what documents do tractors/farm machinery need to use public roads?

snaps · 29-03-2012 04:21PM #1

After nearly ploughing into a tractor pulling a slurry tank this morning at 6.45am this morning between Ballinrobe and claremorris, just wondering what rules/documents/tests do farm machinery need to use the public roads? Do they have to be insured/taxed/DOE or NCT tested? What are the rules in them having lights/reg numbers etc? This contraption had no lights/reg numbers and it was barely light at this time. Are tractors insured?

Pique · 29-03-2012 04:26PM

Please tell me you're joking!

Of course they need to be taxed and insured.

They also need the same lighting as any other vehicles.

Of course there are heaps out there without tax and insurance and working lights, just like cars.
And considering the numbers of cars who feel one working 5w sidelight is sufficient frontal lighting at 10pm in the rain, I wouldn't worry too much about Garda enforcement on the relatively few old tractors without lights.
In fact most tractors I see on the roads are far better machines than a lot of cars.

It's the licensing of 16 year olds through a law from a bygone era driving them which is a bigger concern.
20 tonnes at 30mph with field tyres doesn't stop as quick as they might think!

snaps · 29-03-2012 04:29PM

Are they annually/Bi annually tested like an NCT/DOE?

Pique · 29-03-2012 04:32PM

snaps wrote: »

Are they annually/Bi annually tested like an NCT/DOE?

Not as far as I know.

sean1141 · 29-03-2012 06:11PM

Pique wrote: »

20 tonnes at 30mph with field tyres doesn't stop as quick as they might think!

with trailor brakes they will stop in as short of distance as most cars doing the same speed

snaps wrote: »

Are they annually/Bi annually tested like an NCT/DOE?

no

what documents do tractors/farm machinery need to use public roads?

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