- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
I think, but unsure, that either a MF or JD had a sticker saying the seat was "Not a passenger seat and for driver training ONLY"
16 year old and driving on the road
- Thread starter Shebb90
- Start date
Clive has got it 100% right..... Those that say , he is an excellent driver at 12... Yes but he hasnt the experience and hasnt the awareness.thought I was invincible aged 16-21 ........ frankly a small miracle i’m still alive. Sadly some equally “invincible” friends are not
Clives comments concern me regarding potentially passengers not being Insured. All vehicle Insurances have to cover passenger liability under the road traffic act BUT some policies have a clause saying; no cover if a vehicle is driven carrying more passengers than the maximum seating capacity for the Insured vehicle as set by the vehicle manufacturer.
I need to do some more research on the above and try and come back with something definitive, fairly standard practice for all of us to have another member of staff/friend/family sat in "training seat"
Pretty much waste of time putting 16 yo on any modern tractor even if he has passed tractor test, the width and trailer restrictions will make him illegal almost certainly.
Be aware that even letting 17 yo having passed test, on road with tractor and trailer you need to be able to prove what training he has had and have a written record of how you have assessed his competancy. If not and there is a serious accident as vehicle owner you will be hung, drawn and quartered in court. Insurance may cover you, but who needs the hassle,potential criminal record etc
I need to do some more research on the above and try and come back with something definitive, fairly standard practice for all of us to have another member of staff/friend/family sat in "training seat"
Pretty much waste of time putting 16 yo on any modern tractor even if he has passed tractor test, the width and trailer restrictions will make him illegal almost certainly.
Be aware that even letting 17 yo having passed test, on road with tractor and trailer you need to be able to prove what training he has had and have a written record of how you have assessed his competancy. If not and there is a serious accident as vehicle owner you will be hung, drawn and quartered in court. Insurance may cover you, but who needs the hassle,potential criminal record etc
betternextyear
Member
- Location
- salop
The neighbouring farmer to me let a keen 16 year old brush the lane with a telescopic as he backed into the main road he was hit by a lorry and sadly killed. The farmer was jailed. Just because your good doesnt make you experienced.
I know a few ex teacher's, they all say they could tell the pupils that came from a agricultural background in the first year at high school, they were way ahead in life skills than town pupils, I found the same with myself, school was boring most of the time to me all the time I was there , except wood work, metal work and engineering drawing, all of which I past with high marks. I drove tractors from about 8 ish. Rolling, chain harrowing etc. Dad was a good teacher [emoji3].
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
I too drove a tractor from a young age, but if a fergy 20 hit the wall the tractor stopped todays tractors would be straight and away.
Simon Chiles
DD Moderator
- Location
- Surrey/ Kent Border, UK
A telehandler needs a cat B license and depending on it’s weight the driver might even need to be over 21.
That was a horrible incident all round...
Tarw Coch
Member
- Location
- Bottom of Wats Dyke
Practical life skills maybe, the town kids were much more street wise than us country bumpkins from Berriew
Tarw Coch
Member
- Location
- Bottom of Wats Dyke
Was that approx 20 years ago?
Could be. [emoji106].But I know a lot of thick educated people from towns. [emoji16]
betternextyear
Member
- Location
- salop
yes
Doesn't seem that long back....
The first tractor I drove was a 1958 Fordson major. did a lot of hrs on that over the yrs. a lot of silage pit work with duel wheels fitted. in my teens. and a good suntan.
Passenger seat in tractors as long as fitted by manufacturer is legal as far as I am aware for a passenger to travel in. Have looked at number of tractor V5 documents and none of them specify the number of seats. I would expect any Insurer to pay a claim for injury to the person sat in the passenger seat. If they were not in a passenger seat but sat on toolbox/mudguard etc (within cab) you are in a very gray area with a fairly high likelihood of Insurers not paying.