What tractors will have to be tested?
Tractors capable of driving at speeds exceeding 40km/h and which are used for commercial road haulage on public roads, involving journeys of over 25km from their base.
How do I know if my tractor goes over 40km/h?
A tractor sold new in Ireland comes with a Certificate of Conformity and this states the maximum design speed of that tractor. The owners of some older tractors already on farm or other tractors that were imported secondhand may not have this certificate and owners may have to consult their local tractor dealer.
What is commercial road haulage?
According to the RSA it is carriage of goods for hire or reward and carriage of goods by a person in the course of his/her trade or business for the purpose of delivery to a customer. It can be carried out by a farmer, contractor or haulier. Thus commercial haulage is not land based but instead uses the public road in delivery services.
Crucially for farmers, the RSA has said that it includes collection and delivery of bales of hay, straw and silage, etc.
Any tractor used for hauling plant will require road testing, if it meets the general criteria.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Examples include a farmer driving a fast tractor between land holdings to carry out agricultural work or a contractor providing services to farmers, forestry or horticultural undertakings where haulage is not the main part of the service. Transporting grass back to the yard when silage is being made or crops at harvest time, even if a fast tractor is being used, is also exempt. That is because the transport involved is secondary to the harvesting operation.
What does the 25km journey distance mean?
If the commercial haulage by fast tractor involves travel outside a 25km circle around the owner’s residence or business yard, then the tractor can be liable for a road test. The RSA says the distance was decided on in the absence of clarity in the EU directive which requires road testing.
Where will tractors be tested?
Testing is to take place at CVRT centres. Many farmers already used these centres for road testing of farm 4x4s. However, tractors will be tested at CVRT centres that are approved to test heavy commercial vehicles, eg buses and lorries. This means that for some farmers or contractors the nearest test centre could be some distance away.
When will my tractor have to be tested?
Fast tractors used for commercial haulage will require a test from 20 May 2018. The first test for any vehicle will be due when it reaches four years of age – that is the fourth anniversary of first registration.
After that, further tests will be required every two years.
What if my tractor is already four years old and is used for commercial haulage?
Such a tractor must be tested when CVRT centres begin offering testing. A three-month grace period is provided for in the regulations, ie the test must be carried out by 20 August 2018. On completing the test, the resulting Certificate of Roadworthiness will be valid for two years from the date of test.
However, if the test is delayed beyond 20 August, despite the tractor already being four years old, the certificate will be valid for two years from 20 May 2018 and therefore will expire on 20 May 2020. This, the RSA states, means there is no advantage in delaying testing.
Is it necessary to test a tractor used by a farmer or contractor only for agricultural, horticultural or forestry purposes?
No.
I rarely or occasionally use my fast tractor for commercial haulage – must it be tested?
Yes. It will be an offence to use a fast tractor for commercial haulage on journeys outside a 25km radius from base without a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness.
What are the penalties for having no Certificate of Roadworthiness?
They can include five penalty points and may include a mandatory court appearance with a possible fine of up to €5,000 and possible imprisonment for up to three months.
How much will the test cost?
For fast tractors with a Design Gross Vehicle Weight of 3.5t to 7.5t the cost will be €146.52 plus VAT and the cost of a retest is €47.26 plus VAT.
For fast tractors weighing over 7.5t the cost is €171.16 plus VAT and retest is €59.08.
What will the test involve?
The RSA is preparing a test manual specifically for fast tractors. It says
that the manual will essentially
mirror that for heavy commercial vehicles. Therefore the test is likely to examine:
Identification of the vehicle ie number plates, manufacturer’s plate, etc. Braking equipment.Steering.Visibility from cab, eg windows, wipers. Lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment.Direction indicators and hazard warning lights.Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension.Chassis, cab, bodyworkSafety restraints, locks, horn, speedometer, etc. Emissions, noise.
What tractors will have to be tested?
Tractors capable of driving at speeds exceeding 40km/h and which are used for commercial road haulage on public roads, involving journeys of over 25km from their base.
How do I know if my tractor goes over 40km/h?
A tractor sold new in Ireland comes with a Certificate of Conformity and this states the maximum design speed of that tractor. The owners of some older tractors already on farm or other tractors that were imported secondhand may not have this certificate and owners may have to consult their local tractor dealer.
What is commercial road haulage?
According to the RSA it is carriage of goods for hire or reward and carriage of goods by a person in the course of his/her trade or business for the purpose of delivery to a customer. It can be carried out by a farmer, contractor or haulier. Thus commercial haulage is not land based but instead uses the public road in delivery services.
Crucially for farmers, the RSA has said that it includes collection and delivery of bales of hay, straw and silage, etc.
Any tractor used for hauling plant will require road testing, if it meets the general criteria.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Examples include a farmer driving a fast tractor between land holdings to carry out agricultural work or a contractor providing services to farmers, forestry or horticultural undertakings where haulage is not the main part of the service. Transporting grass back to the yard when silage is being made or crops at harvest time, even if a fast tractor is being used, is also exempt. That is because the transport involved is secondary to the harvesting operation.
What does the 25km journey distance mean?
If the commercial haulage by fast tractor involves travel outside a 25km circle around the owner’s residence or business yard, then the tractor can be liable for a road test. The RSA says the distance was decided on in the absence of clarity in the EU directive which requires road testing.
Where will tractors be tested?
Testing is to take place at CVRT centres. Many farmers already used these centres for road testing of farm 4x4s. However, tractors will be tested at CVRT centres that are approved to test heavy commercial vehicles, eg buses and lorries. This means that for some farmers or contractors the nearest test centre could be some distance away.
When will my tractor have to be tested?
Fast tractors used for commercial haulage will require a test from 20 May 2018. The first test for any vehicle will be due when it reaches four years of age – that is the fourth anniversary of first registration.
After that, further tests will be required every two years.
What if my tractor is already four years old and is used for commercial haulage?
Such a tractor must be tested when CVRT centres begin offering testing. A three-month grace period is provided for in the regulations, ie the test must be carried out by 20 August 2018. On completing the test, the resulting Certificate of Roadworthiness will be valid for two years from the date of test.
However, if the test is delayed beyond 20 August, despite the tractor already being four years old, the certificate will be valid for two years from 20 May 2018 and therefore will expire on 20 May 2020. This, the RSA states, means there is no advantage in delaying testing.
Is it necessary to test a tractor used by a farmer or contractor only for agricultural, horticultural or forestry purposes?
No.
I rarely or occasionally use my fast tractor for commercial haulage – must it be tested?
Yes. It will be an offence to use a fast tractor for commercial haulage on journeys outside a 25km radius from base without a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness.
What are the penalties for having no Certificate of Roadworthiness?
They can include five penalty points and may include a mandatory court appearance with a possible fine of up to €5,000 and possible imprisonment for up to three months.
How much will the test cost?
For fast tractors with a Design Gross Vehicle Weight of 3.5t to 7.5t the cost will be €146.52 plus VAT and the cost of a retest is €47.26 plus VAT.
For fast tractors weighing over 7.5t the cost is €171.16 plus VAT and retest is €59.08.
What will the test involve?
The RSA is preparing a test manual specifically for fast tractors. It says
that the manual will essentially
mirror that for heavy commercial vehicles. Therefore the test is likely to examine:
Identification of the vehicle ie number plates, manufacturer’s plate, etc. Braking equipment.Steering.Visibility from cab, eg windows, wipers. Lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment.Direction indicators and hazard warning lights.Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension.Chassis, cab, bodyworkSafety restraints, locks, horn, speedometer, etc. Emissions, noise. 
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