Written answers
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Driver Licences
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to recently announced changes to licensing categories, if he will review the change to category W licences, given the challenges it would present to farmers and agricultural contractors who also utilise non-farm vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12757/24]
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and my Department have no plans to change the licensing rules regarding tractors. Category W will continue to be the licence category that covers work vehicles and land tractors.
The definition of “work vehicle” means a vehicle (other than a land tractor) which has a maximum design speed not exceeding 40 kilometres per hour and which is constructed primarily for any work other than the conveyance by road of good or burden of any other description. Road traffic laws and CPC requirements only apply on public roads, not on construction sites.
My Department and the RSA are aware that the EU’s Fourth Driving Licence Directive, which may be adopted by end 2024, could provide a revised definition of tractors. Once the Directive has been published, my Department and the RSA will consult with stakeholders in advance of the introduction of any relevant national regulations. Until the new EU Driving Licence Directive is approved and enacted, the existing approach to tractor licencing will continue. The RSA website has been updated to reflect this.
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