Lighting and visibility laws for agricultural vehicles

These machines must be equipped with full lighting systems i.e., side lamps, head lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, direction indicators, amber beacons, and number plate lighting at all times and not just during lighting up hours. For further details download and read our Revised Standards for Agricultural Vehicles

Agricultural trailers and interchangeable towed equipment must be equipped with side lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, indicators, and number plate lighting. They must also be fitted with a marker lamp on their right-hand side if, when coupled to an agricultural tractor, the overall length of the combination is more than 10 m.

Agricultural trailers with a DGVW over 3,500 kg must also be fitted with reflective rear markings. If these trailers form part of a combination of vehicles that is over 10 m. long, they must also have reflective side markings.

A rear ‘LONG VEHICLE’ marking must be fitted to a combination of vehicles over 13 m. long.

The reflective and ‘LONG VEHICLE’ marking requirements do not apply to pieces of interchangeable towed equipment that can carry more than three times their own unladen weight, e.g., slurry tankers, fertiliser or manure spreaders, grain chaser bins, etc.

Yes. Vintage tractors or machinery, i.e., manufactured or first registered 30 years ago are exempt from having to be equipped with a full lighting system, e.g., side lamps, head lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, direction indicators and number plate lighting provided they are being used during daylight hours only. This also applies to the trailers being towed by them.

Daylight hours means any time outside ‘lighting-up’ hours. 'Lighting up’ hours is a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise the next day.

Yes. Since 01 January 2016, all tractors are required to be fitted with a flashing amber beacon and have it switched on when in use. Vintage vehicles do not require beacons if they are only taking part in vintage rallies or being used for display purposes.

No. You must keep the lighting and reflectors fitted to your existing vehicles well maintained in a clean and efficient condition so they can be used at any time.

Yes. However, such equipment will only need lights if when attached to a tractor or self-propelled agricultural machine it blocks the lighting and reflectors fitted to the front or rear of the tractor or self-propelled agricultural machine itself.

Yes, unless they are vintage.

Yes.

You should contact the original manufacturer or authorised Irish distributor. If the original manufacturer is no longer in business, you could contact an alternative manufacturer of similar equipment. They may be able to examine the vehicle and advise what work is required if any to achieve compliance.