Being a goods vehicle operator

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Overview

You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your business uses goods vehicles above a certain weight.

The rules are different if you’re in Northern Ireland.

There are 3 different types of licence - what you need depends on the work you do.

You must also make sure that any drivers you use or employ have the correct licence and training. All vehicles that you use should be correctly taxed and kept safe and in good condition at all times.

Check if you need a licence

Whether you need a licence depends on:

  • the weight of your vehicle or your vehicle and trailer together
  • whether you are carrying goods for hire or reward in Europe

Some goods vehicles do not need an operator’s licence - read more about the exemptions.

Motor vehicles

You need a licence to carry goods in a lorry, van or other vehicle with either:

  • a gross plated weight (the maximum weight that the vehicle can have at any one time) of over 3,500 kilograms (kg)
  • an unladen weight of more than 1,525 kg (where there is no plated weight)

Motor vehicles and trailers

You need a licence for a motor vehicle and trailer combination if:

  • the motor vehicle and the trailer(s) are plated and the total of their gross plated weights is more than 3,500 kg
  • the total unladen weight of the vehicle and trailer combination is more than 1,525 kg

You do not need an operator’s licence if your trailer’s unladen weight is less than 1,020 kg and you only carry your own goods.

Vehicles carrying goods for hire or reward in Europe

You’ll need a standard international licence if you’re carrying other people’s goods for hire or reward (such as working as a courier or freight transport business) in Europe when using:

  • vehicles that meet the weight limits for motor vehicles or motor vehicle and trailer combinations
  • vans with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) over 2,500 kg
  • vans towing a trailer with a gross train weight (GTW) over 2,500 kg
  • cars towing a trailer with a GTW over 2,500 kg

This applies in:

  • the EU
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Switzerland

Find out more about the rules for transporting goods in Europe using cars or vans and trailers, and check if they affect you.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Transport goods out of the UK by road: step by step

  1. Step 1 Apply for operator licences and permits

    1. You are currently viewing: Check if you need a vehicle operator licence
    2. Apply for a vehicle operator licence

    You'll need other licences and permits, depending on the countries you're driving to or through.

    1. Check which licences and permits you need

  2. Step 2 Register and get approval for your vehicle

    You may need to register your trailer to drive through or to the EU if it weighs over 750kg.

    1. Register your trailer to take it abroad

    You’ll need to get specialist vehicle approvals to transport any of the following:

  3. Step 3 Make sure your driver is eligible to drive abroad

    1. Check your driver has the documents they need to drive abroad

    The driver must carry these documents with them.

  4. Step 4 Check the rules for the goods you're carrying

    1. Find out what you need to do if you're exporting your own goods

    There are rules for transporting certain goods. Your driver may need to follow set routes or stop at specific check points. Check the rules for:

    1. Find out what you need to apply for if you’re moving goods temporarily out of the UK

    If you're transporting goods outside the EU they must have been cleared by customs (given ‘permission to progress’). The exporter can tell you if this has happened.

  5. Step 5 Make sure your driver has the right export documents

    Your driver will need copies of:

    • any export licences
    • the road consignment note (‘CMR note’)
    • the Movement Reference Number (MRN) from the export declaration - if you're moving goods out of the EU
    • the MRN and the Local Reference Number (LRN) - if you're moving goods under the Common Transit convention (CTC)
    • the ATA Carnet document - if you're moving goods out of the EU temporarily
    • the TiR Carnet document - if you’re moving goods in a sealed load compartment with a seal number

    The exporter should be able to give all of these to you.

    You'll also need to have a customs seal approval certificate for the vehicle if you’re moving goods in a sealed load compartment. You'll get this when your vehicle passes the TiR test.

    You may need to use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) to move goods through some ports.

    1. Check how to move goods through ports that use the GVMS

  6. Step 6 Find out what vehicle documents your driver needs to carry

    1. Check what HGV and trailer documents your driver must carry
    2. Check what driving documents your driver must carry

  7. Step 7 Check you are ready for the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel or Holyhead

    You may need to attend an inland border facility if you're leaving from the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel or Holyhead.

    1. Check whether you need to attend an inland border facility

  8. Step 8 Check local road rules

    1. Check the road rules for European countries on the AA website
    2. Check travel advice for countries outside Europe

    When you have your documents, insurance and any extra equipment you need, you can transport goods abroad.