To operate the equipment, you must undergo training and obtain a permit. To operate special equipment, the certificate confirming admission must be special. The most common question regarding such certificates is the license for a tractor, and since you are reading this article, you understand that by “tractor” we mean not only agricultural machinery, but also a host of other self-propelled devices needed in any large enterprise. This means that you need to talk in every detail about the tractor driver’s license and how to legally obtain it.
Do you need a tractor license?
Let us immediately clarify that “tractor license” is a common, but unofficial designation of a tractor driver’s license , which is necessary to operate special self-propelled equipment, the types of which do not fall under the categories of a regular driver’s license, and are designated separately in the relevant legislation.
In addition to the fact that the wording clearly implies a positive answer to the question about the need for rights to a tractor, two more fundamental points become clear:
- Despite the fact that we will further see some relationship between a driver’s license and a tractor driver’s license, these are two different documents , and one of them cannot replace the other.
- Tractor driver's rights, in turn, are divided into a number of categories, each of which has its own possibilities and methods of obtaining (see below).
The second point sometimes causes confusion among completely unprepared citizens due to the similarity in the designation of these categories. A tractor driver's license also has categories A, B, C, D, but they do not correlate in any way with similar designations on a regular driver's license.
What category of license is needed for a tractor? Decoding
The categories of a tractor driver's license are clearly defined by law and are indicated, including explanations, on the license itself.
| Category | Explanations |
| AI | Vehicles not intended for travel on public roads, or whose speed is not higher than 50 km/h: snowmobiles, snow and swamp-going vehicles, all-terrain vehicles . |
| AII | Off-road vehicles with a permissible weight of up to 3.5 tons and a number of passenger seats up to 8 inclusive, but excluding the driver’s seat: mining dump trucks, special all-terrain vehicles . |
| AIII | Similar to categories AII, but with a permissible weight of over 3.5 tons, with the exception of those separately designated in category AIV. |
| AIV | Off-road vehicles for transporting passengers (more than 8 passenger seats): platform and rotation buses . |
| B | Wheeled and tracked vehicles with power up to 25.7 kW: municipal vehicles, tractors, mini-excavators / mini-tractors . |
| C | Wheeled vehicles with power from 25.7 to 110.3 kW: backhoe loaders, tractors . |
| D | Similar to category C, but with an engine more powerful than 110.3 kW: tractors, including pneumatic wheels . |
| E | Tracked vehicles with a power of more than 25.7 kW: excavators, bulldozers . |
| F | Agricultural self-propelled machinery. |
Another difficulty lies in the fact that some types of special equipment may require not just one category of tractor driver’s license, but several at once. For example, tractors with various types of attachments may require a “BCDE” license to operate them. This is, for example, what an infographic from one of the enterprises looks like, indicating the need for employees and the required categories of their rights:
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Another difficulty is that some types of vehicles with certain parameters may require a tractor driver’s license, while those similar to them, but having different parameters, require ordinary rights. A striking example is ATVs. Having a design speed of up to 50 km/h is an A1 tractor driver's license, and over 50 km/h is a regular driver's license of category B1.
Categories of driver's licenses for tractors and special equipment
In the recent past, tractor drivers’ licenses included categories A, B, C, D, D, but now they are A, B, C, D, E, F, as well as A1, A2, A3, A4.
Each of the categories (subcategories) indicated in the certificate allows you to drive tractors or special equipment.
These are agricultural machinery (SHT) and self-propelled vehicles (SM) with certain power indicators (from 27.5 to 110 kW or more).
Detailed transcript
Let's look at all existing categories (subcategories) with explanations:
| Category "A" | Automobiles and motorcycles not intended for driving on ordinary roads or capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h |
| Subcategory A1 | Off-road motor vehicles. This subcategory includes: all-terrain vehicles (snowmobiles, swamp vehicles, snow and swamp vehicles) |
| Subcategory A2 | Off-road vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 tons and the number of seats (including driver) no more than 8. This subcategory includes all-terrain vehicles |
| Subcategory A3 | Off-road vehicles with a permissible maximum weight exceeding 3.5 tons. This category includes special purpose all-terrain vehicles, mining dump trucks |
| Subcategory A4 | Off-road vehicles intended for passenger transportation, having more than 8 (including the driver) seats. Platform and rotational buses fit this category |
| Category "B" | Tracked and wheeled vehicles with an engine power of less than 27.5 kW. This category includes mini-excavator tractors, municipal cleaning machines |
| Category "C" | Wheeled SMs with engines with power from 27.5 to 110.3 kW. This category includes tractors, backhoe loaders |
| Category "D" | Wheeled vehicles with engines with a power of more than 110.3 kW - pneumatic wheel cranes, tractors |
| Category "E" | Tracked vehicles with engines over 27.5 kW: bulldozers, excavators |
| Category "F" | Self-propelled agricultural machinery: grain harvesting equipment, etc. |
Clarification - having a tractor driver's license of category A2 does not give its holder the right to drive a vehicle of category A4 and vice versa.
How to find out which one you need
To obtain a tractor driver's license, you must complete the appropriate training course for a specific category (subcategory).
This is determined by the type of equipment owned by the enterprise. You should know that in addition to the category (subcategory), the tractor driver’s license also indicates a rank.
The bit depth is determined by the Gostekhnadzor inspector who takes the exams. Let's look at how ranks are assigned:
| 2 | For those who have the right to drive a vehicle under the supervision of an experienced mentor, repair loading and self-gripping mechanisms and devices |
| 3 | For those who have the right to operate a battery-powered forklift, other self-gripping mechanisms, load, stack cargo, repair and maintain tractor mechanisms |
| 4 | For drivers who have received permission to operate forklifts with a power of less than 100 hp. pp., and on other mechanisms that are used for transferring and storing goods |
| 5 | For tractor drivers who have received the right to drive a tractor with a power of over 100 hp. With. or less if it is used as a scraper, excavator, bulldozer |
| 6 | For drivers who have the right to drive tractors with a power of 200 hp. With. in cases of their bulldozer or excavator use |
Tips for studying and passing exams
To receive training services and pass qualifying exams, the candidate submits an application to the territorial body of Gostekhnadzor with the following attachment:
- passports;
- medical certificates;
- document on completed training;
- tractor license (if issued previously);
- driver's license (if you have one);
- photographs on matte paper (3x4).
Admission, training and conducting certification exams that grant the right to manage a private vehicle are carried out by specialized and accredited training centers and schools located in the regions where students live.
Tractor licenses cannot be obtained in another, even neighboring region. Depending on the category, most training courses last about one and a half months.
The training programs of schools and centers are approved by the Ministry of Education and the State Technical Supervision Authority. Training courses involve theoretical and practical stages.
The theoretical stage involves studying the design of the ST, the rules for working with various loads.
If students do not have a regular driver's license, traffic rules are also included in the program. Theoretical knowledge is tested in the form of an exam.
The practical stage of training is carried out at training grounds and involves training in driving, maneuvering vehicles and handling loads in real conditions (on dirt and asphalt surfaces).
Lack of practical skills and a minimum number of hours worked at the training ground can lead to unsatisfactory results in the exam.
Certification exams are also carried out in stages. First, theoretical - on the computer or orally.
Successful completion of the theoretical stage is admission to the practical exam.
A practical exam allows the examiner to determine the student’s ability to operate a vehicle in different conditions - created stationary (at a training ground or tractor track) and at a real object.
The examiner is a Gostekhnadzor inspector who has the right to make a decision:
- “Admitted to managing the SM”;
- “Not allowed to manage the SM.”
In cases where a cadet does not pass one of the stages of the exam, at least a week later he is given the right to take it again.
Video: we pass practice for tractor driver licenses of categories B, C, D, E, F
A total of three attempts are given. If the third one fails, the student is sent back to training.
Separately, it is worth noting that persons of a certain age have the right to take exams allowing to manage a SM:
| On SM category. "A1" | From 16 years old |
| On SM category. B, C, E, F | From 17 years old |
| On SM category. D | From 18 years old |
| On SM category. A2, A3 | From 19 years old |
| On SM category. A4 | From 22 years old |
We also note that after the withdrawal of a tractor driver’s license, their issuance is possible only after passing a theoretical exam.
If the seizure was made on the basis of the tractor driver’s condition (it was established that he was intoxicated), then in order to be allowed to take the exams, a medical certificate must be submitted to Gostekhnadzor.
But only after half the period of deprivation of a tractor license has expired, not earlier.
What do they look like?
This form is in effect today:
Please note that after filling out the form and the owner’s signature in the column provided for this, the document indicated on the sample is folded in the middle along the vertical axis, so that its left side becomes the front side of the document, and the right side, respectively, the back side. Next, the tractor driver's license is laminated.
The “Special Marks” section on the back of the driver’s tractor driver’s license is very important. There are additional parameters for access to operating special equipment that do not clearly follow from the specified categories. For example:
In this case, the marks can be either explanatory to confirm additional qualities of the driver, but optional, or required by law. For example, if there is a category C, “excavator operator C” and/or “forklift driver C” must be indicated.
Requirement to have a driving license to obtain a tractor driver's license
Of the listed categories of tractor driver licenses, there are three, training for which is also mandatory, but it must be preceded by obtaining a regular driver’s license:
- For category A2 – VU category B.
- For category A3 – UL category C.
- A Category A4 tractor driver's license must be preceded by obtaining a regular D-category license.
Obtaining a tractor driver's license without first obtaining the specified driver's license, as well as obtaining one in the event of deprivation of a license, is illegal .
Where to get a tractor driver's license
To obtain a tractor driver's license, you must contact Gostekhnadzor (GTN). Previously, it was allowed to take courses at any driving school, and at Gostekhnadzor only to pass exams to obtain a license, but since 2015, only this structure has been providing training in driving self-propelled vehicles.
Currently, training in a driving school is allowed only for applicants for categories A1 and B. To obtain a tractor driver’s license, you only need to pass tests at Gostekhnadzor.
Where do you get a tractor license?
Gostekhnadzor is responsible for issuing tractor driver licenses and, accordingly, testing knowledge . Unlike a driver’s license, the traffic police / traffic police have nothing to do with this process.
The training process can be delegated to individual educational institutions, however, representatives of Gostekhnadzor are involved in verification (taking exams) and issuing rights, and certificates issued without the participation of this organization are considered falsified.
The organizations Gostekhnadzor and Rostekhnadzor should not be confused. These are different departments, and only the first of them is responsible for issuing tractor driver’s licenses.
How to get a tractor driver's license?
Let's consider the procedure in the rules common to all regions of Russia, however, understanding that a specific subject may have its own nuances. The sequence of steps may also vary depending on specific circumstances.
Step 1. Collecting documents
In addition to documents proving the identity of the future tractor driver, as well as a driver’s license, if required by law (see above), you will need:
- Medical certificate issued no more than a year ago, which must contain notes about examination by a therapist, otorhinolaryngologist, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist, psychiatrist-narcologist, neurologist (in a separate referral) and a surgeon (also in a separate referral). The certificate must summarize the person’s medical clearance to work in the selected category (the list of diseases for which a tractor driver’s license is not issued is determined by the government).
- Photo . A current photograph of 3x4 size, which can be provided later, in case of successful passing of the exams.
At the next step, the Gostekhnadzor department at the place of registration will be selected, however, the place of training has exceptions. In this case, documentary evidence of the right to such exceptions is provided.
Step 2. Selecting a Gostekhnadzor branch
Training and passing exams must be carried out at the place of registration of the citizen. Gostekhnadzor departments can have not only regional, but also local gradation.
In order not to fill the article with a ton of addresses, we have collected them into one pdf file, in which the applicant needs to find his department. Please note that each region has a website at the top of the page - each region has its own website. Go to this address to clarify all regional nuances.
reference_gtn_rf
In some cases, it is possible to take exams not at the place of registration, but at the actual place of residence. This is often associated with certain regional programs. It is necessary to clarify the circumstances on the websites of specific regions, and, as indicated above, the possibility of such exceptions may need to be documented.
The selected department will still be needed to take the exams, but the essence of this step is to find out the regional features of the procedure.
Step 3. Training to become a tractor driver
Educational institutions that have the right to conduct such activities are licensed . Their lists are also published by regional authorities (for example, Moscow posts them here). There is no point in studying in unlicensed schools - the certificate of completion will not be accepted by Gostekhnadzor.
The above package of documents, as well as an application, is provided to the educational institution. The cost of training is individual (using the example of Moscow, prices range from 6,000 to 11,000 rubles depending on the category and school).
The duration of training depends on the category of rights, and on average ranges from 86 to 180 training hours, of which about 80 hours are practical classes. Based on the results of the training, a document confirming the completed course is issued.
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Completing the course and receiving this document is not the same as obtaining a tractor driver’s license. Next, you will need to pass exams at Gostekhnadzor.
Step 4. Payment of state fees
The amount of the duty is determined by Article 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and is 500 rubles . Payment methods may also have regional specifics, including transfer fees.
Step 5. Passing the exam at Gostekhnadzor
You must register in advance to take the exams. Sometimes educational institutions have agreements with local branches of Gostekhnadzor, and exams are held centrally for all graduates.
For exams, you need to once again collect the entire package of documents (this time including those recently received):
- passport;
- VU, if required;
- photo;
- information about completion of training;
- receipt of payment of the duty;
- medical certificate;
- You may need: confirmation of registration or a document providing the basis for taking exams at your place of actual residence.
The exam is carried out in two stages - theory and practice. The theory is tested using special tickets approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. We have these tickets at our disposal, which we give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with.
tickety_traktor
Upon passing the theory, admission to the practical part is granted. Please note that the validity of the certificate of admission (passing the theoretical part) is only three months . During this period, you must begin the practical exam.
The practical examination must be carried out in two stages:
- At a special tractor track.
- On terrain as close as possible to the conditions of future operation of the equipment.
If the result of both parts of the exams is positive, the future tractor driver is given a day to obtain a license.
Step 6. Obtaining rights and certificate
The most pleasant thing remains - to come at the specified time and place, and pick up the finished tractor driver’s license.
Along with the tractor license an individual card , as well as a medical certificate and a document on completion of training will be returned. These documents must be stored , because... they will be needed to replace the license after 10 years. This, of course, does not apply to a medical certificate.
Obtaining a tractor driver's license
List of documents required to obtain a tractor driver's license
15. A person who wishes to pass exams for the right to drive self-propelled vehicles of the corresponding category (hereinafter referred to as the candidate) submits to the state technical supervision authorities:
- statement;
- passport or other identity document;
- medical certificate;
- document confirming completion of training (except for persons who prepared independently);
- a tractor operator's (tractor operator) certificate or another type of certificate for the right to drive self-propelled machines, if it was previously issued;
- photographs, with the exception of cases of automated production of certificates in state technical supervision bodies;
- documents on payment of fees charged by state technical supervision bodies for taking exams for the right to drive self-propelled machines, issuing (replacing) tractor driver (tractor driver) certificates and temporary permits for them, as well as payment of expenses associated with the acquisition, transportation and storage of special products.
If a candidate is forced to refuse to take the exams due to unforeseen circumstances, the deposited money must be returned in accordance with the established procedure.
15. A person who wishes to pass exams for the right to drive self-propelled vehicles of the corresponding category (hereinafter referred to as the candidate) submits to the state technical supervision authorities:
- statement;
- passport or other identity document;
- medical certificate;
- document confirming completion of training (except for persons who prepared independently);
- a tractor operator's (tractor operator) certificate or another type of certificate for the right to drive self-propelled machines, if it was previously issued;
- photographs, with the exception of cases of automated production of certificates in state technical supervision bodies;
- a driver’s license (to obtain the right to drive self-propelled vehicles of categories “A II”, “A III” and “A IV” - mandatory, in other cases - if available);
- a document confirming payment of the state fee for issuing a tractor driver (tractor driver) license.
If a candidate is forced to refuse to take the exams due to unforeseen circumstances, the deposited money must be returned in accordance with the established procedure.
The following changes have been made to the list of documents required to obtain a tractor driver’s license:
1. To obtain licenses of categories A II - A IV, you must provide your existing driver’s license to the State Technical Supervision Authority. This is due to the fact that to obtain the above categories you must have experience driving a regular car.
2. The document on payment of state technical supervision fees in the new rules is replaced by a document on payment of state duty.
Attention! From November 28, 2015, you do not have to submit a document confirming payment of the state duty to the State Technical Supervision Authority. You can find out more about this in the article “Cancellation of self-training when obtaining a tractor driver’s license.”
Theoretical exam
22. The theoretical exam is taken on examination cards approved by the Main State Inspectorate for Supervision of the Technical Condition of Self-Propelled Vehicles and Other Types of Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Russian Federation, by questioning or using examination machines or personal electronic computers.
22. The theoretical exam is taken using exam cards approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, by questioning or using examination machines or personal electronic computers.
The change in rules relating to the theoretical test is only indirectly related to drivers. Starting from November 13, 2011, examination tickets for obtaining tractor driver licenses are developed not by a division of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, but by this ministry itself.
Practical exam
24. A tractor operator's (tractor operator) certificate is issued based on the results of a practical exam, which is conducted on a self-propelled machine of the corresponding category.
24. The practical exam is carried out on a self-propelled vehicle of the category for which the exam is being taken for the right to drive.
As for taking the practical exam for obtaining a tractor driver’s license, in this case the changes eliminate the inaccuracy that existed in the rules previously.
In paragraph 24 of the rules, the phrase “relevant category”, which can be interpreted in different ways, is replaced by the phrase “the category for which the exam is being taken for the right to drive”. In this case, the document has become more obvious, which is good news.
How to replace a license for the right to drive self-propelled equipment?
To replace your certificate, which can be done after 10 years or when your last name changes, you do not need to undergo training or take exams again . However, you will have to provide the same package of documents as initially, this time including an individual card (remember, it will be issued along with your license).
Accordingly, a new medical certificate will be required, and therefore a new commission. The fee (500 rubles) must also be paid again.
To replace a tractor driver’s license, as well as to restore it or change foreign to Russian, you will need to write an application. Its form in all cases is as follows:
zayavlenie-na-zamenu-prav-traktor
