These new tighter regulations were brought in following a comprehensive review undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on the original 1963 Road Traffic Act.

Here is a summary of the new rules:

  • Braking: more powerful braking systems are required for agricultural vehicles operating at speeds in excess of 40km/h. Most of the correctly maintained tractors, which have come into use in the past 30 years, already meet these requirements.
  • Lighting and visibility: agricultural vehicles must be equipped with appropriate lighting systems, flashing amber beacons and reflective markings.
  • Weights, dimensions and coupling: new national weight limits have been introduced. These enable tractor and trailer combinations that are unplated to remain in use at limits which are safe for such vehicles.
  • Plated tractors and trailer combinations are now able to operate at higher weight limits of up to 24 and 34 tonnes for tandem and tri-axle agricultural trailers respectively, provided they meet certain additional requirements.
  • Exemptions from compliance with the revised national weight limits are provided for certain types of interchangeable towed equipment such as slurry tankers, manure or fertiliser spreaders and grain chaser bins.
  • Plating and speed rating: trailers operating at weights exceeding 19 tonnes or at speeds exceeding 40km/h now require both an authorisation and a speed disc.

    • Penalties

    Breach of the new regulations may result in a direct summons to court. Courts may impose a class C fine (up to €2,500), a prison sentence, or both.

    Read more:

    New tractor regulations for 2016

    More details on regulations

    Questions and Answers

    A full revised standards booklet is available from the Road Safety Authority.