Agricultural tractors
What you need to know.
This page offers information about tractor licensing categories, legal weights and dimensions, roadworthiness testing, seatbelts, number plates and type approval.
Tractor walkaround checks
Tractor Walkaround ChecklistCarrying out a daily tractor walkaround check is a practical and effective way to help keep you and other road users safe. Modern tractors are bigger and faster than before, so even a small problem can become dangerous if it is not found early. By taking a few minutes to check things like tyres, lights, brakes, linkages, hydraulics, steering and visibility, you can spot issues before they cause breakdowns or collisions and help your tractor last longer. Making these essential checks part of your daily routine is an effective way to improve road safety and keep your tractor roadworthy.An agricultural tractor
An agricultural tractor is defined as:
- having at least two axles;
- having a design speed of 6 km/h or more as specified by the manufacturer;
- may be equipped with one or more passenger seats;
- designed specially to draw and work with other equipment attachments and is used for agricultural, fisheries, forestry or horticultural work.
General rules
Roadworthiness testing
An agricultural tractor does not need to be roadworthiness tested, however you are legally required to ensure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at all times when it is used on a public road.
Fast tractors must undergo a roadworthiness test and display a certificate of roadworthiness (CRW). A fast tractor is defined as a wheeled tractor in category T with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h.
A fast tractor will not have to undergo a roadworthiness test if it is used for the purposes of agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery activity solely within the State and mainly on the land where such activity takes place, including agricultural roads, forestry roads or agricultural fields or is used exclusively on a small island.
Please visit our Fast tractor testing page on the CVRT website for more details.
Flashing amber beacon
All tractors and self-propelled machines are required to be fitted with a flashing amber beacon and have it switched on when operating on the pubic road.
Number plates
Tractors must have number plates fitted to the front and rear. Please contact Revenue for further information on this.
Weights and dimensions
Our factsheet on Weights and Dimensions outlines the legal width, length, height and weight limits that apply to agricultural tractors.
Seatbelts
Under current road traffic law, you do not have to wear a seat belt on a tractor however, we would always advise the use of a seat belt for your own safety.
Type approval category
Tractors are categorised by the letter T and comprises all wheeled tractors; each wheeled tractor category is supplemented at the end of an ‘a’ or ‘b’ index according to its design speed:
‘a’ for wheeled tractors with a maximum design speed below or equal to 40 km/h e.g. T1a, T2a
‘b’ for wheeled tractors with a maximum design speed above 40 km/h e.g. T1b, T2b
For further information on tractor categories refer to EU Regulation 167/2013
| Tractor Category | Definition of Category |
| T1 | Wheeled tractors with the closest axle to the driver having a minimum track width of not less than 1,150 mm, with an unladen mass in running order of more than 600 kg and with a ground clearance of not more than 1,000 mm |
| T2 | Wheeled tractors with a minimum track width of less than 1,150 mm, with an unladen mass in running order of more than 600 kg; with a ground clearance of not more than 600mm; if the height of the centre of gravity of the tractor measured in relation to the ground divided by the average minimum track for each axle exceeds 0.90, the maximum design speed shall be restricted to 30 km/h. |
| T3 | Wheeled tractors with unladen mass in running order of not more than 600 kg |
| T4 | Special purpose wheeled tractors with a maximum design speed of not more than 40 km/h |
| T4.1 | High clearance tractors |
| T4.2 | Extra-wide tractors |
| T4.3 | Low clearance tractors |
Frequently asked questions
The type-approval of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable towed machinery together with their systems, components and separate technical units falls under the remit of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
No. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy at all times. See HSA ‘Essential Tractor Safety Checks’ leaflet for more information.
You will need to contact the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) regarding information on type-approval.
You will need to contact Revenue to enquire what documentation they require to register an imported tractor in Ireland.
No. However under the Roads Act 1993 it is an offence to place or deposit ‘dung or urine from an animal owned by him or any material or thing which falls from a vehicle owned or used by him’. For further information contact your local authority.
If you use an agricultural tractor on a public road it must be licensed, taxed and insured. Contact your Local authority who have responsibility for hedge cutting and road maintenance.
We would advise that forks or other front mounted handling attachments should be faced down as it is considered a dangerous projection causing risks of injury to other road users. For further guidance on safe use of tractors and machinery on the farm see the HSA website.