Driving an quad on the road with a trailer

[TrewithickFarm]

Hi All,

Could someone clarify or point me in the direction of what the regulations are on towing a trailer behind a quad on the public highway regarding trailer lighting?

This is for my day job with the RNLI and im struggling to find information online.

I have established that we can drive on the road with no lights in daylight hours and good visibility, the quad just has to display a number plate. but not sure if this applies to towing a trailer aswell.

Steve

 

[vantage]

Be a sad state of affairs if Plod pulls up the RNLI.

 

[TrewithickFarm]

Be a sad state of affairs if Plod pulls up the RNLI.

More about ticking the boxes

 

[Adam@Rumen]

Not much help, but I'm guessing that means you'll have a daytime MOT like some motorbikes in that case?

 

[TrewithickFarm]

Not much help, but I'm guessing that means you'll have a daytime MOT like some motorbikes in that case?

No cause they are taxed as agriculture vehicle or lifeboat launch

 

[Simon Chiles]

No cause they are taxed as agriculture vehicle or lifeboat launch

Technically a quad can only be taxed as an agricultural vehicle if it’s used solely for the purposes of agriculture. If you’re looking to tick boxes you’ll have to address this first and find it’s suitable taxation class, if there actually is one for lifeboat launching. You should then be able to discover whether you need lights on both the quad and the trailer.
However, as others have stated, it’d be a sad day if plod stopped you on lifeboat duties.

 

[Drillman]

The day the plod pull the RNLI I would drag the copper on board and take them along!

preferably in a storm when everyone else is running for cover!

 

[TrewithickFarm]

When we had tax discs lifeboat launch was on the disc.

just cannot find any info on towing a trailer behind a vehicle that’s for daylight use only.

 

[Simon Chiles]

When we had tax discs lifeboat launch was on the disc.

just cannot find any info on towing a trailer behind a vehicle that’s for daylight use only.

Just had a quick look at taxation classes and it should be taxed as an emergency vehicle and ( obviously) have a nil rate.
I’ve also checked my reference book that states that all Agricultural Motor Vehicles must have two white lights and headlights at the front and two red lamps at the rear to be used on the road according to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989, Regulation18 and Schedule1. I’d suggest that this document would be worth trawling through to find your answers.

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

www.legislation.gov.uk

PS. Having had a quick look through this I think you should have lights on the quad as there are no exceptions to this rule for any vehicle with 3 or more wheels.

 

[TrewithickFarm]

Just had a quick look at taxation classes and it should be taxed as an emergency vehicle and ( obviously) have a nil rate.
I’ve also checked my reference book that states that all Agricultural Motor Vehicles must have two white lights and headlights at the front and two red lamps at the rear to be used on the road according to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989, Regulation18 and Schedule1. I’d suggest that this document would be worth trawling through to find your answers.

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

www.legislation.gov.uk

PS. Having had a quick look through this I think you should have lights on the quad as there are no exceptions to this rule for any vehicle with 3 or more wheels.

Thanks simon, i will have another trawl through that.

 

[Fendt516profi]

I think there's abit more to it than just the lighting as @Cab-over Pete knows towing a trailer requires it to be registered as a agricultural tractor. I've just checked log book and our quads are registered as agricultural machine but interestingly our tractor is actually on the log book as a agricultural machine

 

[Robt]

The day the plod pull the RNLI I would drag the copper on board and take them along!

preferably in a storm when everyone else is running for cover!

It will be all about insurance. If they have a bump then insurance will be void if vehicle driven illegally. Police wont be a problem. Insurance company will. (I'm CG)

 

[TrewithickFarm]

Im 99% sure that our ATV's are taxed as "Lifeboat Haulage" but im not sure if that then means we are not exempt from the lighting reg's. as all thats listed is a quad register as an agricultural vehicle.

12.4 Lifeboat Haulage and Lighthouse Authority Vehicles Vehicles which are used solely for hauling lifeboats and conveying the gear which is necessary for the boats are exempt from vehicle tax. An exemption also applies to vehicles which are used by the general lighthouse authorities of Trinity House and Commissioners for Northern Lighthouses.

Agricultural quad bikes
An agricultural quadricycle (quad) is a light 4-wheeled vehicle intended for off-road use. It must be registered with DVLA as an agricultural vehicle and be used as a working vehicle for farming, forestry or similar purposes.

You are allowed to use an agricultural quad on the public road for short distances as long as it is registered for road use, has a number plate and complies with the relevant lighting and construction requirements.

Lighting requirements
If you use an agricultural quad on the public road between sunrise and sunset you are not required to fit a lamp or reflector. However, you will be required to make hand signals to indicate slowing down or change of direction.

 

[TrewithickFarm]

It will be all about insurance. If they have a bump then insurance will be void if vehicle driven illegally. Police wont be a problem. Insurance company will. (I'm CG)

This is exactly the reason, and also beaches are classed as public highway, unless they are privately owned