16 year old and road driving

[Cab-over Pete]

Aye-up,

it’s that time.... lad taking his test.

I’m just wondering what the maximum legal weight is that he can tow once passed. I know about the width and the axle spacings of the trailer, but not sure on the weight.

He’s taking the test on The Best Tractor In The World, our 4wd JD 2850.

Is it just a given weight or something like a ratio depending on the weight of the towing tractor?

Cheers, Pete.

 

[nick...]

Thought it was 3ton till the age of 21 but sure someone will know
Nick...

 

[startinghandle]

Is the tractor clean and all lights working??

 

[the-mad-welder]

Max weight for tractor, trailer and load was 7.5 ton when I did mine 23 years ago at age 16.

 

[michael N123]

I never did my test and no one ever asked

 

[Exfarmer]

The weight is the same for any driver of any age. Just restrictions on width and type of trailer.
Do not forget he cannot drive a specialist vehicle such as SP sprayer, combine or most importantly an SP Lime spreader till he is 21!
This also applies to larger loader shovels

 

[PSQ]

The 2.5m width limit (iirc) stopped eldest son doing the test at 16, as we don’t have a tractor narrow enough for him to drive - the wee NH T6 is 2” too wide.
So for many arable farms at least, the regs have been left behind by the march of progress.

 

[ColinV6]

I never did my test and no one ever asked

Same!

 

[Cab-over Pete]

The weight is the same for any driver of any age. Just restrictions on width and type of trailer.
Do not forget he cannot drive a specialist vehicle such as SP sprayer, combine or most importantly an SP Lime spreader till he is 21!
This also applies to larger loader shovels

It’s been a hellish long process, but that was one of the major factors behind eventually settling with the Claas Xerion. It’s not an agricultural machine or a self propelled unit. It’s classed as an agricultural tractor. I have also resisted the temptation to update my Loadall because, being a small model, he can drive that too, assuming he passes his test.

If he was totally uninterested in my business I would never have entertained swapping from the Multistrife, but would have kept it and run it for as long as economically sensible. Then looked to local subcontractors to provide the spreading service on my behalf.

As it is, we can’t seem to fight him off so best get him equipped for the future!

I think, in a nutshell, if you’re using a trailer of the correct width and axle configuration, it will come with its own correct gross weight then maybe?

 

[R tea]

The weight is the same for any driver of any age. Just restrictions on width and type of trailer.
Do not forget he cannot drive a specialist vehicle such as SP sprayer, combine or most importantly an SP Lime spreader till he is 21!
This also applies to larger loader shovels

That may well be true but how stupid it is when you can do your class 1 at 18!

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I’ve brought this point up with the NAAC.

We could be losing good drivers to the haulage industry simply because they can get going on bigger kit at a younger age.

 

[Phil P]

May find some helpful info on this thread @Cab-over Pete

Legal limits for a 16yr old

Can anyone help is there a legal weight limit for a 16yr old on a tractor? Cheers daz

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[ajd132]

It’s been a hellish long process, but that was one of the major factors behind eventually settling with the Claas Xerion. It’s not an agricultural machine or a self propelled unit. It’s classed as an agricultural tractor. I have also resisted the temptation to update my Loadall because, being a small model, he can drive that too, assuming he passes his test.

If he was totally uninterested in my business I would never have entertained swapping from the Multistrife, but would have kept it and run it for as long as economically sensible. Then looked to local subcontractors to provide the spreading service on my behalf.

As it is, we can’t seem to fight him off so best get him equipped for the future!

I think, in a nutshell, if you’re using a trailer of the correct width and axle configuration, it will come with its own correct gross weight then maybe?

I struggle with the idea of a 16 year old driving a xerion on the road! Or does he have to be 18 for that?

 

[Phil P]

I struggle with the idea of a 16 year old driving a xerion on the road! Or does he have to be 18 for that?

I have a feeling the xerion may be just a shade over the 2.45m width restrictions to be legal for a 16 year old to drive on the road. Could be wrong though, won’t be the first time ?

 

[daveydiesel1]

If you have a class1 would you be fit to drive the larger vechiles

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I have a feeling the xerion may be just a shade over the 2.45m width restrictions to be legal for a 16 year old to drive on the road. Could be wrong though, won’t be the first time ?

I didn’t say he’s legal at 16, but when he is legally allowed, it’s a tractor and not an ag machine.

At the very least he will also need to pass his car test to drive anything over 2.45m.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I struggle with the idea of a 16 year old driving a xerion on the road! Or does he have to be 18 for that?

He can legally drive any tractor trailer combination on the road at 17 and as long as he has also passed his car test.

However, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean I will let him. He will need to prove himself in the field and show himself to be mature enough to take the job on. Even then he will be escorted by me on front on the other machine.

 

[Exfarmer]

He can legally drive any tractor trailer combination on the road at 17 and as long as he has also passed his car test.

However, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean I will let him. He will need to prove himself in the field and show himself to be mature enough to take the job on. Even then he will be escorted by me on front on the other machine.

As I understand it Pete the car licence has no influence on driving ability once a tractor licence and the 17th birthday has been passed.
Glad you have a young COP to take over the business in due course, nurture him carefully as they are becoming increasingly rare!

 

[Cowcorn]

It’s been a hellish long process, but that was one of the major factors behind eventually settling with the Claas Xerion. It’s not an agricultural machine or a self propelled unit. It’s classed as an agricultural tractor. I have also resisted the temptation to update my Loadall because, being a small model, he can drive that too, assuming he passes his test.

If he was totally uninterested in my business I would never have entertained swapping from the Multistrife, but would have kept it and run it for as long as economically sensible. Then looked to local subcontractors to provide the spreading service on my behalf.

As it is, we can’t seem to fight him off so best get him equipped for the future!

I think, in a nutshell, if you’re using a trailer of the correct width and axle configuration, it will come with its own correct gross weight then maybe?

Thank your lucky stars you have a son intrested in the business!!! Or more importantly that your missus isint hellbent on kepping him away from dirty work . My lad will turn 15 this year and despite my wifes objections he will start ploughing this spring and hopefully be a help at the weekends and holidays .

 

[Cab-over Pete]

As I understand it Pete the car licence has no influence on driving ability once a tractor licence and the 17th birthday has been passed.
Glad you have a young COP to take over the business in due course, nurture him carefully as they are becoming increasingly rare!

I’ve just read @Simon Chiles comments on a different thread and he says the same about the car licence being irrelevant.

I’ve definitely been told that the car licence is required by both a VOSA official and a policeman.