Criteria for the issue of O-licences.
In the follow up posts I will describe each of the requirements in more details but for now, here’s the summary.
Requirements for all O-licences:
- Applicant must be a “fit and proper person”
- Vehicle maintenance arrangements
- Operating centre
- Legal undertakings
- Finance
Additional requirements for Standard O-licences:
- Good repute
- Financial standing
- Transport Manager who is a CPC holder
- Published in O-Licence
Types of O-licences: Restricted vs. Standard National vs. Standard International
Restricted
This type of licence is the one required for organisations which only carry own goods in the course of their business. The rules allow a little flexibility in that restricted licence holders are not limited to just carrying goods that they might have produced themselves. They may also bring in their own raw materials for processing and vehicles belonging to a holding company may carry the goods of a subsidiary company (and vice versa). A restricted licence will allow the carriage of such “own account” goods both within the UK and abroad
Standard National
This licence allows the carriage of goods for hire and reward in the UK. Even if goods are only occasionally carried for hire and reward, a standard licence will be required.
Standard International
A standard international licence allows the carriage of goods for hire and reward both nationally and internationally.
- Published in O-Licence
Who needs an Operator Licence (O-licence)?
Operator licensing is necessary for the operator of any goods vehicles over 3.5 tonne GVW which are used in connection with a trade or business. The types of business entity – solo trader, partnership, limited company etc – is irrelevant; all businesses using goods vehicles are subject. Neither does it matter what the business is; almost all commercial activity necessitating the use of goods vehicles is covered, from supermarkets to builders, road hauliers to oil companies. Operator licensing still applies even when the operation of goods vehicles is incidental to the main business activity. Only people using goods vehicles entirely for private purposes are excluded.
- Published in O-Licence