Driving behind tractors and farm machinery
How to handle slow-moving tractors and farm machinery safely and legally.
When you end up behind a tractor or other farm machinery, the biggest mistake is becoming impatient. You need to read the vehicle’s speed, width and working pattern before deciding on overtaking or following distance.
What you need to know
- Tractors can swing wide and use more of the road than you expect.
- Dirt, soil and poor visibility can increase stopping distance on small rural roads.
- Low speed does not mean it is always legal or safe to overtake.
Typical situations
| Situation | What you should do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Long straight stretch | Keep a good distance and assess oncoming traffic before deciding whether to pass. | Sitting close behind the tractor without any view ahead. |
| Tractor turning into a field | Read the position early and be prepared for the driver to move outward before the turn. | Thinking the tractor will let you pass on the inside. |
| Narrow road with oncoming traffic | Accept the low speed and wait until the whole situation is clear. | Forcing an overtake because the queue behind you is growing. |
Common mistakes
- Underestimating how wide or slow the vehicle really is.
- Reading low speed as a signal that you should overtake immediately.
- Forgetting that soil, mud and equipment can affect grip around you.
How to practice
Practice this together with Overtaking on rural roads - when it is legal , Attention and interaction and Right-of-way rules in detail when the tractor is turning or crossing the road.