Tractor test
- Thread starter curriej
- Start date
Loftyrules
Member
- Location
- Monmouth
No you need to learn all of it so you understand how to drive safely
they will ask you questions from the highway code all of it
BAC
Member
Every single bit of it, without a theory test you should read cover to cover
- Location
- Pembrokeshire
My son did his not to long go, had to identify about six signs. Was asked a couple of relevant questions about cleaning wheels and lights when leaving fields and testing brakes after driving through water. Plenty of looking all around and checking mirrors. All straightforward. Best of luck!
From another forum:
Step 1: The first step is to apply for your provisional license (link below) this licence will stay with you until you have passed your car test at the age of 17 and above but the paperwork will be destroyed by the examiner at the examination centre upon passing your tractor test but you won’t have to reapply to learn how to drive your car.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG_10032690
Step 2:Choose your tractor to complete the test, best advice for this is something basic such as a Nh ts115, JD 6410 or something of a similar size. The tractor must be under 2.45 metres wide (Seb note: so don't pitch up in a Fendt 939), and in a ROADWORTHY condition as stated by the highway code (link Below). Points may include
http://www.learnerdriving.com/learn-to-drive/highway-code/?gclid=CJibuJvo96oCFQULfAodqx6GLQ
.Decent tread on tyres
.All lights such as indicators, brake lights, headlights and sidelights must be working although they may not all be checked upon your arrival to the test.
. The Mirrors must be fitted sturdy on both sides....
.Must be respectably clean windows and bodywork.
More can be found when you read the highway code, this is an advised read before arriving to your test along with a road signs guidebook. You cannot fail your test on not knowing your road test but it is counted as a minor error which if enough errors add up you COULD fail.
Step3: Now from exactly a month before your Birthday you must apply for a category F test the form for this can be picked up from your local large scale post office or online but post office is a lot easier. Now the date you apply for test and the place is more than likely to be rejected and you could be waiting up to 5 months for the day of your tractor test so don’t expect it to be instantaneous.
Step4: You’ve read the books, the highway code and the tractor is set kitted out with L plates visibly on the back and preferably front. It’s now time for your test to take place. These are some things that you need to watch out for when taking the test to make sure that you successfully pass your test.
. When pulling off turn your head right round over your shoulder and check out the back window, check your blind spots down the side of the tractor inline with the back wheels and forward of the doors, check both of your mirrors the side at which your turning FIRST.
. Make sure your indicators are on in the correct direction for which your turning and that once you have made the move you cancel the indicator if it isn’t automatic.
. During the test if there is an impatient driver behind you DO NOT wave him through because if something happens it will be your fault no discussion and you will fail your test instantly more times than not.
.Keep looking in your mirrors from time to time when driving along.
.Remember there is no rush don’t go flat out just 15mph will do as they want to see you are in control of the vehicle not if you can “drive er like yer stole er” i could only get up to 13mph in my test due to parked cars and traffic ever 5 yards.
. When reversing round the corner try to be within 1 metre of the kurb and look at the bonnet regularly when swinging round.
Step 5: when you’ve passed you now need to consider what it is legal to tow on the road, these are the official laws from VOSA on towing trailers, implements etc.....I know some of us
don’t stick to these imparticularly the speeds but thats just us.....
. The maximum speed for an agricultural vehicle on the road is 20mph unless it is fitted with mechanical steering, air brakes and twin axles suspension, the only tractor that has all of these is the Jcb Fastrac series not even the fendt has this, no-one listens to this law and it isn’t really enforced but just be wary as nearly all tractors go easily over 20mph without your noticing.
.The maximum road train weight for any agricultural vehicle that you are licensed for is 24tonnes this basicly means that if you have a 10tonne silage trailer on your tractor is gunna weigh about 7-8 tonnes then the trailer itself is about 3 or 4 sometimes meaning your very near your limit, 14 tonne trailer is also pushing it fully loaded. But hey ho...
.The trailer you are towing should have a minimum of hydraulic brakes when it weighs more than the tractor so most trailers these days, respectable tread on the tyres minimum of 2mm I think someone correct me if im wrong, number plate that MUST MATCH THE TRACTOR IT IS ATTACHED TO NOT JUST A TRACTOR IN THE FLEET. Working lights such as indicators and brake light.
. You are also restricted to 2.45 metres wide so most trailers these days ay just fit in or be bigger have a measure up before leaving......
.The trailer you are towing must be either close coupled axles such as a silage trailer, or a single axle trailer NO DOLLIES(front bogies).
. Even if you have passed your tractor test a loadall telehandler or forklift is not accepted unger the terms of the category F license 17 years of age or over for Loadalls. 21 years of age or over for large scale heavy plant equipment such as rubber duck diggers.
.If taking your test with a vintage tractor (I.e MF65) The machine must be fitted with the lighting/signaling equipment it was originally supplied with to be roadworthy. (bear in mind that without the minimum of headlights/sidelights you will be turned away from the test if adverse road conditions are in effect (I.e Heavy Rain - No Lights - No test).
. If you are using a trailer with hydraulic brakes it is a good idea to inspect the hyrdaulic pipe for splits, leaks or cracks. Then make sure that the brakes are at the reccomended tightness or "notch" for the tractor. If your are using Air brakes make sure the compressor is working correctly on most and that the correct air pressure is reaching the braking system.
Written by Andrew Blair
http://fs-uk.com/forum/index.php?topic=84594.0
Step 1: The first step is to apply for your provisional license (link below) this licence will stay with you until you have passed your car test at the age of 17 and above but the paperwork will be destroyed by the examiner at the examination centre upon passing your tractor test but you won’t have to reapply to learn how to drive your car.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG_10032690
Step 2:Choose your tractor to complete the test, best advice for this is something basic such as a Nh ts115, JD 6410 or something of a similar size. The tractor must be under 2.45 metres wide (Seb note: so don't pitch up in a Fendt 939), and in a ROADWORTHY condition as stated by the highway code (link Below). Points may include
http://www.learnerdriving.com/learn-to-drive/highway-code/?gclid=CJibuJvo96oCFQULfAodqx6GLQ
.Decent tread on tyres
.All lights such as indicators, brake lights, headlights and sidelights must be working although they may not all be checked upon your arrival to the test.
. The Mirrors must be fitted sturdy on both sides....
.Must be respectably clean windows and bodywork.
More can be found when you read the highway code, this is an advised read before arriving to your test along with a road signs guidebook. You cannot fail your test on not knowing your road test but it is counted as a minor error which if enough errors add up you COULD fail.
Step3: Now from exactly a month before your Birthday you must apply for a category F test the form for this can be picked up from your local large scale post office or online but post office is a lot easier. Now the date you apply for test and the place is more than likely to be rejected and you could be waiting up to 5 months for the day of your tractor test so don’t expect it to be instantaneous.
Step4: You’ve read the books, the highway code and the tractor is set kitted out with L plates visibly on the back and preferably front. It’s now time for your test to take place. These are some things that you need to watch out for when taking the test to make sure that you successfully pass your test.
. When pulling off turn your head right round over your shoulder and check out the back window, check your blind spots down the side of the tractor inline with the back wheels and forward of the doors, check both of your mirrors the side at which your turning FIRST.
. Make sure your indicators are on in the correct direction for which your turning and that once you have made the move you cancel the indicator if it isn’t automatic.
. During the test if there is an impatient driver behind you DO NOT wave him through because if something happens it will be your fault no discussion and you will fail your test instantly more times than not.
.Keep looking in your mirrors from time to time when driving along.
.Remember there is no rush don’t go flat out just 15mph will do as they want to see you are in control of the vehicle not if you can “drive er like yer stole er” i could only get up to 13mph in my test due to parked cars and traffic ever 5 yards.
. When reversing round the corner try to be within 1 metre of the kurb and look at the bonnet regularly when swinging round.
Step 5: when you’ve passed you now need to consider what it is legal to tow on the road, these are the official laws from VOSA on towing trailers, implements etc.....I know some of us
. The maximum speed for an agricultural vehicle on the road is 20mph unless it is fitted with mechanical steering, air brakes and twin axles suspension, the only tractor that has all of these is the Jcb Fastrac series not even the fendt has this, no-one listens to this law and it isn’t really enforced but just be wary as nearly all tractors go easily over 20mph without your noticing.
.The maximum road train weight for any agricultural vehicle that you are licensed for is 24tonnes this basicly means that if you have a 10tonne silage trailer on your tractor is gunna weigh about 7-8 tonnes then the trailer itself is about 3 or 4 sometimes meaning your very near your limit, 14 tonne trailer is also pushing it fully loaded. But hey ho...
.The trailer you are towing should have a minimum of hydraulic brakes when it weighs more than the tractor so most trailers these days, respectable tread on the tyres minimum of 2mm I think someone correct me if im wrong, number plate that MUST MATCH THE TRACTOR IT IS ATTACHED TO NOT JUST A TRACTOR IN THE FLEET. Working lights such as indicators and brake light.
. You are also restricted to 2.45 metres wide so most trailers these days ay just fit in or be bigger have a measure up before leaving......
.The trailer you are towing must be either close coupled axles such as a silage trailer, or a single axle trailer NO DOLLIES(front bogies).
. Even if you have passed your tractor test a loadall telehandler or forklift is not accepted unger the terms of the category F license 17 years of age or over for Loadalls. 21 years of age or over for large scale heavy plant equipment such as rubber duck diggers.
.If taking your test with a vintage tractor (I.e MF65) The machine must be fitted with the lighting/signaling equipment it was originally supplied with to be roadworthy. (bear in mind that without the minimum of headlights/sidelights you will be turned away from the test if adverse road conditions are in effect (I.e Heavy Rain - No Lights - No test).
. If you are using a trailer with hydraulic brakes it is a good idea to inspect the hyrdaulic pipe for splits, leaks or cracks. Then make sure that the brakes are at the reccomended tightness or "notch" for the tractor. If your are using Air brakes make sure the compressor is working correctly on most and that the correct air pressure is reaching the braking system.
Written by Andrew Blair
http://fs-uk.com/forum/index.php?topic=84594.0
brynseiri
Member
- Location
- Conwy, North Wales
I'd honestly not bother, you can't legally take a loaded grain trailer, tanker, a power harrow, a rake or anything wider than 2.45m or heavier than a 3 tonne trailer on the road legally after doing the test anyway, you can't use the tractor as personal transport either. It's a pointless exercise to be honest when in 12 months time you can do everything with a tractor after you've passed your car test, making you far more employable if you're after a job on a farm. The flip side to not bothering with your tractor test is this, and I'm not suggesting anyone do this, but if you're on the family farm, and the job dad wants you to do is lead grain / silage/ slurry, then technically you are driving without a licence the moment you get on the road with a loaded trailer, even if you've done the tractor test, so it ain't much more illegal to not bother with the test in the first place, because if caught, you'd be getting fu#ked over for the same offence. The tractor test is outdated and pointless, tractors are far bigger, faster and powerful than when the test was conceived, in this day and age a 50kph 160 hp tractor with a decent sized trailer is basically the equivalent of an 8 wheeler hgv. To send 16 year olds with no training or road experience on to public highways is dangerous to say the least, there's a lad local to us has never passed his car test, too thick to do the theory, he only has his tractor test (26 years old now) and has had a shitload of accidents involving other people, all his fault, not just because he's a cock, but because he's never driven a car on the road, he has no idea of what he's supposed to do on the road, he thinks that tractors have some sort of divine right of way, hence junctions are there to be pulled out of without warning, other drivers should know where he's going on a roundabout, as he's got the twin beacons on and he can mount the kerb and carry on past everyone in a queue on the inside because its summer and farmers are busy don't you know. He's made up his own highway rules because he's never been shown the correct way so just worked it out as he went along. Learn all of the Highway Code, do the theory and hazard perception disks every night for a few weeks.
Last edited:
- Location
- Wiltshire
I cant find the copy here at the moment but the Driving Standards Agency publish a booklet for the tractor test and tracked vehicles I would recommend you get a copy and read it, everything you need to know is it. My son did his test last year and had questions from all over the highway code so you will need to know it.
Simon Chiles
DD Moderator
- Location
- Surrey/ Kent Border, UK
Quite a bit of this is wrong, the max speed of a tractor ( not including fastracs and unimogs) is now 40k provided that it is less than 2.55m wide and the max train weight is now 31 tonnes, however the max weight of a trailer remains at 18,290 kgs.
Regulation 8 Road Vehicle ( Display of Registration Marks) Regs 2001,Part II, Section 8, Subsection 3 allows agricultural vehicles to display a different no plate on the trailer from the one on the tractor provided they are all registered to the same address.
A silage trailer isn't a close coupled trailer, it is one whose axle spacing is less than 840 mm.
Thanks for the corrections. Unfortunately it was written in something like 2011 and not by me, but I still think it's a good starting point for those looking to take the test.
@Simon Chiles Does it make any difference when doing tractor test what gearbox tractor has. Manual or power shift. Or auto power. And could you do it on the 135 or major
Simon Chiles
DD Moderator
- Location
- Surrey/ Kent Border, UK
You can do it on any tractor you like provided it's less than 2.45m wide if you are 16 and that it is fully road legal and that you are insured on it.
- Location
- Breconshire
I've got a feeling that when my boys did theirs they had to wait about a month for their tests after applying.
- Location
- South wales
When he does pass ban him from taking the phone in the cab lost count of the snapchats I've had off lads who've only been driving a few days taking pics and videos out on the roads
marshbarn
Member
- Location
- shropshire
Also they ask if you can show how to check water and oil levels, more easily said than done on modern tractors with side panels and raise up hoods.
- Location
- South wales
Keep ringing in the hope of cancellations