Did you know that by law you are required to have a Goods Vehicle Operator’s licence if you drive a vehicle that weighs more than 3.5 tonnes and the vehicle in question is used to carry goods for business or trade purposes?
On GOV.UK there are informative guides published regarding the conditions for UK commercial drivers in the EU after Brexit.
The guides linked below can help assist you in what you may need to do as a commercial driver post Brexit:
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu-after-brexit
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-drive-in-the-eu-after-brexit-lorry-and-goods-vehicle-drivers
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage-after-brexit
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-authorisations-and-permits-for-road-haulage
The three types of Operator licences are:
- Restricted Licence: This licence allows a driver to carry their own goods for business or trade purposes. Transportation operations are permitted within the UK and Internationally.
- Standard National Licence: This licence permits a driver to carry their own goods and other people’s goods. They may carry their own goods for trips within the UK and internationally. However, they may carry other people’s goods for trips solely within the UK.
- Standard International Licence: This is the same as a Standard National Licence, barring that a Standard International Licence allows the driver to carry other people’s goods throughout Europe.
When you apply for an Operator’s licence there are fees to pay:
£257 – A one-off application fee.
£401 – Issue of a licence fee.
£68 – An interim licence fee. (only to pay if applicable)
Furthermore, every 5 years there is a continuation fee to pay for a driver to remain operating on their licence. This fee is: £401
To get a Restricted, Standard National / International licence, some standards must be met.
This involves:
- Advertising for the proposed operating centre and licence.
- Appointing a competent Transport Manager for a Standard licence.
- Giving relevant evidence for one’s financial standing.
- Putting together a maintenance contract with an external contractor to do safety inspections and repair vehicles, this is if it is not done internally.
The financial standing for goods vehicle operators changes at the start of every year.
The current standing for a STANDARD OPERATOR LICENCE is:
1st vehicle: £8000.00
Each additional vehicle: £4,450.00
RESTRICTED OPERATOR LICENCE:
1st vehicle: £3,100.00
Each additional vehicle: £1,700.00
Once an Operator’s licence is obtained, changes can be made to it. These changes can entail variations such as adding or taking away vehicles from a licence. If you are adding vehicles to a licence or changing your operating centre, you must arrange a Public Notice in a suitable local newspaper outlining the details of the number of your vehicles and details of your chosen operating centre. The purpose of the GVOL notices is to give local people and occupiers the chance to object.
DVSA regularly carries out checks on roadside vehicles and operating centres.
During a DVSA roadside check if it is found that your vehicle is:
• Overloaded
• Unroadworthy
Or your vehicle:
• Breaks the rules surrounding the transportation of dangerous goods, or drivers’ hours regulations.
Your vehicle may be prohibited or immobilised.
Furthermore, if you:
• Do not fulfil the terms or conditions of your licence.
• Meet health and safety conditions.
• Have been convicted of certain offences.
• Have been made bankrupt or your company goes into liquidation, administration or receivership.
<strong>Your licence could be taken away, suspended or restricted.</strong>
This could also occur if:
• You use an area that is not listed on your licence as an operating centre.
• Following an inspection, you are given a prohibition notice by the DVSA.
The traffic commissioner may decide to call you to a public inquiry to review if any action against your licence is required. We have the facilities to assist with this.
