Category Minimum age Agricultural tractors F 16/17* Road rollers G 21** Tracked vehicles H 17/21*** Mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicle K 16 *If you’re 16 you can only drive tractors less than 2.45 metres wide and tow trailers less than 2.45 metres wide with 2 wheels, or 4 wheels close-coupled (close together). **If you’re between 17 and 20 these must be small road road-rollers with metal or hard rollers. They cannot be steam powered, weigh more than 11,960kg or be made for carrying loads. ***If you’re between 17 and 20 the Maximum Authorised Mass ( MAM ) of the vehicle cannot be more than 3,500kg. (Maximum Authorised Mass is the maximum weight of a vehicle including the maximum load that can be carried safely while used on the road.)

Practising driving a tractor or specialist vehicle

You can get a provisional licence for a tractor or specialist vehicle at 16, but you cannot practise driving them on the road until you’re 17. The only exception is when you’re driving to or from your practical driving test. You must be accompanied by a qualified driver if the vehicle was made with a passenger seat. Removing a seat is not allowed. Other rules for practising You need to display L plates (L or D plates in Wales) when you’re practising driving a tractor or specialist vehicle on public roads. Your vehicle must also be properly insured and roadworthy. Finding an instructor You might be able to use an approved driving instructor ( ADI ) if you’re learning to drive a vehicle with controls similar to a car and with 2 front seats. Your instructor may have to walk alongside you calling out advice if your vehicle does not have space for 2 people on board.

Driving tests for tractors and specialist vehicles

The type of driving test you have to do depends on the type of vehicle. Category F, G, H or K vehicles The examiner will give you instructions at the side of the road and watch how you: drive as you go around left and right circuits turn round using forward and reverse gears For very slow vehicles, like pedestrian-controlled vehicles, your examiner may walk near you where they can watch your driving. You’ll also have an eyesight test and at the end of the category F, G, H or K test, you’ll be asked 5 questions on the Highway Code and other motoring matters. You’ll then be asked to identify 6 different traffic signs. Category H tests In category H driving tests you need to drive the vehicle backwards and turn it around, using its tracks, so it’s facing the opposite direction. Your examiner will tell you how you should make this manoeuvre. Documents you need to bring to your test You must bring either: a valid, signed photocard driving licence from the UK or an EU country an old-style valid, signed UK paper driving licence along with a valid passport Cancelled tests You might be able to apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) cancels your test at short notice.

Rules for test vehicles

All test vehicles have to meet certain rules, depending on their category. Category B1 - quadricycles and light 4-wheeled vehicles You can only take a test on a category B1 vehicle if you’re registered as disabled. The vehicle must: weigh no more than 550kg unladen be able to drive at 37mph Category F - tractors Category F includes tractors with 2 or more axles, built for off-road agriculture or forestry work. During the test, tractors must not have front end loaders such as forks or other attachments. Category G - road rollers If you’re between 17 and 20, these must be small road rollers with metal or hard rollers. They cannot: be steam powered weigh more than 11,690kg be made for carrying loads Category H - tracked vehicles Category H vehicles must have adequate all-round visibility to let the driver carry out manoeuvres and deal with junctions safely. Any vehicle needing a second person to help with observation, such as a military vehicle, cannot be used for a category H test. Category K - mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles A mowing machine is a specialist ride-on grass-cutting vehicle with permanent cutting equipment. You must be 16 to use this type of vehicle. A pedestrian-controlled vehicle is where the operator walks with but doesn’t ride on the vehicle. You do not need a licence to operate one.

Learning to drive a tractor or specialist vehicle

Driving licence requirements

If you pass a regular car driving test (category B) you’ll get entitlement to drive:

agricultural tractors (category F)
mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles (category K)

For all other categories you need the correct full licence to drive the tractor or special vehicle on the road.

To get this you first need to get the right provisional driving licence entitlement and then pass a tractor or specialist vehicle driving test.

Exemptions

You do not need a licence to drive or operate:

a tractor or specialist vehicle off the public road (there are age limits)
pedestrian-controlled mowing machines (you must be at least 16)
electric bikes
mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs

You do need a driving licence to drive quad bikes on the road.

Road rollers and tracked vehicles

You need a full category B car licence with provisional entitlement for categories G and H to drive:

road rollers (category G)
tracked vehicles (category H)

Find out how to add higher categories to your driving licence.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Learning to drive a tractor or specialist vehicle

Driving licence requirements

Exemptions

Road rollers and tracked vehicles

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Learning to drive a tractor or specialist vehicle

Driving licence requirements

Exemptions

Road rollers and tracked vehicles

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