Type Approval for Tractors
European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) for tractors
On 1 July 2005, European Directive 2003/37/EC came into force and introduced the requirement for evidence of ECWVTA to be submitted with applications for the first registration and licensing of ‘new’ type tractors.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) tractor cab Certificate of Approval
The HSE tractor cab Certificate of Approval has been in force since the early 1970’s and all vehicles supplied for use in Great Britain have been required to meet strict health and safety standards in their production. The HSE issue a tractor cab Certificate of Approval for each ‘type’ or variant of vehicle manufactured unless it has ECWVTA.
No tractor should be sold or used without the vehicle ‘type’ having been issued with a tractor cab Certificate of Approval or ECWVTA. It is important to note the vehicles that are unable to comply cannot legally be used at work or on the public road.
New requirements for first registration and licensing
Although the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has not previously asked for evidence of approval, the introduction of the EC Directive provides an opportunity for DVLA and HSE to ensure that all tractors kept or used on the public road in Great Britain meet the health and safety requirements.
Therefore, in addition to the usual registration documentation DVLA local offices will now also require the following:
• for ‘new’ type tractors - an ECWVTA Certificate of Conformity (CoC) which is issued by the manufacturer
• for existing type tractors - an ECWVTA Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or a HSE tractor cab Certificate of Approval
Registration via DVLA’s secure forms schemes - AFRL, V55/1 and V55/2
Evidence that the vehicle has ECWVTA will be provided by:
• entry of the appropriate Type Approval number in box 10
• the CoC being retained by the manufacturer/importing dealer for a period of three years for auditing purposes by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
• where no Type Approval number is entered - a tractor safety cab Certificate of Approval must accompany the application at the DVLA local office
Further information
For further information on:
- HSE tractor cab Certificate of Approval - contact HSE on 024 7669 8350
- ECWVTA Certificate of Conformity - contact 01179 524 125
Page last updated: 21/06/2006