Our O Licence Application & Management Services
An operator licence in the UK is a legal requirement for anyone carrying goods or passengers for hire or reward. It sets out the conditions under which the operator must comply when running their business. It is designed to ensure that operators comply with safety, environmental, and other road transport legislation.
Before making your Operator Licence Application we would check the following to ensure you have selected the most appropriate choice:
- Why are you looking to apply for an O licence?
- How many vehicles and trailers do you (the operator) use?
- What is the suitability of the storage of your vehicles and trailers?
- Who is going to carry out regular maintenance and/or inspections and will this be done in house or by a third-party maintenance provider?
- What evidence do you have to demonstrate that you meet the required ‘financial standing’ for the Traffic Commissioner?
- Do you have the knowledge to compliantly run your licence or are you suitably familiar with drivers’ hours and operator licence compliance?
Who Needs an Operator Licence?
You need an Operator Licence if you:
- Transport goods or passengers for hire or reward using a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes (or 2.5 tonnes for international haulage in certain cases).
- Run a haulage, logistics, or passenger transport business in the UK.
- Use vehicles for business purposes that exceed the legal weight limits.
- Operate a fleet of lorries, vans, or buses and need to comply with road transport legislation.
Applying for the right O Licence ensures legal compliance, safety, and smooth operations.
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What Are the Different Types of Vehicle Operator Licence?
- HGV Restricted Operator Licence - This type of vehicle operator licensing is for vehicle users who carry their own goods whilst in the UK or the European Union.
- PSV Restricted Operator Licence - This type of vehicle operator licensing is for small scale operations, where passenger transport is not your main business and allows you to operate up to two small vehicles.
- PSV Special Restricted Operator Licence - This type of vehicle operator license is used to operate a licensed taxi on a local, registered service.
- PSV/HGV Standard National Licence - This allows operators to transport goods that they own, across the EU and to charge for transporting goods not owned by them within the UK on a hire or reward basis. This is usually the type of required by haulage and logistics operators or passenger transport businesses to operate within the UK only.
- PSV/HGV Standard International Licence - This type of HGV operator’s licence is used by hauliers that require EU Community Authorisation to transport passengers or goods for hire and reward throughout Europe
- European & Offshore Licences - Whilst UK hauliers can hold a standard international licence for international journeys, sometimes it can be more appropriate to obtain an international licence from another EU country. We can also help facilitate this for you if required.
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What Else Do You Need to Consider When Getting an Operator Licence?
Once you have your operator licence, there are lots of aspects that you need to comply with, and we can support you with any of them.
Some of them are listed below.
- Monthly compliance and internal audit
- Compliance of drivers’ hours, working time directive & domestic drivers’ hours
- Maintenance checks – planning, paperwork
- Pre-use vehicle checks, rectification and recording
- Driver management including licence checks
- Incident reporting and recording
- Vehicle insurance, tax, VOR and SORN procedure
- VOL System and OCRS Report
- Gate checks
- Tyre management
- Operator licence updates and advice
We simplify Operator Licence compliance with expert support in audits, management, and regulations.
What Happens if You Are Not Compliant with your Operator's License (O-licence)?
If you are not compliant with your Operator Licence in the UK, you may face enforcement action from the Traffic Commissioners or DVSA. This could include:
- Fines and penalties for non-compliance
- Licence suspension, curtailment, or revocation
- Disqualification from operating vehicles
- Criminal prosecution, potentially leading to a custodial sentence
Traffic Commissioner & DVSA Enforcement Actions
- Public Inquiry – A formal review of your operator licence compliance
- Preliminary Hearing – Early-stage assessment of potential compliance failures
- Driver Conduct Hearing – Investigation into vocational drivers’ professional fitness
- Suspension or removal of professional driver entitlement
We can offer support for all types of Operator Licences, from tachograph analysis, paperwork compliance to training.
Why Choose Total Compliance?
Total Compliance is ISO 9001 Certified and we are registered with the DVSA to provide training, with all our trainer competencies checked on an on-going basis. Our consultants are qualified CPC Transport Managers, with a wealth of experience in transport both in the HGV and PSV / PCV sectors.
When you choose Total Compliance, you benefit from:
Fixed price and support from start to finish
Advice on the licence type that your business requires
Full assistance with the Operator Licence application
Assistance and guidance on obtaining an interim licence
Checking all relevant documentation to ensure the application goes through first time
Preparation of a maintenance agreement or assistance with your provider
Assistance with the operating centre consent letter with your provider
Advice with the TM1 form for your transport manager, if required
Advice on financial standing and what is required on-going
Regular updates with the DVSA’s throughout the application process
Need Help with an Operator Licence Application?
Contact us today for expert support >>
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