Risk of £1,000 fine weighs heavily after new vehicle legislation

Farmers face the risk of being fined £1,000 for driving vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes without the correct paperwork.

New legislation, which came into force on Tuesday, requires all farmers and their employees to have gained the Certificate of Professional Competence if they are required to drive vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.

NFU Scotland has warned that many farmers across the country are still in the dark about the new rules.

“Drivers of goods vehicles, including floats, over 3.5 tonnes laden weight, must have undertaken at least 35 hours of continued professional competence (CPC) training and do so every five years,” said NFUS legal and technical committee chairman Jamie Smart.

“For those who haven’t yet obtained a CPC, our advice is to go through the training as soon as possible,” he said.

He stressed that the new legislation covered large vans and lorries of more than 3.5 tonnes laden, but did not include combinations such as Land Rovers and trailers or tractors and trailers.

The NFUS urges members in doubt to call its free Agricultural Vehicle Helpline on 07733 136 424.