Reminder over wide vehicle licence

Farmers have been reminded to apply to Police Scotland for a special licence to take wide vehicles on the roads ahead of harvest.

NFU Scotland (NFUS) has issued a reminder to producers about a special dispensation scheme run with the police.

Farmers are required to notify the police if a vehicle, or implement, is over 3m in width and/or projects more than 4m, and is travelling more than five miles, or travelling on any road with a speed limit of less than 40mph.

Under the dispensation, farmers can apply for one licence to do this throughout harvest rather than having to notify police before each movement.

Farmers or contractors wishing to use the scheme can get an application form from Police Scotland or NFUS.

Completed forms should be emailed to OSDAbormalLoadsScotland@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Once an application has been approved, a dispensation letter, covering a full year, is issued by the police.

Farmers wishing to make a one-off movement with a wide vehicle can apply to Police Scotland, providing at least 48 hours’ notice of the intended movement.

They are advised to take public holidays and weekends into consideration when applying for one-off movements as they may delay applications.

NFUS legal and technical committee chairman Jamie Smart said: “We once again thank Police Scotland for their continued support of this scheme.”

Drivers of wide vehicles are required to notify the police.