I'm confused - using a quad on the road.

[now_loves_mares]

I'm looking to buy a quad, but getting confused regarding the regulations. Basically I need to tke it about half a mile between my house and my field. It will need to be done in the dark, and the road outside my house gets a fair amount of rush hour traffic, so I'm keen to keep it legal.

But I can't quite understand the regulations. I've been told I can drive it under an "agricultural licence" but not really sure what that means. I presume it has to have a number plate. But what is the difference between "agricultural" and "road legal"

Please help my poor addled brain

 

[nicolaread]

it does have to have a number plate to be road legal and there r certain features it has to have to be deemed safe to use on the road but im not sure ir u can drive it on a normal car licence or not.

 

[now_loves_mares]

Hi

It's not the driving licence, it's the registration document or equivalent I'm confused about. I *think* that for it to be fully road legal it needs a V5 document, same as a car, but that's where it all gets a bit woolly!!

 

[nicolaread]

Yeah it must be registered, ie registration plate, same as any vehicle. but some bikes are "road legal" but others arent and ned to be modified to make them so.

 

[WandaMare]

Sounds like you should be fine with an agricultural licence, which allows you to drive between fields. it allows farmers to drive them around their farms even if they need to cross roads, go short distances down lanes etc.

You could just call an ATV retailer, I got mine from ARK ATVs, they have a good website for more information. If you did want to convert it to road legal I have been told its not very expensive to get it road registered

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

this is what you need to read...

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/cyclingandmotorcycling/agriculturalquadbikes

 

[1275gta]

The advantage of it being registered as agricultural is that it doesnt cost anything to tax it, you still have to get a disc though. These type of quads are normally phisically bigger and normally have racks front and back to take feed etc.

 

[Maesfen]

[ QUOTE ]
The advantage of it being registered as agricultural is that it doesnt cost anything to tax it, you still have to get a disc though. These type of quads are normally phisically bigger and normally have racks front and back to take feed etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Also, don't forget to have it insured if it goes on the road, same as any car and the electrics need to be up to spec, the police can pull you over same as any other vehicle too so if it's not correct they'll have you for sure.
The disadvantage of only having agricultural use is it won't cover you for anywhere else so say you wanted to take it to a friend that lived more than 3 mile away, unless you used a trailer for it, it wouldn't be legal or if you wanted to follow hounds on it as many are used for - and believe me, the police do check and it will be serious trouble if it's wrong! For what it costs, to us, it wasn't worth the hassle until ours got nicked and we've never replaced it as the next and the next would go the same way in spite of all the security we have!

If you have one, make sure your security is up to scratch and don't go gloating about in the pub that you have a quad else you won't for very long!

 

[CorvusCorax]

If you drive it on the road it needs tax and insurance.

And please be careful, I've been to three inquests for people coming off quads onto a road.

 

[westparc]

speak to a main dealer like honda my brother works for them he would say what you need