Not For Hire or Reward?

[indigorallye]

Put me out of my misery?
Why do they put this on tow cars/ transporters/ trucks etc etc??
I just don't get it!
Thanks.

[AndyMil]

Don't need operators licence or to use tachograph if I remember correctly

[jpivey]

I thought it was more to do with taxing the vehicle.

[carl_w]

It's a specific exclusion in most insurance policies, so I guess that's the reason.

[Burp]

Means you cant use the vehicle as a taxi

[ymwoods]

Bassicly if you were giving someone a lift (even a friend) and getting anything in return then your insurance is invalid if you crashed.

Not sure how you would stand on towing someone for reward...but if its insured for business use and the insurance company know that is what you intend to do with the truck/car then it shouldn't be a problem.

[BobM]

AndyMil said:

Don't need operators licence or to use tachograph if I remember correctly

Correct:
http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1...

[indigorallye]

I know insurance companies stipulate it.
But why do I only ever see it on motorsport vehicles?
Why put it on the vehicle at all?

[Mark Benson]

indigorallye said:

I know insurance companies stipulate it.
But why do I only ever see it on motorsport vehicles?
Why put it on the vehicle at all?

If the insurance stipulates it, it's probably so that anyone wanting to hire it or pay the operator to move their stuff knows it won't be covered by the insurance on the truck.

That way, if the truck crashes and their racecar is damaged, they can't say they weren't aware.

[thunderbelmont]

indigorallye said:

I know insurance companies stipulate it.
But why do I only ever see it on motorsport vehicles?
Why put it on the vehicle at all?

It's a bit of a "get out Jail Free Card", because the vehicles are exempt from Tacho and Operators Licence regulations, it gives any stopping officer heads up why there's no second disc in the screen, and there probably won't be a card in the Tachograph.

VOSA are starting to get the snots about motorsport operations exploiting this exemption, which was designed for "own account operators", not Fred Bloggs Motorsport taking customer cars. Trucks plastered in sponsor's logo's are often seen as Commercial and that means VOSA could insist on an operators licence, and tacho regs (and prosecute for not complying retrospectively!)

It's a minefield, and attracting some unwanted attention from the powers that be!

[andy rob]

this old chestnut,
for me 'not for hire or reward' says please investigate me officer, as ive got no tach, o licence & probably not the correct drivers licence with this massive trailer on

[ULOWFOTR]

Operator Licensing is the legal system for controlling the use of goods vehicles used for trade & business purposes for most goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW. There are 3 classes of Operator Licences.
These are :- Restricted, Standard National, and Standard International.

Restricted licences are only available to own-account operators who carry nothing other than goods in connection with their own trade or business. Restricted “O“ Licence holders must not use their vehicles for hire or reward or on behalf of customers, even if done only as a favour, or as part of the service provided to a customer, even if no charges are raised.

Standard National licences entitles the holder (ie professional haulier) to also carry goods for hire or reward on national operations only.

Standard International licence entitles the holder to also carry goods for hire or reward on both national & international operations.

A licence identity disc containing the registration number of the vehicle concerned is issued for each vehicle specified on the operator’s licence. Each disc will show the operator’s name, the vehicle registration number, the operator’s licence number, the disc expiry date and the type of licence. The discs are colour coded:-
Orange - Restricted licence
Blue - Standard National licence
Green - Standard International licence

There are some vehicles which are exempt from the operator licensing system :- for example vehicles used by the emergency services such as the police, the ambulance service, the fire service, armed forces etc. Also private vehicles used solely for carrying private belongings, that are not connected with any business activities & are taxed privately. An example of this is a private horsebox, used by a person for transporting their horses to a show as a non professional competitor etc. Recovery vehicles are exempt from operator licensing & this does cause confusion within our industry, ie transporting cars. For example a recovery vehicle must only be used for the recovery of a vehicle that has recently been involved in an accident or has broken down, and such a vehicle must be taken to a place of safety or for repair or to be scrapped. They must not be used for the general transportation of vehicles, whether in roadworthy condition or not. For example, a vehicle such as a classic car that had been stored in a barn for a considerable time then the owner requires it taking to a restoration garage or to another owner, must NOT be transported by a recovery vehicle. Recovery vehicles are registered & taxed as such.

Requirements to obtain an Operator’s Licence.
An applicant cannot obtain an Operators Licence like a TV licence! They are not automatically granted.
Applicants must meet certain statutory requirements & must satisfy certain conditions.

Restricted Licences.
Applicants must be fit & proper persons, of appropriate financial standing .

Standard Licence.
Applicants must be of good repute, of appropriate financial standing, be professionally qualified/ competent or must employ a person who is professionally qualified & competent in national transport operations.

Standard International Licence.
Applicants must be as above, but in addition must be professionally qualified / competent in both national & international operations or employ someone who is.

All licence applicants must make legally binding promises & undertakings. All applicants / holders must show & maintain that they have adequate facilities or arrangements to keep vehicles in a safe & legal condition. They must also keep suitable maintenance records. Regular safety inspections & routine maintenance should be carried out usually at a maximum of 6 weekly intervals, but depending on usage, this could be much lower. All licence applicants/holders must show & maintain satisfactory arrangements for insuring that the law relating to driver’s hours records, including tachographs will be complied with. All licence applicants / holders must make proper arrangements to prevent overloading of vehicles & trailers. All licence applicants / holders must have & maintain a suitable operating centre.

Impounding of Vehicles.
Vehicles can now be impounded & heavy fines imposed if a goods vehicle is used without / or with the incorrect operator‘s licence. Impounded vehicles & their goods may be returned to their owner in due course provided that specified conditions are met & goods returned to the owner when title has been established. Incorrect & unlicensed operator’s vehicles are at great risk of insurance claims not being met.