The registration obligation for (agricultural) construction vehicles contributes to increasing road safety. “Safer on the road, more supervision of the technical condition of these vehicles and less theft”, explains Paul Broer, national project leader for Infrastructure at the police.

The increase in road safety starts with new vehicles. Tractors and towed equipment had already had to comply with European safety and sustainability regulations for some time. Similar rules now also apply to mobile machines, such as harvesters and other large machines used in construction, logistics, recreation, agriculture and horticulture. In addition, new (agricultural) construction vehicles must be registered and provided with a number plate since 1 January 2021. Paul Broer: "Partly because of this registration, the police can better check whether the vehicle meets all the rules." In addition, the mandatory registration ensures that the safety of Dutch vehicles is guaranteed. For example, when entering the register, the RDW can check whether each vehicle has been provided with a type approval or individual inspection. As a result, only safe vehicles enter the market.

Road safety

All tractor units, moving equipment (motor vehicles with limited speed or MMBS) that were taken into use before 1 January 2021, may only use the road from 1 January 2022 if they are registered. You can register online via www.rdw.nl/register. In addition to moving equipment, the MMBS category also includes re-tested cars and trucks. Retested cars can still be registered this year. These are passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles that can only drive at 25 km/h due to a technical intervention.

“Because these types of vehicles participate in traffic at a much lower speed, this can lead to unsafe situations. According to the new rules, no new re-examined vehicles can be added from 1 January.”

APK duty

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Tractors that can drive faster than 40 km/h are subject to an MOT from May 2021. Four years after the date of first admission, a fast tractor has to go for its first MOT. Monitoring the technical condition of these vehicles ensures safer vehicles. In addition, the registration obligation also makes it possible to increase the speed for vehicles that can drive faster.

“As crazy as that may sound, allowing these vehicles to drive faster will also contribute to increased road safety. Just think of dangerous situations that sometimes arise when overtaking a slow-moving vehicle. Because these vehicles are allowed to go faster, this will be the case less often. But at the same time, a higher speed also requires more alertness from the driver.”

Expected decrease in theft

The registration requirement also makes clear who the owner of the vehicle is. A tractor or MMBS no longer drives anonymously. Not only will the driver behave more neatly in traffic as a result, but there is always someone to be held liable in the event of damage or violations. In addition, the license plate provides insight into the requirements and conditions that the vehicle must meet via the RDW register, making it possible to check whether the vehicle has the correct registration number.

“The license plate will most likely reduce theft and recovery of these vehicles. In the past, many tractors were stolen. They were easy to sell because it was difficult to find out if they had been stolen. That's possible now. Tractors registered as stolen cannot be transferred into another owner's name.”

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The registration obligation for (agricultural) construction vehicles contributes to increasing road safety.
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