Operator's Licence

EU Directive 74/561 requires operators using goods vehicles over 3.5tonnes gross vehicle weight for the commercial carriage of goods to be in possession of an Operator's Licence.

Standard National - for hire and reward work in the UK

Standard International - for hire and reward in the UK & abroad

Restricted - own account work, UK or abroad

N.B. Restricted licences can be used to deliver / collect own goods nationally and internationally.

SCOPE OF OPERATOR’S LICENCE
The Operator’s licence is issued in the name of the user of the vehicle. For the purposes of the licence, you are the user if:

1. You are an owner-driver or

2. You pay someone to drive the vehicle for you or

3. You hire or borrow the vehicle, but drive it yourself or pay someone to drive it for you

N.B. The person who pays the drivers wages must hold the operator’s licence.

VEHICLES COVERED

Goods vehicles, or vehicle / trailer combinations, with a gross weight / gross train weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes (or 1525 kg unladen weight if unplated), (the weight of any trailer not more than 1020 kg unladen weight being discounted,) which are used for the carriage of goods in connection with business, whether for hire and reward or own account, need the relevant operator’s licence.

ISSUING THE LICENCE

The operator’s licence is issued by the Traffic Commissioner of the Traffic Area in which the vehicle(s) are based.

Standard for hire and reward

Restricted for own account.

TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER
The country is divided into Traffic Areas. The Traffic Commissioner in each area is responsible for the issuing of operator’s licences and the enforcement of regulations regarding the operating of goods vehicles.

CRITERIA FOR ISSUING AN OPERATOR’S LICENCE

APPLICATION FOR ‘O’ LICENCE
Application is made centrally to the Traffic Area Office, in Leeds.

Applications should be submitted at least nine weeks prior to the required commencement date of the ‘O’ licence.

Each Operator’s Licence is valid for life, but is subject to five yearly reviews. A licence can only be terminated if the operator surrenders it, if he fails to pay the correct fees on time, or if it is revoked by the Traffic Commissioner.

Before an ‘O’ licence is issued, the Traffic Commissioner must be satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person/company to hold an ‘O’ licence.

Operating Centre
The operating centre is defined as the location where the vehicle is normally kept. Full details of each operating centre, including number of vehicles and trailers to be authorised plus “off street” parking available, must be given.

If an operator keeps his vehicles at his customer’s premises, the customer’s premises would be the operating centre.

The Traffic Commissioner can refuse the use of an operating centre on road safety, parking and environmental grounds.

CPC Holder
When applying for a standard operator’s licence, one or more CPC holders will be required. (No CPC holder is required for a restricted operator’s licence.)

Declaration
Finally the applicant is required to sign a declaration that he will observe the regulations regarding drivers’ hours of work and records, overloading, maintenance and adequate finance, and inform the Traffic Commissioner of any changes or convictions affecting the licence criteria.

For course details see CPC section