New penalties targeting vehicles driven by unaccompanied learner drivers will not apply to tractor learner drivers, the Irish Farmers Journal has been told.

“Learner tractor drivers, ie, learners for a category W licence, are not required by law to have a qualified accompanying driver," a spokesperson for the Department of Transport said.

“As a result, the new law on unaccompanied learner drivers will not impact on tractor learners.”

However, he pointed out that learner tractor drivers are prohibited from carrying a passenger in or on the vehicle, unless the vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry a passenger and that passenger is a qualified driver with a minimum of two years’ experience.

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