New EU rules as of the 21st May 2022 will have implications for transport companies and couriers with vans, cars and trailers over 2.5 tonnes who transport goods in Europe.

The new rules will mean that operators or users of vans and other light goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight that transport goods for hire and reward from the UK into, or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, will need to obtain an International Operators’ Licence.

Choosing the correct licence is vitally important as the Traffic Commissioner can impose suspensions and removal of licences to operate commercial vehicles.

This will apply to you if you’re based in England, Scotland or Wales and use:

• vans or other light goods vehicles (sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
• vans towing trailers
• cars towing trailers

You need to either:

• apply for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence for the first time
• add the vehicles to your standard international goods vehicle operator licence (if you already have one)
• apply to upgrade your standard national goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence
• apply to upgrade your restricted goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence

You’ll also need to have a qualified transport manager.

You must have a transport manager to get a standard international goods vehicle operator licence, this is someone responsible for things such as:

• planning routes and scheduling delivery times
• managing your team of drivers and administration staff
• making sure drivers follow company and industry regulations
• arranging vehicle maintenance, MOTs and tax payments
• organising vehicle replacements

You must either:

• apply to get an existing member of staff (including yourself) temporarily recognised as a transport manager
• employ someone with a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification
• hire in an external qualified transport manager

Operator Licences

To operate any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight or (where there is no plated weight) an unladen weight of more than 1525KG to transport goods for hire and reward or in connection with a trade or business, you will need to have an operator’s licence in place, which is issued by the office of the Traffic Commissioner.

The operator’s licence should be applied for in the name of the person, company or partnership that is the ‘user’ of the vehicle. The user of the vehicle is to be considered as:

• You are the driver and owner of the vehicle; or
• it is in your lawful possession under an agreement for hire, hire purchase or load; or
• the driver is your employee or agent (i.e. you pay them to drive the vehicle for you).

There are three main types of operator’s licence which you can apply for:

• Restricted licence – this allows the carriage of goods but only on your own account within Great Britain and abroad.
• Standard Licence – This allows the carriage of goods for hire or reward in Great Britain (permits own account movements in GB and abroad)
• Standard International Licence – This allows the carriage of goods for hire or reward within Great Britain and abroad.

Operator Licence Awareness Training

For any internal transport managers, middle management or any staff responsible for maintaining the company "O" Licence, they need to be correctly trained.

As an operator, you should ensure that a Transport Manager nominated on your licence (Standard Licence holders) is fully qualified and up to date with their training.

Similarly, if you are an operator or manager who has responsibility for a transport operation, a reputable course will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the statutory requirement for the continuous and effective management of the transport operations and the importance of ensuring compliance with the Operator Licence undertakings and obligations.

Many courses can be taken online or in person and should be accredited and satisfy the requirements of the traffic commissioner.

For more information on training courses and guidance on the new EU rules or how to apply for an operator’s licence, contact the Logico team on hello@teamlogico.co.uk

https://www.teamlogico.co.uk