Gardaí in Co. Westmeath came across a tractor that was being driven by a 14-year-old with a 13-year-old passenger.
Westmeath Gardaí also confirmed that the tractor that the two children were in had not been taxed in just short of 11 years.
The photo depicted a land roller that was attached to the back of what appears to be a New Holland tractor.
This incident was highlighted on social media by An Garda Síochána Westmeath, reminding the public that you must be 16 years of age or above and licensed to drive a tractor.
Motor vehicles in Ireland are divided into different categories for driver licensing purposes. This is a standard practice throughout the European Union.
Before you can apply for a licence to drive a vehicle in Ireland, you must be a certain age.
Certain categories may be added automatically to your licence and you do not need to do another test.
For example, if you have a licence to drive a car, you can automatically drive a tractor.
The categories and driver’s minimum age for cars and work vehicles are as follows:
Category Vehicle type Minimum age of driver B Vehicles (other than motorcycles, mopeds, work vehicles or land tractors) with seats for a maximum of 8 passengers and a maximum weight of 3,500kg (can tow a trailer where the maximum weight of the trailer when fully loaded is 750kg or less) or where the combined MAM1 of the towing vehicle and the trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg. Quadricycles (other than those covered by AM) are also covered by this category. 17 years W Work vehicles and land tractor with or without a trailer. 16 years
The categories and minimum age of the driver that apply when pulling a trailer with a maximum weight greater than 750kg when fully loaded, are:
Category Vehicle type Minimum age of driver BE Combination of drawing vehicles in category B and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg. 17 years C1E Combination of drawing vehicles in category C1 and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg and where the MAM1 of the drawing vehicle and trailer combined does not exceed 12,000 kg.Combination of drawing vehicles in category B with trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 3,500 kg and where the MAM1 of the drawing vehicle and trailer combined does not exceed 12,000 kg. 18 years(You must hold a full C1 licence before taking out a C1E permit) CE Combination of drawing vehicles in category C and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg. 21 years (18 years with a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence)(You must hold a full C licence before taking out a CE permit) D1E Combination of drawing vehicles in category D1 and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg. 21 years(You must hold a full D1 licence before taking out a D1E permit) DE Combination of drawing vehicles in category D and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg. 24 years (21 years with a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence)(You must hold a full D licence before taking out a DE permit)
The categories of vehicles you are allowed to drive and use are listed on your licence. It is a serious offence to drive any vehicle for which you do not have a licence.
You are only allowed to drive the category of vehicle for which your licence or permit has been issued.
If you want another category added, you may have to complete the application process and a test. Your current licence must be in date if you want another category added to your licence.