There has been a mixed reaction from farmers over the potential introduction of a tractor driving test.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) recently revealed that the introduction of a tractor driving test, as well as a mandatory training programme, is currently under review.

The Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said that he would be “concerned” about any impediments to the availability of tractor drivers, particularly during busy periods for farmers such as harvest.

Minister Heydon told the Irish Farmers Journal that road safety is really important and farm safety is extremely important. This sentiment was echoed by Séan McKeon from Co Leitrim, who argued that “drivers are already scarce” and described a potential testing process as being a “revenue-generating machine”.

Tim O’Connor from Co Cork explained the challenge he has in getting tractor drivers.

“It’s too difficult to get tractor drivers already. I cut my own pit silage and it’s coming to the stage where I will have to park my silage machinery and pay a contractor,” he said.

‘Fleece money’

Elizabeth Lynch from Galway also doesn’t agree that a driving test should be introduced and said: “I think that this is just another way to fleece money from people.”

Mayo’s Padraig Hughes has questioned if the proposal is justified and has looked to see statistics on the number of crashes involving a tractor with a driver who has not yet sat a test in a car to receive a full licence.

“If findings show a major correlation between drivers without a full licence for a car being involved in crashes, I believe it could be justified. But on the other hand, if findings show no significant correlation, I believe it will just be another money-grabbing exercise by our Government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Daniel Boland from Co Tipperary made the point that a driving test for tractors capable of doing 50km/h could be introduced.

“Or base it off horsepower, but that keeps the small farmers tipping away happy and anyone with proper power needs to know how to use it,” he said.

A reader who was agreeable to bringing a driving test was Cillian Burke from Co Wicklow – on the condition that the RSA provide the facilities for quick testing.

“The waiting time for tests for other licences is scandalous and I don’t think any type of testing should be brought out until they can confidently have quick turnaround times for testing.

Cost

“Their testing system seems to be under huge pressure in all licence categories. The fact they are now looking to add tests to an already dysfunctional testing system doesn’t make any sense.

“Their cost of tractor testing will also have to be examined,” Burke said.

Brugha Duffy from Meath is fully in favour of introducing a test for tractor drivers.

“Modern farm machinery is too large, fast and heavy and current tractor licensing does not take this into account. Passing a basic theory test is insufficient to potentially allow a 16-year-old legally drive a 250-horsepower tractor at up to 60km/h with a tri-axle trailer and gross weight of over 30t.”