ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and UTVs (utility vehicles) have become increasingly popular over the past decade with farmers from all over the country. ATVs and UTVs fall into the classification of L-category vehicles. The L-category is a class which covers a broad range of vehicle types with two, three or four wheels. This includes mopeds, motorcycles and quads. L-category vehicles require a certificate of conformity for the Republic of Ireland in order to be registered for use on Irish roads. This is a European system of approval which ensures a vehicle passes a number of tests before it is allowed to be operated on a public road.When it comes to operating ATVs (quads) on public roads, many do not comply with the vehicle standards as they may have been designed by the manufacturer for off-road use. This means these vehicles are strictly limited to off-road use only. According to the An Garda Síochána website, if an ATV is to be operated on a public road it must meet the following vehicle standards:
ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and UTVs (utility vehicles) have become increasingly popular over the past decade with farmers from all over the country. ATVs and UTVs fall into the classification of L-category vehicles. The L-category is a class which covers a broad range of vehicle types with two, three or four wheels. This includes mopeds, motorcycles and quads. L-category vehicles require a certificate of conformity for the Republic of Ireland in order to be registered for use on Irish roads. This is a European system of approval which ensures a vehicle passes a number of tests before it is allowed to be operated on a public road.
When it comes to operating ATVs (quads) on public roads, many do not comply with the vehicle standards as they may have been designed by the manufacturer for off-road use. This means these vehicles are strictly limited to off-road use only. According to the An Garda Síochána website, if an ATV is to be operated on a public road it must meet the following vehicle standards:
1 The vehicle must be registered with a displayed number plate.
2 Insurance – both the user and owner require a valid certificate of insurance. Where an uninsured rider, who is not the owner, is using one of these vehicles, then the owner is also committing an offence by allowing the rider to use the vehicle without insurance.
3 Motor tax certificate.
4 Headlights, rear lights and indicators.
5 Reflectors.
If the ATV is used in a public area the operator must:
1 Be at least 16 years old.
2 Have an A1 category driving licence.
3 Wear a helmet.
4 If the holder of a learner permit (formerly known as a provisional licence), the rider must display L-plates on a yellow fluorescent high visibility bib or sleeveless outer garment with open side-seams.
5 Obey the rules of the road.
6 Comply with the road traffic acts.
It is illegal to use these vehicles in a public area if any of the above requirements are not met. These vehicle standards are required by law and anyone found to have violated these standards are liable to penalties enforced by An Garda Síochána.
From 1 January 2015 to 31 October 2016, there was a total of 142 incidents with ATVs as reported by An Garda Síochána. These included 12 for dangerous driving, 64 for having no insurance or breaking general byelaws, two for no tax or registration, 14 involving traffic collisions. Some 50 vehicles were impounded.
Spot the difference: Roadworthy v off-road ATV
Noel Lambert from Lambert ATV sales in Ballintubber, Co Roscommon, gave the Irish Farmers Journal a comparison between a road legal Yamaha Grizzly 450 model and the equivalent ATV in an off-road form. He said: “The Yamaha Grizzly 450 model is currently the only road-legal ATV that can be bought new in Ireland. They come road legal and fully kitted out directly from the factory. The road tax on these ATVs is €102 per annum”.
The blue ATV above is for off-road use only, while the green ATV is certified for road use. Noel outlines the differences between the two quads: “the first thing you will notice is the road lighting kit on the road legal model, which is different to the off-road model. There is an allocated place for a number plate at the back of the road-legal model which is not on the other ATV. The layout of the controls is slightly different on the road legal ATV because it has the indicator and hazard warning light switches.”
On the picture of the rear of the ATVs, Noel said: “There is a speed restrictor on the road legal model which is not present on the off-road model. The road legal model comes with mirrors which again are absent on the off-road model. The indicators are again visible on the green certified ATV. The overall look of the ATVs are very similar.
“The big difference is the road-legal ATV comes with the certification allowing it to be number plated and registered.
“This is the only size, make and model of ATV in Ireland which can be registered as road legal.”
Noel informed us that: “ATV sales are going well. We carry these road legal certified ATVs in stock and we have sold a good number of them both to farmers and into the commercial sector.”
Above we see a fully kitted out, road-certified ATV with a number plate which was recently sold by Noel.
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Focus: ATVs and UTVs
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