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How to get an operator licence

#haulage companies #owner drivers

Our step-by-step guide to getting your operator licence, including requirements, application steps, and ongoing compliance.

Getting an operator licence for HGVs

Getting an operator licence is the first step for anyone wanting to become a HGV owner-driver in the UK, as it lets you legally run a haulage business using large vehicles.

In this guide, we’ll take you through each of the steps for getting your operator licence, including the different types of licences, the required paperwork, where to submit your application, and how to maintain it once you’re up and running.

What is an operator licence?

A ‘goods vehicle operator’s licence’, also known as an ‘O licence’, is a legal requirement for anyone who wants to start a haulage company using Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), and shows that you meet specific standards and can run your business safely.

The operator licence applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes as the gross vehicle weight (GVW), which includes all HGVs, articulated lorries, and larger rigid lorries.

When applying for a O licence, there are a few fees involved:

If you need to make changes to your licence in the future (e.g. you need to add more vehicles), there’s a £257 fee.

How to get your operator licence

1. Determine the type of licence you need

Before applying, decide which type of licence suits your business. 

2. Meet the operator licence requirements

To get an operator’s licence, you need to meet several conditions. You need to show that you are of good repute, have sufficient financial standing, possess professional competence, and have access to a haulage yard. 

This means you need to be trustworthy, have enough money to run your business, and know how to operate an HGV business safely.

You’ll need a few documents to prove you meet these O licence requirements.

For financial standing, you might need:

For good repute, you must provide:

To prove professional competence, you’ll need:

As part of your application, you must have access to a suitable haulage yard. This yard is where your vehicles will be parked, maintained, and inspected. You need to provide evidence of your yard’s location and its adequacy for your operations, including:

You’ll need an operator’s licence for each traffic area where you have a haulage yard, or ‘operating centre’. The full list of traffic areas is available on the GOV.UK application page. 

Make sure you select the correct one based on your yard’s location, as this ensures you comply with regional regulations and operate within the legal boundaries of your traffic area.

3. Completing the application

You’ll need to apply for your operator’s licence through the GOV.UK website. 

Fill out the application form carefully, and include all the required documents like your proof of financial standing and maintenance arrangements. 

Double-check everything before you submit to avoid delays.

4. Advertising your application

Believe it or not, you’ll need to advertise your application in a local newspaper. This is a public notice letting people know about your plans to operate an HGV business. 

Include details of where and when you plan to run your business. After the ad runs, submit proof of advertisement with your application. This step helps keep the process transparent.

Think of this as a charming nod to the olden days. Even in the age of the internet, the law insists you advertise in the local paper. It might seem outdated, but it’s still a requirement. 

So, grab your copy of the local paper and let the community know about your new venture!

5. Awaiting the decision

Once you’ve submitted your haulage licence application, you’ll have to wait for a decision from the Traffic Commissioner. 

They may request more information or call you for a public inquiry. Be prepared to answer questions and provide additional documents if needed. 

If your application is refused, you can appeal the decision.

Operator licence vehicle disc
Once approved, you’ll receive a disc that you can attach to your windscreen.

Maintaining your operator licence

Compliance with ongoing requirements

After you get your operator licence, you’ll need stick to certain rules and regular checks, including:

These steps keep your licence in good standing.

Renewing your licence

Operator licences aren’t forever. You’ll need to renew yours every 5 years. 

Keep track of the renewal dates and prepare the necessary documents in advance. This includes updated financial statements and proof of ongoing compliance with safety standards. Missing the renewal deadline can disrupt your business operations.

Prepare the following for renewal:

Updating your O licence

If you need to make changes to your licence, like updating addresses, changing named drivers or even adding new vehicles, you’ll need to pay a £257 fee.

Tips for getting your operator’s licence quickly

To speed up the process, avoid common mistakes. Make sure your application is complete and accurate, because missing information can delay approval. 

Consider seeking professional help if you’re unsure about any part of the application. Specialists can guide you through the process and help you meet all requirements.

Join HX to get haulage jobs

Once you have your haulage licence, joining the Haulage Exchange (HX) can help you find reliable haulage contracts quickly. 

HX connects you with thousands of transport companies across the UK and Europe, and by using our real-time freight exchange, you can see live loads, bid on them, and secure jobs fast. We also integrate leading tools for managing your fleet, tracking vehicles, and handling invoicing, saving you time and reducing admin tasks.

Joining HX gives you a competitive edge in the haulage industry. You can always find work, build lasting relationships with shippers, and grow your business sustainably. Start using HX today to take your haulage business to the next level.

Conclusion

Getting an operator licence is your first step towards a successful haulage business. Start by understanding what type of haulage licence you need. Meet the necessary requirements and complete the application process carefully. Advertise your application, wait for the decision, and maintain your licence by following ongoing requirements.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving HGV business.

Remember, the O licence is your ticket to legally run and grow your business. Good luck on your journey to becoming a licensed HGV owner-driver!

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) carry essential loads up and down the UK, delivering everything from food to building materials. HGV owner driver jobs are, therefore, pivotal to the economy, making the current shortage of drivers a real concern.

The Road Haulage Association estimates there is a shortage of around 100,000 drivers in the UK. It’s been caused by a perfect storm of events and issues.

Brexit has meant many drivers have left the UK to find work back home or in countries remaining in the EU. Others, paid by the mile, have been deterred by delays caused by Brexit bureaucracy. And with the drop in value of the pound versus the euro, being paid in pounds has become less attractive to drivers from mainland Europe.

Drivers’ pay has also been hit by IR35 tax rules around self-employment, with drivers now having to pay more in tax and national insurance contributions.

The Covid-19 pandemic has, of course, played a major role in the driver shortage, with many drivers returning to their home countries as the UK locked down. Allied to this, there is now a substantial backlog in HGV driver tests, preventing new drivers from getting out on the road.

To help tackle the shortage, the government recently announced new measures, designed to boost the recruitment and retention of drivers. Our guide gives you useful information on how to join this in-demand profession.

What are the responsibilities of a haulage driver?

As well as transporting goods using large lorries, HGV drivers usually have these responsibilities:

What is the average salary for a haulage driver in the UK?

As demand for drivers has shot up, the financial rewards have become more and more attractive. According to Totaljobs, the average HGV driver in the UK earns £32,500 per year*. 

However, with the national shortage of drivers hitting multiple industries many are offering much more than this. Waitrose is offering up to £53,780 annually, while Tesco and Waitrose have introduced joining bonuses of £1,000. One recruitment specialist is even paying £5,000 for new drivers to become qualified.

What qualifications does a haulage driver need?

There are various routes into a driving role, but if you choose the intermediate apprenticeship route, you’ll usually require some GCSEs, including Maths and English.

You’ll also need:

LGV licences come in different categories:

To drive vehicles with trailers, you’ll need to take a category C+E test.

You can apply for government-subsidised HGV driver training, at 60 locations across the UK.

What skills make a great haulage driver?

In addition to being a competent driver, HGV drivers need a particular set of skills:

If you want to become a HGV driver, you’ll also need some knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits. It may also help if you have a flexible attitude towards spending nights away from home and working in an environment where space is restricted.

What are the benefits of being a haulage driver?

As drivers are more in demand than ever, it’s an industry that offers stability and security. With home deliveries of all kinds of goods rising sharply during the pandemic, it’s also an industry on the up, presenting you with long-term career prospects.

Some people hate the thought of being stuck in an office 9-5. Being a haulage driver gives you much more freedom and keeps you moving all day, meeting new people as you deliver loads.

Once you’ve qualified as a HGV driver, Haulage Exchange can help you to find regular, well-paid work. With over 8,000 professionals using the Exchange – and thousands of new truck loads posted daily – it offers great business and networking opportunities.

*As per available figures on Totaljobs as of 1 August 2024: https://www.totaljobs.com/salary-checker/average-hgv-drivers-salary