What does it mean?

Q registration means a vehicle of indeterminate age, the fact that it is registered (has a V5C) as an agricultural vehicle suggests that the previous owner has circumvented the correct registration process to get the vehicle exempt from road tax and MOT testing.

I am sure that there are restrictions regarding the use of agricultural vehicles, and if you were stopped by the police you would have a lot of explaining to do if you use it for anything other than agricultural use.

Can we assume this is not a tractor or similar?, and that you are not going to be using it for agricultural purposes?

A vehicle registered as Agricultural can only be used in connection with agriculture. This is often stretched to mean things like tree surgery and plant hire and it would take a test case to find out where the line is drawn. However you cannot use a Agricultural Vehicle to go to shows, or to the shops etc.

My biggest worry would be that an owner who is prepared to stretch (break) the law in this way is unlikely to be the type who is fastidious about maintenance and roadworthiness.

Some, if not all Agricultural Vehicles are entitled to use red diesel as they work off road, however again you couldn't do this in private use. Furthermore you would need to drain any red and thoroughly flush the fuel system to avoid problems if you got dipped.

The Q plate isn't a big problem. Up to the 90s the DVLA (or whatever they were called then) slapped a Q on anything that wasn't straightforward to date. Nowadays they insist on verification, leading to age related plates. As I understand it Q plates are now only issued to vehicles such as kit cars, where the age is impossible to define. It is possible to change a Q for an age related plate through the usual verification process.

Finally some insurance companies don't like Q plates because they imply there is some question mark over the vehicle's identity. However specialist insurers should be ok.

- MG

John is correct,there are lots of restrictions on vehicles taxed for agricultural use, they change quite frequently and never seem to be publicised by the authorities, the way farmers belatedly find out about them is usually via the farming press.

It seems to be up to the individual to use the relevant Gov't website to check the regulations but care is needed as the interpretation the individual puts on the reg's may not tally with the view of the police and ultimately the courts.

Incidentally what type of vehicle are we discussing?

In the good old days a long time ago, when a vehicle was first registered it received the next available number. Then someone thought it would be good to add a letter to the number that related to the year of registration. Then it was realised that people were registering vehicles that were not new (eg. ex MOD trucks) and passing them off as newer than they were so 'Q' plates were invented for any vehicle that was not new when registered. This went on for a while untill we were given the option to ask for an age related plate which of course required some evidence of the true age to be provided. At about the same time it became possible to recover an original registration if suitable evidence could be found to justify the application.

Most construction and use regulations relate to "date of first registration" rather than date of manufacture but this is not usualy too much of a problem to MV enthusiasts as most of us think that things like working brakes, tail lights and indicators are a good idea even if not fitted originaly to our vehicles.

The question of Agricultural registration is not a problem for tractors unless they are being used for non agricultural haulage commercialy (eg pulling a digger on a trailer between non agricultural jobs). If you want to drive a combine harvester or agricultural tractor on the road for fun it is agricultural because of what it is. The problem comes with things like Unimogs that are registered as agricultural purely because of their use. There are very clear regulations about what is agricultural use and it does not include historic vehicles that are constructed as trucks or even tanks attending rallies.

Good luck, David

so if you have got a grey fergie you have to tax it plg to take it to a show and buy a paper on the way:nut:

In that scenario you'd be better off with "Historic Vehicle", but you are right in that it couldn't be "Agricultural Vehicle".

In the good old days a long time ago, when a vehicle was first registered it received the next available number. Then someone thought it would be good to add a letter to the number that related to the year of registration. Then it was realised that people were registering vehicles that were not new (eg. ex MOD trucks) and passing them off as newer than they were so 'Q' plates were invented for any vehicle that was not new when registered. This went on for a while untill we were given the option to ask for an age related plate which of course required some evidence of the true age to be provided. At about the same time it became possible to recover an original registration if suitable evidence could be found to justify the application.

 

Most construction and use regulations relate to "date of first registration" rather than date of manufacture but this is not usualy too much of a problem to MV enthusiasts as most of us think that things like working brakes, tail lights and indicators are a good idea even if not fitted originaly to our vehicles.

 

The question of Agricultural registration is not a problem for tractors unless they are being used for non agricultural haulage commercialy (eg pulling a digger on a trailer between non agricultural jobs). If you want to drive a combine harvester or agricultural tractor on the road for fun it is agricultural because of what it is. The problem comes with things like Unimogs that are registered as agricultural purely because of their use. There are very clear regulations about what is agricultural use and it does not include historic vehicles that are constructed as trucks or even tanks attending rallies.

 

Good luck, David

From my experience - not so ,,

At the time of first appearance of 'Q' plates . Providing you had the MOD "Release Notes" then at first registration you received the appropriate Reg. under the original system or a age related (IIRC the 'Q' started at the transition in system).

However - when 'Q' first appeared , to many it was quite trendy , had a bit of cache about it , it was new - different.

So lots of people , having the correct documentation actually requested a 'Q' plate , sometimes the person behind the counter at the DVLA office would ask you what your preference was !

Thanks for the replies.

Still looking for that thing out there that fits my pocket and space available.

Thought I had it nailed last week but just that bit too big.

so if you have got a grey fergie you have to tax it plg to take it to a show and buy a paper on the way:nut:

In that scenario you'd be better off with "Historic Vehicle", but you are right in that it couldn't be "Agricultural Vehicle".

Correct as neither of those are agricultural activities. Same way you can drive a tractor on the road at 16 but only for agriculture, so no taking a girlfriend to the cinema in it or going to Tescos.

- MG

Taking a girl to the Cinema in your most pimped out Tractor is a guaranteed winner where I come from.