Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the size and power of modern agricultural machinery on the appropriateness of the minimum age and weight thresholds for driving agricultural vehicles on public roads; and whether she plans to review those thresholds and their effect on employment and apprenticeship opportunities for young people in rural areas.

The size of agricultural vehicles in the UK is limited by a 2016 amendment to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. This allows for a maximum laden weight of 31 tonnes. This weight is the total laden weight for a tractor and trailer, with the weight of a loaded trailer limited to 18.29 tonnes. Standard vehicles may operate at a width of 2.5 metres and up to 40 miles per hour, while some more specialised wider vehicles must operate at slower speeds and must notify the local police force before undertaking any journey.

A person can hold a category F (agricultural tractors) licence from age 16 but is restricted to tractors and trailers up to 2.45 metres wide, with trailers limited to two wheels or four close-coupled wheels. These restrictions cease to apply from age 17, subject to the driver holding the appropriate entitlement.

There are currently no plans to review weight limits for agricultural vehicles or the minimum age requirements for driving agricultural vehicles on public roads. The government recognises that modern agricultural machinery has increased in size and complexity but feels the current regulatory framework limits the amount of damage done to British roads and supports road safety while also providing benefits to the UK economy. DVSA is considering whether the practical testing arrangements for driving tractors and other specialist vehicles remain appropriate.