Q / am a farmer and as such can haul
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produce and livestock to markets for neighbouring farmers within the terms of my C licence. Will! be able to do this for hire and reward when the Transport Bill becomes law? What about my F licence?
AIf your vehicle is under 30cwt unladen
weight, then under the provisions of the Bill you will be able to carry for hire and reward without licence. Your vehicle will be subject to the same annual test as a private car and also to Ministry spot checks. If your vehicle is between 30cwt unladen (approximating to 3.5ton gross) and 16-ton gross, you will be able to carry generally for hire and reward subject to a system of quality licensing.
To obtain a quality licence you will have to satisfy the LA as to your past record and as to your ability to provide proper maintenance and driver control. You will have to provide detads of financial resources and ultimately will have to hold a transport manager's licence.
As for F licences, "farmers' goods vehicles" will continue to require registration under the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1962 in the normal manner. A farmer's goods vehicle is a vehicle used on public roads solely by a person engaged in agriculture "for the purpose of the conveyance of the product of, or of articles required for the purposes of, the agricultural land which he occupies and for no other purposes". The Vehicles (Excise) Act 1962 deals purely with road fund licensing, certain farm vehicles as defined above enjoying reduced rates of taxation.