If you are on the public highway, HSE guidance says that the forks (or other front-mounted handling attachment) should be:
- removed and carried elsewhere (e.g. on a trailer) or
- folded back and secured or
- covered/protected by an appropriate guard.
If this advice is not followed, the attachment may be regarded as a dangerous projection, other road users may be deemed to be at risk, and the driver may be prosecuted for dangerous driving.
NFU Scotland has reported a number of incidents where police have stopped farmers with their vehicles and charged them because they were regarded as operating with an unsafe attachment or ‘dangerous projection’ on their tractor or tele-andler. For some farmers, this has resulted in a £100 fine and a three-point penalty on their licence
More guidance can be found on the HSE website.