Goods vehicle licensing

The operator's licensing regime

The main purpose of the goods vehicle operator licensing regime is to ensure the safe and proper use of goods vehicles, promote fair competition and to protect the environment around operating centres where the vehicles are housed.

An operator's licence is a legal authority to operate a certain category of vehicle within the UK. Operator licensing applies to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs) and to passenger service vehicles (PSVs), ie buses and coaches.

In England, Wales and Scotland, operator licences are issued by Traffic Commissioners. Traffic Commissioners are responsible for the licensing and regulation of those who operate HGVs, LGVs and PSVs as well as the registration of local bus services. Traffic Commissioners are statutorily independent licensing authorities and they can also take action against the vocational entitlement of bus, coach and lorry drivers who commit road and other certain offences.

HGV operator licences are governed under the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 (GV(LO)A 1995), with supporting provisions also found within the Road Transport Operator Regulations 2011, SI 2011/2632, and the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations

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