The number of tractor categories is finally being reduced

Joy and satisfaction! After many years of our work, the number of tractor categories is finally being reduced!

On Thursday, April 12, the Saeima approved amendments to the Road Traffic Law, which provide for a reduction in the number of categories of tractor driver categories. and provides for the exemption of all tractor equipment from the first state technical inspection for 24 months, if at the time of registration the duration of the engine operation of the equipment does not exceed 250 engine hours. After many years of work by the representatives of the Farmers' Assembly, Mareks Bērziņš and Mārtiņš Trons, the number of tractor equipment categories is finally being reduced, the resolution of the issues has taken at least 4 years and countless working groups and meetings, including discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, VTUA and driving schools! We would also like to thank Artūrs Bukontas, a representative of the Independent Foresters' Association, and Gintas Cirvels, a representative of the Road Builders' Association, for their support.

The changes to the law combine several tractor categories into one category, thus reducing the current number of tractor categories to four tractor categories. Along with the changes in the grouping of tractor categories, it is also planned to change the names of tractor categories, replacing the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H with the abbreviations TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4. Thus, the category names will not overlap with driver categories in Latvia and the European Union.

The categories of tractor drivers are grouped according to the specification of the tractor and its main use as follows:

– TR1 — tractors, agricultural self-propelled vehicles, municipal vehicles, universal self-propelled vehicles, excavators, loaders and special self-propelled vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7,500 kilograms,

– TR2 — all tractors, agricultural self-propelled machines, municipal machines, universal self-propelled machines, bulldozers, excavators, loaders and special self-propelled machines,

– TR3 — forestry machines, excavators, loaders and special self-propelled machines,

– TR4 — road construction machines, bulldozers, excavators, loaders and special self-propelled machines.

From now on, the distribution of tractor weights will remain the same as before: TR1 tractor category and tractor driver's licenses can be obtained from the age of 16 for tractors with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7,500 kg, and from the age of 17 for other tractors. By changing the tractor driver's license and obtaining the new category without taking additional exams, the tractor group of the category will expand, so the person will be entitled to drive a wider range of tractors.

The current categories C and H (excavators, self-propelled loaders and specialized self-propelled machines) will be included in all categories, as the use of this equipment is very important in all sectors. Category D (agricultural self-propelled machines) will be included in categories TR1 and TR2, as tractors and agricultural self-propelled machines are used mainly by representatives of one sector - farmers, while category E will be included in category TR4, as they are road construction machines.