Can I buy a tank and drive it on the freeway?

Question

well not like the guy you saw on the news chased by cops. I remember hearing that its legal to drive a tank on public road if you get a permet and have rubber tracks. I don't know if that was in the USA or in England but I do recall watching a guy on tv drive a tank in England to work. If so you can buy a tank from russia (t-34) for about 10,000 bucks. Just the same price for a used car. hmmm. No one would dare try to cut you off. So does anyone know if this is legal???? Oh if your intrested in the russian tank here is the site : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/21/warms21.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/01/21/ixworld.html

BTW: I would not drive a tank if it was legal or not, but just wonderig if the rumor is true.

Answer 1

UK answer.

Yup, so long as you replace the tracks with rubber ones (so it's not a 'tracklaying vehicle') and avoid the weak bridges then you're fine.

It needs to be taxed, insured and MoT-ed, just like any other vehicle.

Also, I would suggest you have a person on the top telling the driver what's happening around the tank, and put signs on it warning about the driver's low visibility.

The gun needs to be clearly deactivated. This is not a driveing law, but a firearms law, and the police will give you a few nights in cells and some interragation for not complying.

Answer 2

No, most tanks are overweight for normal roads. Only the military can operate them on regular roads and even they need to get permission from the local authorities first.

I saw one in England -- maybe the same show you did -- but he drove across fields and private roads with the owners' permission.

Answer 3

Most freeways have a minimum speed of 40/45 MPH. Will a tank run that fast? But then if you can get a permit, then I would say yes you could and speed wouldn't be an issue as I'm sure there would be a police escort.

Answer 4

In today's circumstances I find that doubtful.