2. Tractors driven by 13-18 Year Olds – Legislation has been in place since 31st October 2006, requiring anyone between the ages of 13-18 to have a LANTRA certified driving assessment attendance award. Only then will such a driver be allowed to drive tractors in Northern Ireland. If you are under 18 years old and driving a tractor without the LANTRA certificate in tractor driving you are currently breaking the law. There are three courses currently being offered;
o Safe Tractor Driving for 13-15 year olds - During the course, applicants will be instructed on personal safety, general safety including pre-start checks and instrument control, hitching/unhitching implement and maneuvering with trailed and mounted implements. The course lasts 4 days and runs during the summer school holidays (July and August). Subject to availability the course will be available during other school holidays and Saturdays.
o PTO Training - This course is open to 16 year old trainees who already possess the 13-15 year olds tractor driving certificate. Subject areas covered includes; attaching a PTO shaft between the tractor and implement, checking the correct length of the PTO shaft, attaching the PTO shaft guards correctly and assessing the minimum turning circle of the machine. The course lasts for 1 day.
o Safe Tractor Driving for 16 year old + - This course is for farmers, growers and trainees over 16 years of age. It lasts for 2-4 days depending on experience. It encompasses the detail covered in the other two courses.
All three courses are held at Enniskillen, Greenmount and Loughry in July and August. Enniskillen and Greenmount host those courses held during the rest of the year, i.e other school holidays and Saturday (subject to staffing levels).
It should be noted that all the Summer courses are currently over-subscribed at all three campuses, but in relation to future courses over the next year, interested parties should contact the Short Course Administration Team on 028 9442 6704 or email charlene.graffin@dardni.gov.uk
3. 16 year olds driving vehicles on the road – As a Provisional Category F License holder, a 16 year old is not permitted to drive a tractor on the public road expect when:
o Going to, taking or returning from a driving test
o When engaged in the course of agriculture, horticulture or forestry operations on any road which is not restricted to a maximum speed of 30mph or less.
As a full category F License holder, a 16 year old may drive a tractor on the public road provided that:
o The tractor is either registered as an agricultural machine in either the limited use class or concessionary class.
o The tractor is driven without a trailer attached to it, except a trailer which has an overall width not exceeding 2.45 metres and is either a two wheeled or close coupled four wheeled trailer.
4. Driver licensing requirements for pulling a trailer – Since January 1st 1997 anyone passing a driving test must take a separate category B+E driving test if they tow in excess of 750Kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass). Basically this encompasses virtually every trailer on a farm, as well as caravans, horseboxes, boats and many other trailers. This does not affect those who have passed their tests before 1 January 1997.
During the test, applicants will be expected to be proficient at off road manoeuvres such as reverse exercises, uncoupling, re-coupling and controlled stops. As far as on the road driving is concerned, drivers will be tested on being able to move off from the side of the road safely, pulling in and stopping at a safe and convenient place, completing an angle start and completing a downhill start.
It should be noted that applicants must hold a full licence category B.
Members should be aware that the popular "A guide to the use of farm vehicles on the road" booklet, originally published by the UFU in April 2006 will be re-launched at the end of the year, but copies may still be available from your local UFU Group Office.