Unimog - Driving Licence

[Essex arborist]

I have a young driver aged 18, passed his manual driving test March 2010. His driving licence states he's able to drive Category F Agricultural Tractors so does this mean he can legally drive a unimog on the public highway or are unimogs classed as something else? If so, what category would they be in?

 

My insurance company have provided a quoatation to cover any driver for the vehicle including pto chipper so I assume he's ok if they'll insure him then must be legal?

[Adam]

from what i understand, if its an agricultural spec unimog its called as a tractor so can be driven on a normal licence, but if its not an ag spec mog you need a hgv licence to drive one. bit of a grey area though.

[Daniël Bos]

Easiest is to check the tax disc I think, if it says "agricultural ........" and tax is £0.00 then it's a tractor and he'll be ok.

[timtree81]

if it has a chipper on it or a crane ,or a lift ,its a piece of plant

[Daniël Bos]

if it has a chipper on it or a crane ,or a lift ,its a piece of plant

 

Yes, but though that affects it's mot and tax status it does not mean anyone can drive it I thought. Just Imagine the carnage possible with a 26T bucket truck and a 17yo :lol:

[Moonie]

Could you even get him insured? I'm 19 and can't even get a decent quote on a Transit!

[nick channer]

lad who worked for me drove mine soon as he passed his car test at 17. another who had his tractor license at 16 also drove it and had very minor scrape in it and insurance delt with it with no problems

[timtree81]

Yes, but though that affects it's mot and tax status it does not mean anyone can drive it I thought. Just Imagine the carnage possible with a 26T bucket truck and a 17yo :lol:

 

plant can be insured /taxed ,i see dumpers on the road a fair bit as long as there going from one site to another ,17 year old lads and big kit on the road dont mix imo

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Dependent how it is registered he may be able to legally drive it, i.e. as an agricultural vehicle (AKA tractor) BUT it is a piece of work equipment and he would require 'adequate training' prior to using it.

 

Someone 'competent', i.e. expereinced and knowledgeable (and ideally qualified), to train him and supervise him for a period of time until satisfied he's okay to let out alone.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[b101uk]

If it’s a agri tractor (on the logbook) and because it legality exceeds 20mph (like Fastrac) it would be category “F” BUT you would have to be >17 with a category “B” pass due to the restrictions in place for with category “F” if you have NO category “B“, there is also a school of thought that says 18 or 21 because of the speed element because they are referred to as class 2 tractor (high speed).

 

If its down as an agricultural machine that is NOT an agricultural tractor on the logbook then if its <3500kg it is 17 with a category “B”, if its <7500kg its 18 with a category “B” and if its >7500kg it is 21 with a category “B” (also hence the school of thought above)

 

FYI: what it says on the tax disk “agri machine” is the main class that ALL agricultural machinery vehicles are taxed under, the logbook gives the sub-class like “agri tractor” or other which is what counts with respect to driver licensing.

 

Also bear in mind you also have a duty of care to employees not to let them drive things they have insufficient training or capability to operate this included knowing the laws of the road in respect to vehicles of specific weights, widths, lengths, projections etc.

 

Also if it ever gets stopped and VOSA view its USE as NOT being agricultural, horticultural or forestry task then the driver WILL require a category “C1” (<7500kg) or “C” (>7500kg) in order for them to avoid prosecution for not having the correct driving licence category, a category “+E” for “C1 or C” would then be required for trailers which them selves could move a vehicle out of “C1” into “C+E”, there for what the driver says when stopped can mean the difference between VOSA letting you on your way and VOSA dragging both the driver and yourself as the vehicle owner threw court.