MadaboutKitcars

As I have been too ill, and poor, to get much done on my trike I have been working on my electric tractor build.

The Ikea box is just a template for the bonnet.



The tractor is almost done and ready to hit the road (farm track).
As it will be crossing and traveling on the public road for very short moments I would like it to be road legal.

Any thoughts on what the process is to get a scratch built, non agricultural tractor registered?

It weighs 400kg, top speed 10mph with a tail wind and I will fit all road legal lighting and an amber flashing light if I need to. There is no chassis number or VIN yet and no serial number on the electric motor or the transaxle so I figure I will need some. Are VINs issued or do I make up my own?
Quite happy with a Q plate.

I could get it registered as a mobility scooter apparently, and it would be fun to drive the tractor through Tescos, but I want it done correctly as a tractor so I can tow a trailer and attend shows with it.

I have been asked to convert a local farm tractor to electric for an organic grower, with the possibility of more conversions if successful, so I want to be able to take it to the farmers to show what it can do.

Many thanks.

VIN numbers can be made up - they just need to be the correct length.

As for registering it for the road, that will probably mean going through IVA, unfortunately. You'd be best off ringing up VOSA and asking for a definitive call though.

Here's the passenger vehicle IVA manual:

http://www.minimag.co.uk/files/2011/08/M1-Inspection-Manual-May-09-1.pdf

Having read the first page of that though, you may find that you'd need to put it through the light goods vehicle test...

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/IVA%20N1%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf

But reading this:

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/repository/IVA-Guide-version-30-Dec.pdf

You may be able to argue that it's a 'special purpose' vehicle.

Cheers,

GOO

Thanks GOO, It looks like I can avoid an IVA as it would be a quadricycle, construction vehicle or mobile machinery. It will have a winch fitted.

I reckon at the very least it should fall in the same category as a ride on mower for speed and weight but be a winching platform or tug.

I will need to find my local DVLA vehicle registration office and approach them on that basis.


I assume then it will be a case of stamping on a VIN somewhere and then completing the appropriate forms so I can get a reg number, insurance and a £0 licence disc for being electric.

It will need a make and model name too I guess.

Some farm and building site vehicles are excempt from being registered for the road although they are allowed in some circumstances to use the highway. I reported a dumper truck with no plates for this(IE travlelling to and throw over 500 yards on a main road and round a busy roundabout) the police traffic officer stated that some unregistered vehicles are allowed to make a short journey on the public highway.
Worth a try! Ben

That one I know about, Ben, an I can't use it, tempting though it is. I sort of use that rule, loosely, to drive from my house to my neighbour's house 4 doors up on a cobbled unadopted road that I, and other house owners, have responsibility over.

The rule, or exclusions) basically allows for plant or equipment to move from one site to another, or from a loading/unloading point to the site, effectively using the shortest route.
It allows a mini digger to be unloaded on the road and driven onto the site or to drive to the other site across the road or round the corner where other transportation would be impractical. I think the Police have a sort of 'fair use' policy on that so they can apply discretion or nick someone who they feel is flouting the rules.
If I am not a contractor (or employed by one), not on a building site, not doing work, and have no public liability insurance I doubt I will see the police's favour.


Similarly a farm tractor or machinery can travel from one field to another if the fields are part of the same farm and the distance is less then a mile, IIRC.