Transport minister Claire Perry announced today (10 Feb) that the changes, first revealed following a consultation last year, will take effect from 9 March.

This will allow an agricultural tractor towing an agricultural trailer to travel at a higher combination weight limit of 31 tonnes, increasing from 24.39 tonnes. The existing trailer limit of 18.29 tonnes remains in place.

Perry said: “This change will allow farmers to more appropriately size their combinations as the current outdated weight limit incentivises farmers to use smaller tractors to tow larger trailers. This change could also increase the amount of produce that some farmers can carry in a journey resulting in fewer journeys and thus fewer risks of incidents.”

In addition, those tractors and trailers currently restricted under Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) to travelling at 20mph, will be able to travel at 40 km/h (approximately 25mph).

The government said the changes – which reflect advancements in modern vehicle technology - will help UK farmers compete fairly with international counterparts, while generating around £57m a year in deregulatory savings for the industry.

Perry added that the government is also in the process of considering further speed and weight increases for the future.

It is also looking into the introduction of a roadworthiness test for agricultural vehicles, which is something the haulage sector called for in the initial consultation alongside other enforcement measures to ensure farmers did not gain an unfair advantage over agricultural hauliers. At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Whilst any other business to have any vehicle above 3.5 ton, need a CPC Holder, Operators Licence, Drivers CPC, Drivers Hours Regulations..............................................................

And no doubt driven by the farmer's 16 year old son who thinks he's driving a go-kart at the best of times, whilst playing the " who can leave the most mud on the road " competition !!!

Actually have nothing against farmers as such - just when their young offspring decide to to a Top Gear and see how fast they can go with a trailer load of dung ! Freelander 2
MY 2011
SD4 XS

A few years ago we were staying on a relatives' farm and my son who was an agriculture student but a learner driver had to take one of the big tractors somewhere on the road. He got his elder sister (who had passed her driving test) to sit in the cab with him, this was evidently legal despite the fact that she didn't have a clue how to drive the thing (or probably even start it up).