Agricultural tractors will not be required to undertake road worthiness testing as the government considers their road use limited, compared to other vehicles.
Road worthiness testing has been made mandatory for fast tractors used for commercial haulage and those used further than 15 miles from their base and capable of more than 40km/h (approx. 25mph). These tractors should be tested after four years and every two years thereafter.
Tractors classified as ‘agricultural machines’ for tax purposes will be exempt from testing.
Jill Hewitt, a technical consultant for the National Association of Agricultural Contractor’s (NAAC) said: "Agricultural tractors spend the majority of their time off road and the NAAC supports the decision not to introduce mandatory road worthiness testing. However, it is important that contractors and farmers use the vehicles ‘solely’ for agricultural use and do not step into commercial haulage, without abiding by necessary transport regulations.’
"It is also vital, to protect the safety of road users, that all tractors are safe on the roads and the industry must continue to be rigorous in daily maintenance checks and regular servicing."
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