From 2018
Exemption policy becomes farmer-friendly
In 2018, the exemption policy for agricultural traffic will be overhauled. If it is up to the RDW, the application and options will become more farmer-friendly. Municipalities have a big finger in the pie. That can cause some headaches.
On Thursday 7 September, the RDW started the 'Together on the road' campaign with them in Dronten. This campaign is aimed at informing road authorities about the new exemption policy for agricultural traffic. This policy is likely to come into effect in mid-2018.
Note: probably, because the bullet is not through the church yet. The plans presented are conceptual. At the Aeres Praktijkcentrum, mainly municipal employees were informed about agricultural traffic, what the bottlenecks are and what the policy will look like.
65
procent
24 licenses for 1 machine
One of the biggest bottlenecks at the moment is fragmentation. "To be allowed to drive a 3,5 meter wide machine throughout North Brabant, you have to apply for an exemption from 24 different authorities," says motorcycle police officer Erik Bouman. He is a specialist in agricultural traffic in this province. "At the moment, 65% of the municipalities have mandated the RDW to issue an exemption. This is not yet the case for 35%." The exemptions differ enormously in terms of requirements. Bouman encounters the craziest things in practice. It is high time for one counter with the same rules.
Legislation remains in force
If it is up to the RDW, the exemption policy will be divided into 3 parts. The conceptual versions showed it in Dronten. The current legal maximum masses remain in effect. This means that a single axle can carry a maximum of 10 tons, a self-propelled axle (MMBS) 12 tons and a pendulum axle 13 tons. There is no category of rubber caterpillar in the legislation. Maximum authorized mass is 50 tons. An exemption is never granted for machines higher than 4 meters.
Exemption 1
The first exemption applies to an agricultural or forestry tractor with a mounted or trailed machine. The width, excluding cargo, remains a maximum of 3,5 meters. Above 3 meters an exemption must be requested. This is valid for 1 year and is issued at the company, because a vehicle registration is not available until the arrival of license plates. The vehicle is not registered with the application.
Exemption 2
Exemption 2 applies to tractors or self-propelled vehicles (MMBS). Optionally with a trailer, such as a header. This incidental exemption is valid for a maximum of 12 months for a maximum of 5 routes. For a contractor, this means a lot of registration work, because 5 routes are limited. The maximum width remains 3,5 meters. The length for a single vehicle is 20 meters, or 22 meters for a combination. Full registration with technical information about the vehicle is required. The waiver is issued on the basis of the serial number.
This exemption already has immediate limitations. Self-build machines do not have a vehicle number and a little combine harvester, for which this exemption was also devised, often measures more than 3,5 meters outside. Otherwise the current policy would have been sufficient.
Exemption 3
The third exemption, completely new, is where road authorities present generated the most protest. This paper is also occasionally issued for a maximum of one year and is also valid on 5 routes. The maximum permitted width is 4,25 meters. The length is 20 meters.
Full registration is required, as is guidance. The RDW itself sees a situation in which an employee, farmer/contractor or farmer's son follows a shortened course to be allowed to supervise tools. A minimum of 1 escort vehicle is required for road transport. Belgium already works with such a system.
A course to become a convoi exceptional counselor is tough. Road authorities present therefore grumbled a lot about this idea. They don't allow 3-axle beet harvesters and machines above 3,5 meters, it sounds like a whole lot. The theory is very much in line with practice there. The RDW estimates that it will grant 2.000 of these exemptions per year.
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New is an exemption for machines between 3,5 and 4,25 meters for self-propelled (harvesting) machines. At least 1 escort vehicle is required for this.
Draw routes
The RDW will issue all exemptions centrally, in consultation with road authorities. This makes it much easier for applicants. In the case of the second and third exemption, the manager is always consulted. They can shorten the duration, set additional requirements or reject the application. They are obliged to register permitted routes on the Digital Road Map Exemptions (DWO). Farmers and contractors can view this map to know where they can and cannot go. The RDW advocates drawing up 'corridors' through villages and towns when a bypass is not available for agricultural traffic.
30
euro
Potentially high costs
The costs will soon be approximately €30 per exemption per manager for a period of 1 year. A customized exemption costs € 100, depending on the number of routes. Drawing up a new exemption policy is largely related to the introduction of a tractor license plate. It was thrown in the trash in December 2016, but is now back on the table.
This will be discussed again in early October. A license plate is especially important for linking an exemption to 1 vehicle. The RDW currently grants 17.000 exemptions per year.
Niels van der Boom
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