Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has considered introducing a roadworthiness test for agricultural trailers alongside any future increase in agricultural weight limits.
Answer
The size of agricultural vehicles in Great Britain is limited by a 2015 amendment to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. This allows for a maximum laden weight of 31 tonnes. This weight is the total laden weight for a tractor and trailer, with the weight of a loaded trailer limited to 18.29 tonnes. There are currently no plans to review weight limits for driving agricultural vehicles on public roads. However, departmental officials are meeting with the National Farmers Union to consider proposals. The government recognises that modern agricultural machinery has increased in size and complexity but feels the current regulatory framework limits the amount of damage done to British roads and supports road safety while also providing benefits to the UK economy. While most agricultural vehicles are not subject to a mandatory annual MOT regime in the same way as most cars, they are nevertheless subject to legal roadworthiness requirements, maintenance obligations and enforcement activity when operating on public roads. They must comply with the standards set out in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which give the legal requirements governing the condition and use of vehicles and trailers on the road. Responsibility for compliance rests with both the vehicle operator (which may include the vehicle owner, farmer or business using the vehicle) and the driver where they are different.
Verdict: AMBER (28/100)
The reply explains the current maintenance and roadworthiness rules for agricultural vehicles, including that they are not subject to an MOT. It does not say whether a roadworthiness test for agricultural trailers has been considered, which was the core of the question. It also says there are no plans to review weight limits and that officials are considering proposals from the National Farmers' Union, but it does not address how any future weight increase would sit alongside a roadworthiness test, so the questioner would likely need to ask again for specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Department has considered introducing a roadworthiness test for agricultural trailers alongside any future increase in agricultural weight limits. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply describes the existing roadworthiness and maintenance regime for agricultural vehicles, including that they are not subject to an MOT, but never states whether a roadworthiness test for agricultural trailers has been considered. It also says there are no plans to review weight limits and that officials are considering NFU proposals, which does not address the 'alongside any future increase' element. |