Hi All This teaser that has been put to me. We are using a quad bike whilst working on our clients site, plenty of other people around, public, contractors etc. We have been told that no licence is required as it is being driven on private property. Is this correct? It is my understanding that a car licence is needed to drive this on the public highway, along with insurance, tax, mot, number plates etc. Any help you can offer me would be greatfully received. Thanks DHM

I would be fairly certain it would be a car licence to operate it on a public road, but with reference to the original post, good practice would dictate the operators should have received some form of formal ATV training as you would expect with any other work vehicle eg FLT. Look at land based industries for guidance ie gamekeeping, agriculture.

Bob, If it's provided for use at work, surely it falls under PUWER?

There is a little voice niggling away in the back of my mind that says that some motoring requirements are applicable on private land where there is public access. For instance the car park at your local supermarket is probably private land, but I am not convinced that you could drive on that without a licence. Happy to be wrong though. Similarly certain offences that people assume are only applicable to public roads, such a drink driving, may well be enforceable on private, but publicly accessible land. Not sure how relevant this is to the original post though. Just food for thought maybe.

Check this out DHM; http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag701.pdf Regards Stuart

I must remember to use the spell checker...!! "I'd suggest that a "road licence" (of the apprirtae type) would privde proof of competence to drive the vehicle." Should have read I'd suggest that a "road licence" (of the appropriate type) would provide proof of competence to drive the vehicle

Just to clarify the point Phil and others have made. A licence will be required if the land is designated as a road or public place. A public place is defined as an area to which the general public are permitted access (so car parks, fields used for car boot sales while so being used etc). If it is truly private land with no access for the general public then you can do pretty much what you like as far as the Road Traffic Act is concerned. The type of licence required for use on a road or public place is determined by the kerb weight, together with the width between the wheels, can't remember if the reverse gear issue mentioned is correct or not but may well be an additional factor. However, as was also mentioned it does come under PUWER and therefore there is the general requirement to ensure it is safe and suitable and that the operator is competent. IMHO simply having a car or motorcycle licence does not necessarily make someone competent to operate on off these things off road. I've been involved with 2 serious accidents involving these machines, 1st was a trained competent rider who just got it wrong, rolled the quad and it landed on top of him. It was on a remote section of landfill and rescue was not quick or easy, he was lucky, no major harm done. 2nd was a trespasser in a quarry flipped it backwards and broke his neck, game over for him. They're excellent work tools but like so many things need to be respected and treated properly.

forgot to add, A recent fatality in a quarry caused by the overturn of a landrover caused the HSE to make the comment that holding a uk car licence does not make someone competent to drive an off road vehicle in an off road situation, as a result we have engaged one of our external training providers to deliver a tailored course which is being accredited through our awarding body along with a competence assessment.