High cost of that phone call

A reminder has been issued to farmers that mobile phones must only be used with a suitable hands free kit when driving all vehicles – including tractors – on public roads.

Jamie Smart, chair of NF US cotland’s legal and technical committee and the union’s vehicle specialist, said that the use of mobile phones by tractor drivers had raised the most complaints from the general public – and he added police were now taking a hard line on the issue.

“Drivers caught using their phone will receive sixpenalty points and a £200 fine,” said Smart. He added: “New drivers – those within two years of passing their test– automatically lose their licence if they gain six penalty points and have to re-sit their driving test before getting it back – an expensive phone call!”

Smart was speaking ahead of a series of workshops to be held around the country together with Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Police Scotland focusing on the huge range of regulations and legislation surrounding the use of farm machines on public roads, which covers eve - rything from licences and permits to vehicle widths and length as well as questions of fuel duties.

The first workshops will be held at St Boswells on Friday 17 May and a second will take place in Cupar, Fife, on Thursday 30 May.