Two teenage, learner permit drivers, were separately stopped by Kilkenny Road Policing Unit (RPU) for using their mobile phone while driving a tractor.

According to An Garda Síochána, Kilkenny RPU stopped one 17 year old for using a mobile phone while driving a tractor towing a 'big square baler" yesterday (June 12).

Later the same day Gardaí confirmed that Kilkenny RPU also stopped a 16 year old driving a tractor pulling a "big slurry spreader".

They confirmed that the teenage drivers were "both on learner permits, both on mobile phones in north Kilkenny".

It is an offence to use a mobile phone while driving and this carries a €120 fine and three penalty points.

According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), learner permit drivers can still receive penalty points, but at a lower threshold of seven penalty points leading to disqualification.

The RSA states that a learner permit licence allows an individual to drive on all public roads, except motorways, for the purposes of learning to drive.

The learner driver can only be accompanied by an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone who has held a valid driving licence in the same category for more than two years.  

The RSA also state that a learner permit driver cannot drive while towing a trailer in vehicle categories B, C1, C, D1 or D (cars, buses and trucks).   

However, this law excludes category W vehicles which tractors come under.

Category W vehicles are work vehicles and tractors with a maximum design speed of 40 km/h that are constructed primarily for work other than for the carriage of goods or burdens by road.

According to the RSA to learn to drive a category W vehicle in Ireland, an individual must first prove their identity and their entitlement to a driving licence or learner permit. 

They must also prove they are at least 16 years of age.