Combine harvesters are classified as agricultural engines under UK law and must adhere to specific regulations when operated on public roads. Here’s what you need to know about legally and safely operating these large machines on UK roads.
Licensing Requirements
According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) guidance, combine harvesters fall under the category of “agricultural engines” and can be driven by anyone holding a category B (car) license. However, operators must be at least 21 years old to drive these vehicles on public roads, as specified in the latest driver licensing requirements for agricultural vehicles.
Size and Weight Restrictions
When taking a combine harvester on public roads, you must comply with strict dimensional limits. The maximum width allowed without special permission is 3 metres. If your combine exceeds this width, specific procedures must be followed:
- For machines between 3-3.5 m wide: You must notify the police two days in advance if travelling more than five miles or through areas with speed limits of 40 mph or less.
- For machines between 3.5 and 4.3 m wide, police notification is mandatory, speed is restricted to 12 mph, and an attendant must accompany the vehicle.
Your combine’s height must also be considered. If it exceeds 3 metres, you must display a notice in the cab showing the maximum height in both imperial and metric measurements, with numbers at least 40 mm tall.
Speed Restrictions and Road Safety
Combines are limited to 12 mph on public roads when wider than 3.5 meters. For standard-width machines, the speed limit is 25 mph unless they meet specific higher-speed requirements, which most combine do not.
Lighting and Visibility
During daylight hours with good visibility, combines don’t require lights. However, if fitted, they must be operational. For nighttime or poor visibility conditions, the following are mandatory:
- Front position lamps
- Rear position lamps
- Rear retro-reflectors
- Direction indicators
- Hazard warning lights
An amber warning beacon must be used when travelling on unrestricted dual carriageways where the maximum speed doesn’t exceed 25 mph.
Road Cleanliness and Responsibility
As with all agricultural vehicles, combine operators have a legal responsibility to prevent mud or debris from being deposited on the road. According to the latest agriculture sector guidance, if any material is deposited, it must be cleaned up promptly to prevent hazards to other road users.
Insurance and Tax
While combines are exempt from vehicle tax when used solely for agriculture, they must still be registered with the DVLA and appropriately insured for road use. The tax exemption must be renewed annually, even though no payment is required.
Remember that these regulations exist to ensure everyone’s safety on public roads. Given the size and limited manoeuvrability of combine harvesters, extra caution should always be exercised when moving them between fields or facilities on public roads.
Darren has owned several companies in the automotive, advertising and education industries. He has run driving theory educational websites since 2010.