Farmers told to apply early for wide-vehicle document

Farmers and contractors are being advised to apply to Police Scotland at once for an agricultural dispensation for wide-vehicle movements

The advice comes from the farmers’ union which warns that Police Scotland’s abnormal loads team has been affected by changes in working patterns as a result of Covid-19.

The abnormal load dispensations, which avoid notifying police for every individual movement, are required if a vehicle and implement is over three metres in width and/or projects more than four metres.

Any vehicle which exceeds these dimensions or may exceed them with an implement attached should be included on the dispensation. The completed form should be emailed to: OSDAbnormal LoadsScotland@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Once acquired, a copy of the dispensation document should be carried in relevant vehicles.

The application is free of charge, and forms can be obtained from Police Scotland or, for members, from NFUS.

Its transport adviser, Jamie Smart, said: “It is recommended farmers requiring a dispensation or renewal apply in plenty of time preferably six weeks before it is required.”