On Wednesday, the Irish Farmers Journal exclusively revealed that the RSA is working on legislation to introduce mandatory road-worthiness testing of so-called "fast tractors" by May 2018.
Here is what is known about the draft legislation to date:
What tractors will it apply to?
Tractors capable of driving at more than 40km/h that are used for commercial road haulage aged four years or older.
Nearly all tractor manufacturers produce a T5 model tractor that is capable of travelling in excess of 40km/h – some examples being the JCB Fastrac, the Case IH PUMA 160 CVX.
What type of road haulage do you mean?
The RSA says testing will be required for tractors mainly used for hauling for hire or reward or on the owner’s “own account”.
“Agricultural contractors cutting silage and transport same from the field to a silage pit is not considered to be commercial road haulage,” an RSA spokesman told the Irish Farmers Journal.
When will my tractor have to be tested?
Tractors will have to be tested four years after first registration and every two years after that.
How many tractors in Ireland will it affect?
An estimated 8,000 tractors already on farms will require testing, as well as new tractors being sold now that will come into the testing net four years after first registration.
How much will it cost to get a tractor tested?
There is no figure for cost of testing available currently.
What will the testers be looking at?
Details of the test have yet to be confirmed but it will involve a visual test for lights, mirrors and windscreens, as well as a measured test for braking performance and emissions.
Where will tractors be tested?
It is proposed that tractors will be tested at existing CVRT test regime, where jeeps and other commercial vehicles are currently tested.
What will be the penalty if I don’t have a road worthiness certificate for my tractor?
Using a tractor for haulage without a valid certificate will result in five penalty points on your licence, a possible fine of up to €3,000 and prison sentence.
Is this already law?
The RSA is drawing up draft legislation to submit to the Department of Transport within weeks, which will be enacted by Minister Shane Ross.
When is it coming into force?
Legislation will come into effect from 20 May 2018.
Farmers react furiously to plans for NCT for tractors
Gardai seize three-wheeled tractor in Tipperary
Driverless tractors: are they the future?
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: