Licence eligibility rule relaxed for farmers driving tractors

13/10/98

Transport Minister Murray Criddle said today farmers in Western Australia would be able to use their A-class drivers licences to drive tractors over 4.5 tonnes on the road without having to comply with the 12-month eligibility rule.

The Minister said farmers were concerned that the proposed 12-month rule would prevent farm workers under the age of 18 from driving tractors unless they had held an A-class licence for at least a year.

"This is a commonsense approach as WA prepares to convert to the National Driver Licence classifications which are expected to be in place by the end of next year," Mr Criddle said.

"The new national drivers licence classifications will not adversely affect WA farmers despite concerns from the WA Farmers' Federation.

"The new classes to be introduced reflect an Australia-wide initiative to realistically represent the types of vehicles used on Australian roads and better match licence classes to those types of vehicles."

"Farmers will be able to apply for a new class of licence to be called light or medium rigid licence, which will allow them to drive tractors.

"In line with current practice, applicants will be required to produce written evidence from their employer that they are competent to drive a tractor of any size or weight.

"Applicants will not be required to undergo a driving test."

Mr Criddle said the exemption would alleviate problems faced by farmers who employed workers who were not yet 18 but who were required to drive tractors that weighed over 4.5 tonnes.

Media contact: Doug Cunningham (08) 9321 7333