|
Operators license
Do I need an Operators
License?
The short answer to that is, yes you need
an operators license if you are carrying goods, and the gross weight
of your vehicle [and trailer if you use one], plus the driver and
the load exceed 3500 kgs.
There are 3 distinct types of operator licenses.
1. Restricted License. To carry your own goods in the course of
your trade or business you need a restricted licence. You must not
carry goods for other people for hire or reward if you have a restricted
licence. If you do, you could be fined and lose your licence.
2. A standard national licence allows you to carry your own goods
in Great Britain, AND to carry goods for other people for hire or
reward in Great Britain. Even if you carry other people’s
goods only occasionally, you must have a standard national licence.
You can be fined if you use your vehicles for international hire
or reward work when your licence covers you for national operations
only. However, a standard national licence allows you to haul loaded
trailers to or from ports within Great Britain as part of an international
journey as long as your motor vehicles do not actually leave Great
Britain.
3. A standard international licence allows you to carry your own
goods, and goods for other people for hire or reward, both in Great
Britain and on international journeys. Operators who are issued
with international licences will also receive Community Authorisations
which are required for all hire or reward operations in, or through
European Union countries. These have replaced the need for community
permits, bilateral permits between member states and permits for
transit traffic through the EU but not permits for travel to or
through non-EU countries where these are still required.Some
of the things you need to do are straight forward. You will need
to show you have secure off street parking for your vehicles, you
will need to prove you have the facilities to repair and maintain
your vehicles, or show a relevent service agreement. If you are
currently an owner operator of one vehicle of 3500 g.v.w or less,
you will not have to comply with the driver hours regulation. With
an operators licence you will have to comply with these, as well
as complying with the digital tacho graphs. With an operators license
you will be able to hire a vehicle abve 3500 g.v.w. to deliver goods
for hire and reward.
Article
by Vic Farron : staff writer for RFT Express
|
