praccal tests.

 You can drive medium sized vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg either with

or without a trailer weighing no more than 750kg.

C1+ E

 You will be able to drive C1 vehicles towing a trailer with a MAM of more

than 750kgs, up to a combinaon of no more than 12000kgs. The trailer

MAM may not exceed the unladen weight of the tractor vehicle. You may

also need to pass CPC theory and praccal tests

 You must be at least 18

Trailers and towed appliances

An agricultural trailer is one which is used solely for the purposes of agriculture. In

order to qualify as an agricultural trailer, it must be towed by an agricultural vehicle.

There are dierent rules for private vehicles, including cars and jeeps which are also

used for towing trailers. These will be dealt with at the end of the chapter.

An agricultural appliance is any other implement which is towed behind an

agricultural vehicle so as to perform some funcon incidental to agriculture aside

from haulage.

An agricultural vehicle driven by someone 17+ may tow:

 Two unladen agriculture trailer

 One laden agricultural trailer

 One unladen agricultural trailer and one agricultural trailed appliance

 Two agricultural trailed appliances

Dimensions:

Length: maximum length of an agricultural trailer is normally 12m. In the case of a

“composite trailer” which is a semi – trailer and converter dolly combined, the

maximum length is 14.04m. For agricultural appliance, the maximum length is 15m.

The maximum combined length of a vehicle and one trailer is 18.75m.

The maximum combined length of a vehicle and two trailers is 25.9m. .

Width:

An agricultural trailer—maximum width—2.55m

An agricultural trailed appliance—maximum width—2.50m

Weight: The maximum laden weight of an agricultural trailer is 18290kg. The

maximum weight of the vehicle plus the trailer (laden) or towed appliances is

31497kg. See the next secon on brakes for further details as much will depend on

this.

You should always refer to your vehicle’s plated weight to ensure that it is capable

of towing the appliance you wish to transport.

Physical Requirements:

Brakes:

Braking requirements for trailers and towed appliances depend on its maximum

weight and the speed at which it is to be towed.

If your trailed appliance has a gross (combined with tractor) weight of less than

double the unladen (tractor on its own) weight, no brakes are required.

If your agricultural trailer has a laden weight of less than 750kg, no brakes are

required.

If your agricultural trailed appliance conveyor has an unladen weight of less than

510kg, no brakes are required.

The maximum laden weight permied for a trailer with no brakes is 14230kg.

However, trailers manufactured aer 1989 usually have brakes of some

descripon. You should consult your user’s manual to familiarise yourself with the

features of your trailer, and if they are ed, ensure that they are working.

If your trailer has a gross weight of over 750kg, you will need brakes with eciency

of at least 25% on at least half of the wheels as well as parking brake on at least

two wheels.

If your gross weight is lower than 3500kg and you will be exceeding 20mph o —

road, your brakes must be compliant with the ECE Regulaons 13 which state that

an-lock brakes must be installed.

*You must NOT exceed 25mph whilst driving an agricultural vehicle on a public

road*

Registraon:

It is not necessary for an agricultural trailer/towed appliance to match the number

plate of the agricultural vehicle which is towing it; it is enough that the two

number plates are registered to the same owner.

Rebated Fuel

Rebated fuel (red diesel) is permied for vehicles which are:

 Unlicensed (with a SORN declaraon) which are not used on public roads.

 Designed and constructed primarily for o-road use and are used on public

roads solely for agricultural, horcultural or forestry purposes. This includes

agricultural vehicles.

Agricultural contactors are subject to the same rules as farmers on the use of

rebated fuel. As long as the acvity they are involved in is agricultural they will be

permied to use red diesel on the road.

A vehicle using rebated fuel should only be driven between dierent areas of land

occupied by the same person.

Limited use vehicles (not Special Concessionary Vehicles) should not travel distances

further than 1.5km between these pieces of land - using rebated fuel.

HMRC ocers are permied to test any vehicle and the fuel in it. They are also

permied to follow you o- road and examine your vehicle there. However, they

are not permied to enter a private dwelling - house.

Cung hedges and verges

You are NOT allowed to cut hedges between 1

March and 31

August, and only

then if the hedge could create a risk to road users by impairing visibility on the road

or at juncons, crossroads, sight- lines , road signs or if it is obstrucng members of

the public. You should only trim the side of the hedge facing the road.

This parcular acvity will require you to be moving at slow speeds on the road for

prolonged periods of me. As with other acvies, road safety is paramount. To

that end you must:

 Not use a tractor which is wider than 2.55m

 Use a vehicle which is conspicuously coloured and which has: at least one

beacon and an arrow sign informing other road users which side they should

pass on.

 Display a “Road Works” sign no more than half a mile from where you are

cung. If your work is not visible due to hills or bends in the roads or if the

road is narrow, you should use a “single le trac” sign.

 When you are not actually engaged in the acvity of cung, all blades must

be eecvely guarded to avoid any danger to other road users

 Clean up any trimmings from footpaths or roads as these can puncture tyres

and cause injury to livestock.

 Do your best to ensure that anyone who comes upon you will understand

what is taking place and how they should be acng.

*Addional measures may be necessary if you are going to work on a high speed

dual carriage way. Make contact with your local DAERA oce for details*

Lighng:

It is strongly recommended that you equip all your trailers or towed appliances

with indicators, retro reectors and stop lights. If these are obstructed on your

vehicle by the trailer so that they are not visible to other road users, you must t

these on the trailer.

Otherwise requirements for lighng depend on the length of the trailer or

appliance:

Longer than 2.3m – side light, tail light reectors, indicators.

Longer than 5m – as above plus two side reectors every 3m.

Longer than 9m – as above plus side reectors every 3m.

If your vehicle’s beacon is obstructed by the trailer, you should take acon to

ensure it is visible, such as mounng it on a pole.

* A ‘Danger: No Signals’ sign is NOT a valid substute for indicators or stop lamps*

*under no circumstance should you tow any piece of machinery, other than

equipment that’s primary purpose is to be towed by an agricultural machine*

Towing with a non- agricultural vehicle

In agriculture, it is oen necessary to use Private Light Goods vehicles such as Land

Rovers or Jeeps to tow smaller trailers. Here the requirements are dierent, as

these are not agricultural vehicles.

You will need to ensure that your registraon matches the vehicle which is towing

it. From January 2013, the entlement to tow trailers with a category B vehicle was

restricted. In eect, these vehicles will be allowed to tow:

 Small trailers weighing no more than 750kg

 Trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the

towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3 500kg Maximum Authorised

Mass (MAM).

The weight you can tow will be dictated by the towing capacity of your vehicle. You

will sll only be able to drive vehicles up to 3500kg unladen weight.

You must check your vehicle handbook or specicaon sheet to ensure that your

vehicle is capable of towing the weight of trailer proposed.

The maximum trailer width for non- agricultural trailers is 2.55m. The maximum

length is 7 meters for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3500kg.

If you get a tow bar for your car, it needs to be ‘type approved.’ This means it meets

EU regulaons and is designed for your car.

A type – approved tow bar will have a label with an approval number and details of

the vehicles it’s approved for.

If your car was rst used before 1

August 1998, your tow bar doesn’t need to be

type approved.

You must have an adequate view of the road behind you. If whatever you are

towing is wider than the rear of the towing vehicle, you may need to t suitable

towing mirrors.

Any trailer weighing over 750kg, including its load, must have a working brake

system.

 Endeavour not to allow mud or other materials to become deposited on the

road as a result of your acvity. If your acvies do lead to mud or other

materials being on the road, you must make sure that you clean this up as

soon as possible as it can be a hazard for other road users. If you are

undertaking an acvity which will lead to prolonged and unavoidable mud

on the road, you should take reasonable steps to minimise the amount and

lessen the hazard it causes. If you intenonally or recklessly allow mud to

become a hazard, you could leave yourself liable to prosecuon.

 If you are carrying a load in a trailer, you need to make sure that it is secure

and does not pose a risk to other road users.

*Under absolutely no circumstances should you operate machinery while under the

inuence of alcohol or drugs. This includes prescripon drugs which you may be

taking. Check the label of your medicaon if you are unsure. If in doubt contact

your doctor or pharmacist*

*There are some medical condions which may mean you should stop driving for a

while. Consult your doctor at this point if you, or someone close to you ,has or may

have, a condion which could have an impact on your /their ability to operate

machinery safely and appropriately or contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6806*

*Under absolutely no circumstances should you use a hand held communicaon

device i.e. a mobile phone whilst operang machinery. This has been shown to be

just as detrimental to concentraon as the eects of alcohol or drugs*

Under no circumstances should you allow someone who is unauthorised,

unqualied or untrained; or children to operate your equipment.

When operang machinery, you should:

 Carry out a daily check to ensure that the equipment is safe and funconing

correctly.

 Ensure that passengers are only carried in properly constructed seats. You

should not carry children under the age of 13 in an agricultural vehicle.

 Maintain full control of the vehicle at all mes.

 Ensure that your vision is not obstructed.

 Not drive backwards unless manoeuvring.

 Drive with due care and consideraon for all road users. Be aware that your

slow-moving vehicles can cause queues of trac to build up behind you,

oen leading to frustraon which may lead to drivers taking risks. In order to

minimize this, you should pull over, where safe and appropriate to do so and

allow quicker vehicles to pass.

 If you can avoid it, do not travel in convoys. These make it dicult for other

drivers to pass. Leave a reasonable distance between each vehicle.

 Not drive on the hard shoulder unless directed to do so. If there is a queue

behind you, pull over and allow them to pass if it safe and appropriate.

 Be able to operate the brakes from the driving posion.

 Turn the engine o and remove the ignion key when the vehicle is parked.

 Park the vehicle in such a way that does not pose a danger or obstrucon to

other road users.

 Park during the hours of darkness or poor visibility with the near side wheel

close to the edge of the road, poinng towards oncoming trac and the

required lights illuminated.

 Ensure that the engine is stopped, the ignion key removed, the PTO is

switched o and the parking brake is applied before beginning any

adjustments.

 When coming onto or o the road, you need to give sucient warning that

may arise for other road users.

 In parcular, take all reasonable precauon to prevent accidents occurring

when manoeuvring in or out of concealed road entrances.

Projecons

In the case of an agricultural motor vehicle, the distance measured horizontally and

parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rear poron of the vehicle, between the

transverse planes passing through the rearmost point of the vehicle and through the

centre of the rear or the rearmost axle shall not exceed 3m.

The length of a projecon is measured from the furthermost point of the vehicle

and the furthermost point of the projecon.

Forward projecons:

1-2m - there is no legal requirement to mark these projecons. However, we would

encourage the following; the end of each projecon should be clearly visible to

other road users from a reasonable distance. During the hours of darkness or poor

visibility these ends should be illuminated by reectors.

2 – 3.05m – end and side of each projecon must be marked with approved end

(red) and side (amber) markers. These must be illuminated by marker lamps during

the hours of darkness. You will also require an aendant to ensure the safety of

other users.

Over 3.05m – as above plus two clear working days’ noce to the Police.

Over 4.5m – extra side markers must be ed so that there is a marker no more

than 2.5m from the end of the vehicle and between markers.

Rearward Projecons

1-2m – end of each projecon must be clearly visible to other road users from a

reasonable distance. During the hours of darkness or poor visibility these ends must

be illuminated by reectors.

2-3.05m – as above

Over 3.05m – as above

Over 5m – extra side markers must be ed so that there is no more than 3m from

the end of the vehicle and between markers.

* If your journey is more than ve miles OR if you will be going through a zone with a

speed limit of 40mph or less you must give the Police two clear working days’ noce

of your intenon to travel*

If you are going to be making frequent journeys with projecons, you may wish to

consider applying for dispensaon from the chief constable. These dispensaons

will vary in the length of me they are granted for and the condions imposed upon

you. If you apply for and receive dispensaon you must inform the police of any

change in your equipment. It will also be your responsibility to make sure that the

dispensaon is renewed when it comes to expire.

Operaonal and Road Safety

If you are an employer or self- employed person and you provide equipment,

including vehicles for use at work or have control of equipment, you are bound by

the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulaons (Northern Ireland) 1999

What do I need to do?

You will need to make sure the equipment is:

1. Suitable for the purpose for which you are intending to use it, and for the

condions in which you want to use it, you should check for the “CE” mark,

which informs you that your equipment complies with EU safety

requirements.

2. Maintained in a safe condion. Familiarise yourself with the safety measures

and potenal dangers of your equipment. Your supplier must ensure that the

correct safety measures are installed and inform you of any “residual risks”

which cannot be designed out.

3. If necessary, inspected so as to ensure the safety of equipment for work. If a

signicant risk is idened, the regulaons require that a formal inspecon

into the issue be carried out.

You must also ensure that anyone you employ to operate machinery is suitably

trained and competent to do so. This includes knowing:

 How the equipment should be used.

 What to do if a problem arises and where the possible risks are

 How to operate the equipment properly, eciently and safely.

 You must also ensure that the operator has read the manual before using

the machine and that the manual is made available to the operator of the

machine at all mes