Tractor license?

D0nal wrote: »

I'm 16 next month. I live on a farm. What do I need to do to get license to drive a tractor on the road? How soon can I get it? I want to do the bare minimum and don't want anything fancy just the most basic license possible.

It's identical to the car test but I think I read somewhere that the tester may actually come out to you may-be that is if you live so many miles from a test centre only I'm not sure.. Not many people do it they usually wait a year and do the car test. If you just do a "W" test you'll have to go through it all again next year for a car If you wait a year and do the car "B" test that will cover you for "W" also

donegalfella wrote: »

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That's an interesting loophole you found I can just see all the boy racers now on their suped up Massey 35X's to begin with :pac::pac::pac::pac:

The OP would be better off as you say to just use the LP until he's 17 then go for a "B" test, Will the theory test cover him for his "B" LP after a year I know it has a 2 year shelf-life but does that count if he has got the "W" LP with it???

donegalfella wrote: »

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I don't think so!!

At 17, he/she may apply for a 1st Learner Permit in category B and would still be obliged to wait for 6 months before sitting a B test.

Since it's illegal for a Learner Driver to carry a passenger, and therefore is not legally required to be accompanied, the OP could simply utilise the Learner Permit until he/she takes a B test. (I know I shouldn't really be saying that!)

Also, the normal prohibition from towing a trailer on a Learner Permit doesn't apply to category W so the OP would be free to work with trailers/trailed machinery etc.

Sunjammer wrote: »

if the tractor is fitted with a passenger seat he must be accompanied by someone with a full "W" license not sure if the accompanying passenger must hold the "W" license for 2 years though.. I'd say most modern tractors are fitted with a passenger seat so best to stick with the aforementioned 35X :pac::pac::pac:

NO - you are reading it back to front!

A passenger may only be carried on a tractor if the tractor is equipped with a passenger seat and the driver and passenger have a full category W licence.

However, a Learner is prohibited from carrying any passengers regardless of licences or seats.

That therefore means that, by default, no person under 16 years of age may legally travel on a tractor. That law isn't really enforced though and, if it were, I'd imagine that much of the work in family farms around the country would grind to a halt!

D0nal wrote: »

So would I be correct in saying that if I apply for a category w learner permit I will be covered to drive a tractor on a public road legally when I am 16?

Yes (assuming it's taxed, roadworthy and you are insured to drive it).

DOnal wrote:

And that I only have to complete the theory test to receive one?

Yes (i.e. - you'd have to pass it.)

DOnal wrote:

if I do the theory test for this license will it count toward my future car driving license?

Yes.

At 16, you can also apply for a Learner Permit for a moped (less that 50cc) or a motorcycle with a power output of less than 25KW.