Apply for a vehicle operator licence
Vehicles that are exempt
Goods vehicles
You do not need a goods vehicle operator licence if any of the following apply to your vehicle:
- it was first used before 1977, has an unladen weight of 1,525 kilograms or less and a maximum gross plated weight over 3,500 kilograms
- it’s using public roads for less than 6 miles a week whilst moving between private land belonging to the same person as the vehicle
- it’s being used for excavation or demolition
- it’s being used on trade plates
- it’s being used to transport passengers
Find out more about goods vehicles that are exempt.
Exempt vehicles
You do not need an operator licence for:
- military vehicles
- snow ploughs and gritters
- emergency service vehicles (including those used by gas, electricity, water and telephone companies)
- hearses
- recovery vehicles (only if they’re used exclusively for that purpose)
- tractors and agricultural vehicles used in certain circumstances
Vehicles that are not exempt
You need an operator licence for:
- mobile exhibition vehicles
- catering vehicles
- mobile shops
- mobile medical screening vehicles
- vehicles that have equipment fixed or bolted down and are carrying goods that are not essential for the equipment to work
- towing a trailer that’s carrying goods