HGV Operators Licence
Discussion
I have a Grounds Maintenance business and have recently acquired a 7.5t wagon which has been slowly and painfully converted in to a Hiab/Beavertail wagon with the job of carrying about small bits of plant and machinery purely for our own use. I was not aware I needed an HGV operators Licence as the wagon was under 7.5t, anyway the lorry got pulled and a few niggles were found, these were all sorted and clearance was given.
Few weeks later a VOSA inspector turns up at the office and explains that I needed a licence, he insists my driver should have told me this from the roadside inspection carried out. I explain I was shocked and disappointed that I had not been made aware of this fact via a letter or other means of correspondence sooner, the guy just turned up out of the blue and formally interviewed me.
Anyway, he explained everything I need to do to acquire such a licence and I have also done my own research. I have confidence in my staff to carry out the general inspections and we have a workshop that suits, trouble is we do not have headlight testers, brake testers or emmission testing equipment, therefore it looks like we will have to outsource.
Due to the low mileage of the vehicle P/A, the VOSA chap said I should be able to get away with an inspection every 8 weeks, however I still need to advertise my application in the local rag as well as fork out £651 and what ever the 8 week inspections will cost. The lorry is purely for our own work and makes life easier than hauling a trailer round etc, with all this legislation and cost, I just don't think its worth it
Can anyone advise on the cost of a maintenance contractor to inspect the wagon every 8 weeks or possibly just carry out the headlight, brake and emmissions part of the inspection? Any other advice regarding this matter would also be much appreciated.
Few weeks later a VOSA inspector turns up at the office and explains that I needed a licence, he insists my driver should have told me this from the roadside inspection carried out. I explain I was shocked and disappointed that I had not been made aware of this fact via a letter or other means of correspondence sooner, the guy just turned up out of the blue and formally interviewed me.
Anyway, he explained everything I need to do to acquire such a licence and I have also done my own research. I have confidence in my staff to carry out the general inspections and we have a workshop that suits, trouble is we do not have headlight testers, brake testers or emmission testing equipment, therefore it looks like we will have to outsource.
Due to the low mileage of the vehicle P/A, the VOSA chap said I should be able to get away with an inspection every 8 weeks, however I still need to advertise my application in the local rag as well as fork out £651 and what ever the 8 week inspections will cost. The lorry is purely for our own work and makes life easier than hauling a trailer round etc, with all this legislation and cost, I just don't think its worth it
Can anyone advise on the cost of a maintenance contractor to inspect the wagon every 8 weeks or possibly just carry out the headlight, brake and emmissions part of the inspection? Any other advice regarding this matter would also be much appreciated.
You may be able to negotiate your inspections down to £75 plus VAT with a main dealer.
You could alternatively get someone to come to you to inspect the vehicle on your premises. Lots of HGV mechanics will do this on a Saturday or Sunday and would be happy with £35 for a couple of hours work. The VOSA approved inspection sheets are readily available to buy and they'll fill one in each time.
The final inspection before the annual MOT, put it into a dealer for a pre MOT inspection and they'll check headlamp alignment and emissions. You have no obligation to check these every inspection though you're always obliged to keep the vehicle to such a standard where it will pass any checks deedmed necessary at the roadside.
As they've pulled your vehicle once and found issues, expect a few more pulls this year to ensure you're complying!
If you went to a 4x4 and trailer, you wouldn't need an operators licence but would still need a
Tachograph and would still be liable for roadside inspections whenever VOSA feel like it.
You could alternatively get someone to come to you to inspect the vehicle on your premises. Lots of HGV mechanics will do this on a Saturday or Sunday and would be happy with £35 for a couple of hours work. The VOSA approved inspection sheets are readily available to buy and they'll fill one in each time.
The final inspection before the annual MOT, put it into a dealer for a pre MOT inspection and they'll check headlamp alignment and emissions. You have no obligation to check these every inspection though you're always obliged to keep the vehicle to such a standard where it will pass any checks deedmed necessary at the roadside.
As they've pulled your vehicle once and found issues, expect a few more pulls this year to ensure you're complying!
If you went to a 4x4 and trailer, you wouldn't need an operators licence but would still need a
Tachograph and would still be liable for roadside inspections whenever VOSA feel like it.
Thanks MJK.
If I could complete the inspections myself and then carry out the brake, emmissions & light tests every 6 months I think this would be a viable option. The Lorry is now in superb condition throughout and it failed a roadside check last time 3 days after going through its MOT, I found this strange & was disappointed it passed the MOT considering it failed a roadside inspection.
I understand the need for keeping on top of vehicle maintenance but considering this lorry does less than 5k miles P/A I find them a bit OTT especially considering its only a 7.5 tonner. Brakes I can understand as its a crucial safety component but emmissions and light tests every 6 weeks? whats different to a Transit pick up in that respect?
If I could complete the inspections myself and then carry out the brake, emmissions & light tests every 6 months I think this would be a viable option. The Lorry is now in superb condition throughout and it failed a roadside check last time 3 days after going through its MOT, I found this strange & was disappointed it passed the MOT considering it failed a roadside inspection.
I understand the need for keeping on top of vehicle maintenance but considering this lorry does less than 5k miles P/A I find them a bit OTT especially considering its only a 7.5 tonner. Brakes I can understand as its a crucial safety component but emmissions and light tests every 6 weeks? whats different to a Transit pick up in that respect?
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