Tractor road rules
Find out if you’re eligible to drive a tractor in Victoria.
When you can drive a tractor
| Licence type | Eligibility to drive a tractor |
|---|---|
| Car learner permit | You can drive a tractor of any size or a tractor that is towing a trailer of any size and the tractor is being used in connection with:
L plates are not required to be displayed. |
| Car licence | You can drive a tractor of any size or a tractor that is towing a trailer of any size. If you have a licence restricted to automatic transmission vehicles, this restriction does not apply when driving a tractor. Probationary licence holders are not required to display P plates. |
| Motorcycle learner permit, or motorcycle licence | Cannot drive a tractor. |
Interstate driver licence holders
If you hold an interstate car learner permit, or car driver licence, or 'tractor permit' you can drive a tractor in Victoria under the same restrictions as Victorian driver licence and learner permit holders, until you have lived in Victoria for 3 months. After this time you must apply for a Victorian car driver licence or car learner permit if you wish to continue to drive a tractor. See the Get your Ls page for more information.
Restrictions
- If you are using the tractor on a highway, normal traffic and vehicle regulations and requirements apply.
- If operating the tractor on private property closed to public access, a car learner permit or car driver licence is not required.
- Use of a tractor is restricted to the defined activities outlined in ‘Requirements to drive a tractor’ above.
Definition of a tractor
Under the Road Safety Act 1986 a tractor is defined as any motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles declared to be a tractor by Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette.
Other Victorian legislation defining a tractor includes the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007. This defines a tractor as 'a powered vehicle primarily designed to haul and provide power for agricultural or horticultural machinery or implements by way of a power take-off rotating shaft or other mechanical means, but does not include earthmoving machinery or a passenger vehicle'.