Scottish farmers are being reminded to apply for an agricultural dispensation for wide vehicle movements from Police Scotland.
Police notification is required if a vehicle, or implement, is over 3m in width and/or projects more than 4m, for example a plough, and is travelling more than five miles, or travelling on any road with a speed limit of less than 40mph.
In 2015, farming union NFU Scotland agreed with Police Scotland that the scheme would mean that members with wide vehicles can apply for the dispensation to avoid having to notify police for each individual movement.
A dispensation letter covers a full year and will mean individual notifications are not required unless the width on the original application form is exceeded.
Jamie Smart, Legal and Technical Committee Chairman, who runs NFU Scotland’s agricultural transport and vehicle helpline, commented: “The Union has worked hard to put this in place for farmers and crofters over the last two years, and it is of benefit to save those carrying out wide vehicle movements time and effort in applying for a dispensation.
“The dispensation document should be carried in vehicles pertaining to it, and produced in the event that the vehicle is stopped by Police Scotland.”
Farmers or contractors wanting to use this scheme can obtain an application form from Police Scotland.
