What is an Operator Licence and who needs one?

Understanding Operator Licence Compliance

Operator Licence required for light goods vehicles, vans, cars and trailers — act now

What is an Operator Licence?

An Operator Licence, also known as an O Licence, is a legal requirement if your business uses goods vehicles above a certain weight and is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on behalf of the traffic commissioners.

The main purpose of vehicle operator licensing is to ensure the safe and proper use of goods vehicles and to protect the environment around operating centres.

You must make sure that any drivers you use or employ have the correct licence and training and that all vehicles that you use are correctly taxed and kept safe and in good condition at all times. The DVSA carries out regular roadside vehicle checks and checks on operating centres and your licence could be taken away, suspended or restricted if you do not meet the required standards.

Who needs an Operator Licence?

You need a vehicle Operator Licence if your business uses Heavy Goods Vehicles and/or Passenger Vehicles above a certain weight or capacity on public roads for trade or business purposes.

Heavy Goods Vehicles

You need an Operator Licence to carry goods in a lorry, van or other vehicle with either:

A gross plated weight (the maximum weight that the vehicle can have at any one time) of over 3,500 kilograms (kg)
An unladen weight of more than 1,525 kg (where there is no plated weight)

Passenger Vehicles

You need an Operator’s Licence for passenger vehicles with eight or more passenger seats.

Light Goods Vehicles

You need an Operator Licence to carry goods in Europe in vans or cars and trailers as follows:

vans with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) over 2,500kg (2.5 tonnes) and up to and including 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes)
vans towing a trailer with a gross train weight (GTW) over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes
cars towing a trailer with a GTW over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes

Exemptions

There are several categories of vehicle which do not need an Operator Licence, these include:

Military vehicles
Snow ploughs and gritters
Emergency service vehicles (including those used by gas, electricity, water and telephone companies)

Hearses
Recovery vehicles (only if they’re used exclusively for that purpose)
Tractors and agricultural vehicles used in certain circumstances

Types of Operator Licence

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