Last chance saloon on tax and trailer licences

FARMERS have again been advised this week to check out their tractor tax positions and their driving licences as regards trailers, with the new regulations due to click in over the coming days and weeks.

Over recent weeks there has been considerable concern among farmers – especially those in the older age bracket – over the new rules as regards the towing of a trailer.

Many farmers have discovered that their licence does not contain the EB category that covers them for towing a trailer over 750kg in weight – this could involve them having to re-sit both the theory and road test (with trailer attached).

This week, Fine Gael East Galway TD, Paul Connaughton, said that he was unhappy with the proposal to force some farmers to undergo this special test, especially with many of them having up to 35 years of accident driving behind them.

However he advised farmers that if they had obtained their ‘normal licence’ prior to 1989, they were entitled to have the trailer category added on without doing the test.

‘Proof in relation to this can be obtained from the local Motor Tax Office, where licence records are retained. Where proof is not available from this source, the Road Safety Authority is prepared to accept a sworn affidavit from the licence holder indicating that he or she held a licence for towing trailers prior to 1989.

“However, the offer to add the trailer category will only be available for a limited period to be decided by the RSA and that’s why I am advising farmers to check their licences and make sure that they are in order before the time to make these changes expires.

‘Many farmers are currently towing trailers in the mistaken belief that they are covered by their licence to do so, which may also have repercussions on their insurance status and I would urge farmers to check that their licence is in order, and if necessary, to avail of the current opportunity to have the trailer option added to their licence, if it was in place prior to 1989,” said Deputy Connaughton.

Galway Environment Chairman, Bertie Roche, said that farmers needed to check out the status of their licence as a matter of priority as it could have implications for their insurance as well.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.