The Operators’ licensing system in the UK is a complex process, and the majority of people find the process confusing. There are many exemptions to the licensing procedure that may or may not apply to you. Therefore, always consult a specialist before applying for an operators’ licence to know whether you actually need one or not.
RWTCS is a personalised service for people who are applying for a new or variation operators’ licence in the UK. Our experts will help you to apply for an operators’ licence properly and clear up any confusion you have about the operators’ licensing system.
Before we dive into the details regarding the operators’ licensing system, let us know what a operators’ licence is.
Operators’ Licence
An operators’ licence is a legal authority that is required to operate heavy goods vehicles in Great Britain. The Traffic Commissioner issues the operators’ licence and has the right to take regulatory actions against the licence holder. The Traffic Commission usually takes regulatory actions if the licence holder fails to maintain the standards of operation.
Probably, the most common question we get about an operators’ licence is “Do I need an operators’ licence?”. Let us know the answer and decide whether you need an operators’ licence or not.
Why Do I Need an Operators’ Licence?
Yes, you will require an operators’ licence in order to operate vehicles above the gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes. Operators’ licences are required for heavy goods vehicles that are used to carry goods for trade and business purposes.
The user of the vehicle must hold the Operators’ licence before transporting any goods on the public road in Great Britain for trade and business. The driver is considered the user of the vehicle if they own the vehicle or are leasing it. Otherwise, the transport manager or the agent of the driver is regarded as the user of the vehicle.
Now that we have found the answer to “Do I need an Operators’ Licence?”, let us take a look at the types of operators’ licences available and what you need to apply for one.
There are three types of operators’ licences available in the UK:
1. Restricted Operators’ Licence:
The restricted operators’ licence is for those who carry their own goods for trade and business purposes. This licence is used to cover all the transportation operations all over the UK.
2. Standard [national] Licence:
The standard [national] licence is for those who carry their own goods and carry goods for hire or reward in connection to trade and business. This standard licence covers all the transportation operations across the UK.
3. Standard [international] Licence:
The standard [international] licence is very similar to the standard [national] licence. The only difference is that this licence covers transportation operations throughout Europe.
How much does it cost for an operators’ licence?
If you are applying for an operators’ licence for the first time, you will have to pay £254 as an application fee. You will also have to pay the application fee if you want to make a publishable change to your existing operators’ licence.
The user or licence holder will have to pay a £449 licensing fee if your licence application is accepted. The licensing fee will cover a period of five years. The licensing fee is payable if you extend your operators’ licence at the end of the five year period. You will have to pay £68 if you need an interim licence or direction.
You are required to apply for a new operators’ licence if you had an existing standard licence before 1st July 2012. The licence holder will have to apply for a new licence under the Goods Vehicle Act before the existing licence expires. In that case, a £254 application fee and £449 licensing fee is applicable.
Please keep in mind that all these fees are non-refundable.
How to apply for an operators’ licence?
In order to apply for an operators’ licence, you will need to:
- Advertise your licence application
- Advertise your proposed vehicle operating centres.
- Hire a transport manager if you are applying for a standard operators’ licence (national and international)
- Provide required financial information
- Create a maintenance agreement with an agent or garage for safety checks and inspections if you are unable to do so yourself.
- Pay the application fee.
You can now easily apply for an operators’ licence online. You will receive a decision on your operators’ licence application within seven weeks if you apply online. If you apply by post, then you will receive a decision within nine weeks.
You can apply for an interim licence if you are in urgent need of a licence. You will be able to operate vehicles with the interim licence until you receive the full licence. The Traffic Commissioner will only issue an interim or temporary licence based on the receipt of the complete operators’ licence application.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conducts regular checks on roadside vehicles and inspections on operating centres. The report of the checks and inspections are then submitted to the independent Traffic Commissioners.
The vehicle will be considered immobilised or prohibited if the report of the regular checks conducted by the DVSA states that:
- The vehicle is overloaded.
- It is unworthy of operating on the road.
- The vehicle breaks the rules on the transportation of dangerous goods.
- The driver has broken the rules and regulations regarding the drivers’ hours.
To know more about operators’ licence and to apply for an operators’ licence, visit here.