Licensing of quad bikes

Question

In 2007 I purchased a new quadbike from a dealer. One year later I received a licence renewal notice for the quad in the post. Seeing as this vehicle is used solely off road I do not see why it requires a licence. I also have a quad which i bought 2nd hand but did not have to do a change of ownership at the local authority so this one is not licenced. Is a licence manditory and would I now also have to register the 2nd hand one? I understand the need to licence road going vehicles but I do not understand why i would need to licence a pure off roader. I cannot see any value to doing this apart from enriching the authorities.

Answer

Section 4 of the National Road Traffic Act requires that all motor vehicles be registered and licenced. Before this Act came into force in March 2001, the old road traffic act limited registration and licensing to vehicles operated on a public road. Thus, since March 2001, tractors and trailers used on farms, offroad motor cycles, harvesters, graders, frontloaders, forklifts etc. are liable for registration and licensing.

Quadrucycles were exempted from licensing on 27 May 2009. These vehicles must still be registered on every change of title holder or owner, but licensing is no more required. Arrears and penalties have been added to the accounts of owners of unlicenced quadrucycles.