Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review the current 31-tonne maximum permitted laden weight for agricultural tractor and trailer combinations.
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: GREEN (85/100)
The reply gives a clear, direct answer: there are currently no plans to review the weight limits for agricultural vehicles on public roads. It also gives a reason, that the existing framework limits road damage and supports safety and the economy, and restates the 31-tonne and 18.29-tonne figures the question referred to. The mention of a meeting with the National Farmers' Union to consider its proposals adds context but does not contradict the position. The asker would likely have what they need to move on.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Department plans to review the current 31-tonne maximum permitted laden weight for agricultural tractor and trailer combinations. | Addressed | Direct | Statement 5 gives a direct answer that there are currently no plans to review the weight limits for agricultural vehicles on public roads, and statement 8 gives a stated reason (the framework limits road damage and supports safety and the economy), while statements 2-4 restate the 31-tonne and 18.29-tonne figures the question refers to. Statement 6 (meeting the NFU to consider proposals) adds some nuance but does not undercut the 'no plans' answer. |