News from Holland: Obligatory number plates & obligatory MOTs
3 things to take into consideration:
If you are based in Holland, a number plate is now required for any new agricultural or forestry tractor or vehicle requiring a MOT. This will apply from when the new bill from Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, will come into force. Introducing number plates also makes it easier for the Netherlands to implement the requirement for MOTs for agricultural vehicles. In fact, although the Netherlands does not yet fully comply with this requirement, this has been in effect since 20 May, 2018.
In this article, we fill you in on three issues to take into consideration once obligatory number plates and MOTs are introduced.
The bill: an overview
The Minister's bill states that the maximum speed for agricultural vehicles will be raised from 25 to 40 km per hour if the vehicle has a number plate. A MOT is only required for vehicles that drive faster than 40 km per hour. This European directive specifies that tractors designed to reach speeds of more than 40 km per hour are required to undergo regular inspections.
The MOT requirement applies to both new and existing agricultural and forestry tractors, as well as mobile machinery. Number plates for existing fleets of agricultural vehicles are not required immediately: an interim regulation is expected here - please see point 3. The Dutch House of Representatives will vote on the bill in the near future. Here are three issues that your customers need to take into consideration:
1. More stringent checks by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (Rijksdienst voor het wegverkeer, or RDW)
Without a number plate, checks cannot be carried out on the speed of a tractor, or whether it is insured. The requirement to have a number plate makes it easier for the RDW to carry out checks and to make sure that a tractor is properly insured. How does this help? It improves road safety. If tractors can drive faster, they can access rural roads. This means that heavy agricultural vehicles no longer have to drive through villages or residential areas.
The MOT requirement also provides more opportunities for minor and major servicing of agricultural and forestry tractors. Owners of tractors and other vehicles in this category already have to meet the relevant inspection requirements. You can make this task easier for your customers by helping them to comply with these new laws and regulations within the set time frame.
2. Operating risks & extra burden
Having one rear number plate involves several costs: plate purchase and registration, vehicle registration and insurance.
Introducing obligatory number plates and MOTs means adding an extra burden for operators. However, the new law will improve road safety and this represents a huge benefit.
Every accident or collision that takes place at a business or in its name increases the insurance premium for a vehicle. There are plenty of tips and preventive measures that you can share with your customers to help avoid the risk of such incidents occurring. These include ensuring that trailer couplings and vehicle hazard signs are in good order to avoid accidents on the road, in the field and on the shop floor.
3. Exceptions to the rule
When laws are passed, exceptions are frequently made; in this case it is a transition period for existing tractors. Existing tractors that require a number plate (in other words, tractors that drive faster than 40 km per hour) will benefit from a transition period that ends on 31 December 2024. In addition, the requirement for a MOT will most likely not apply to vehicles that mainly drive on private property, plots of land and local roads. Businesses will need to register any of their vehicles that are driven on public roads with the RDW within a reasonable period.
Exceptions aside, there are plenty of changes in the offing in terms of laws and regulations relating to obligatory number plates and MOTs. The challenge here is for all the involved parties to issue advice about the following matters: How can a tractor drive safely on public roads? And what issues need to be looked out for?
Not everyone is aware of what the optimal technical condition of agricultural vehicles should be, creating the potential for drivers to commit traffic offences and creating hazardous situations. Providing information and preventive maintenance therefore plays a big part. How can you contribute?
Want more information?
Then please get in touch with us. You can also visit kramp.com for everything you might need to help your customers meet their MOT and number plate obligations.
