The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has claimed that changes to the tractor driver licence category will have a “significant impact” on many agricultural contractors.
The FCI said that it was informed this week about changes to the ‘W’ driver licence category which covers work vehicles other than land tractors.
The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) website now states that a W licence “should only be used for agricultural or forestry work”.
It adds that anyone driving commercially, such as carrying stone or blocks for construction work should hold a Category CE or C1E licence.
The NDLS also states that such drivers should also undertake Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) training.
FCI
The FCI said that these changes will affect many agricultural contractors who do some non-agricultural work as part of their services.
FCI said that it understands some contractors were requested to leave work sites this week as they could not produce a C or C1E licence and CPC certificate
The association has written to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which manages the NDLS, requesting clarification on the issue as a matter of urgency.
In the letter, the FCI asked when the change to the W category licence was introduced, the reason for the change and what legislation brought about the amendments.
It noted that the W licence is a national licence and is not covered by the EU Driver Licence Directive.
The FCI said it had been informed by CEETTAR, the European Confederation of Agricultural, Rural and Forestry Contractors, that each EU country has its own national licences for tractors and works vehicles.
Chaos
Meanwhile, two rural TDs have strongly criticised the RSA and the government for “causing chaos in the construction industry and the house-building sector”.
Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice and Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae issued similar statements saying the licence changes which impose “unnecessary burdens on workers” have “sparked outrage among industry professionals”.
The TDs described the move as “sneaky” and emphasised that it had been implemented without any consultation with the affected industry.
Both Fitzmaurice and Healy-Rae claimed that the new regulations could lead to potential job losses of up to 3000 to 4000 people.
The TDs added that the move “threatens to bring the housing sector, road projects, and civil works across the country to a standstill, severely hampering progress and development”.
The TDs called for an “urgent intervention” from the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Tánaiste Michael Martin.
Agriland has contacted the RSA for comment.