Operators License
Author
Discussion

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

232 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Hi all...

Just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. I've tried searching various sites (DVLA and gov sites to name a few), but I've not found the info I need.

Long story to short - I work for a printer, we need to deliver a customers job from our premises to theirs. Their driver has gone off ill. We looked at hiring a 7.5 tonner to help them out, but speaking to the rental company, to move customer's goods, we need a operators license.

I have no idea how we get that or if it's worth it. I don't even know what kind of operators license it is, and the hire company wasn't exactly forthcoming with the information.

Any ideas?

Plotloss

67,280 posts

301 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Certificate of Professional Competance I think, from the Road Hauliers Association.

SS2.

14,712 posts

269 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Would it be convenient to break the job down into smaller deliveries ?

I think that, as a company, an Operator's Licence is not required to hire a vehicle which is under 3500kgs GVW.


Heebeegeetee

30,254 posts

279 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Obtaining an operators licence is quite an involved task. It means sitting an exam which requires 1-2 weeks training, then you'll have to apply for permission to use a vehicle from your site (if doing so regularly) and you'll have to meet several criteria, concerning finances and being of good repute etc.

Not worth it at all if you're just hiring a truck now and again. Best to contact a local haulier and let them shift your printer for you, i'd say.

mark69sheer

3,906 posts

233 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Operators licence is basically proof that you can operate the vehicle from your premises.
I had to do the same once when I had to deliver via a 7.5 tonner
I think you can get then from the post office.
You have to fill in details of where the vehicle can be parked.
Its more to do with making sure you aren't going to operate a 7.5 tonner from your street than anything to do with driving.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

232 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Plotloss said:
Certificate of Professional Competance I think, from the Road Hauliers Association.
Thanks for the info...think i'll just get them sent via a proper haulage firm.

Interestingly, the RHA website is a big pile of puppy poo. I ended up just phoning our local training centre who would be more than happy to take £260 off me in exchange for a bit of paper.

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

232 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies...top chaps!

mark69sheer

3,906 posts

233 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
[quote=hondafanatic]Thanks for all the replies...top chaps![/quote
update. . .

Its actually more to do with your local council than DVLA or anyone else speak to them.

probably not from your post office after all, I had mine passed to me from the haulier and then completed it and sent it off.

Davel

8,982 posts

289 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Firstly, are they not your goods until delivered and paid for?

Secondly, why not get a man and van or a carrier to take them for you?

Less hassle, probably a bit more cost but equally much easier.

You don't need an Operator's Licence for a one off job and it's not as though you run or park up a fleet of vehicles anywhere.

SS2.

14,712 posts

269 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Davel said:
You don't need an Operator's Licence for a one off job
scratchchin Are you sure ? The relevant legislation seems pretty unequivocal:

Good Vehicles Licensing of Operators Act 1995 said:
2. Obligation to hold operator’s licence.
— (1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 4, no person shall use a goods vehicle on a road for the carriage of goods—
(a) for hire or reward, or
(b) for or in connection with any trade or business carried on by him,
except under a licence issued under this Act; and in this Act such a licence is referred to as an “operator’s licence”.
Whilst there are exemptions to the section, none of these state 'if the job is just a one-off'..smile

Act here

mark69sheer

3,906 posts

233 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
When I filled mine in I had to include a scale diagram showing where the vehicles would be parked overnight.
You will need the licence if you are going to operate the vehicle from your premises.
If the haulier is going to take it away to his parking every night and you are only in effect driving it FOC then you may not need an Ops licenceSpeak to your local council.

Dwight VanDriver

6,583 posts

275 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
By the sound of it you need a Standard Operators Licence from the Traffic Commissioners as there is an element of reward (customers payment for goods)involved.

Tootaling around with bits and pieces in connection with the firm then a Restricted Licence only if there is no hire or reward element.

Details here in everyday language:

http://www.eptraining.co.uk/operators_licence/

Suggest you have a word with Traffic Commissioners of your area (details through VOSA site)to see if there is short term solution.

Be aware over 3.5tonnes one then enters the realsm of Tachograpg, Drivers Records and Hopurs of Work etc etc.

dvd

hondafanatic

Original Poster:

4,969 posts

232 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
thanks again to all...we're just going to use the haulage firm next door.