Minister Ross ploughs ahead with agreed regulations on tractor testing

Following months of discussions the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D. has signed off on new regulations for the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles - including tractors. An EU Directive (2014/45/EU) required roadworthiness testing for certain tractors which can exceed 40 km/h - otherwise known as “fast tractors”.

At the invitation of Minister Ross, representative groups from the agriculture and forestry sectors met with his officials on a number of occasions to discuss their concerns about the manner in which the regulations impacted their members farms and businesses.

Taking all these concerns on board and following legal advice Minister Ross has now signed off on new legislation. The principal amendments are set out as follows and will come into effect on May 20th 2018. He would like to thank all stakeholders for their positive and constructive input in ensuring a satisfactory outcome.

the introduction of compulsory roadworthiness testing for tractors with a maximum design speed exceeding 40km/hr which are being used for non-agricultural activities. These vehicles will be required to be tested when four years old and every second year thereafter. They will be subject to the same test fees already applicable to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) based on their Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW)
the establishment of an exemption for commercial vehicles used exclusively on small islands
commercial vehicles between 30 and 40 years of age (that are used solely for non-commercial purposes) will be required to undergo compulsory roadworthiness testing every second year (biennially), instead of annually. Those vehicles registered prior to 1980 will be exempt from testing

Ends

Notes for Editors:

The above Regulations give effect to the transposition of the Periodic Roadworthiness Testing Directive 2014/45/EU which relates to the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT).

For technical reasons and to take into account the concerns noted above, the Minister revoked S.I. 413 of 2017 by means of S.I. 519 of 2017.

Minister Ross ploughs ahead with agreed regulations on tractor testing

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