"Land transport" covers very different businesses, each with its own regulator. This path takes you through it in order. First work out which rules apply to you. Then put the duties every operator shares in place. Then follow the licensing regime for your mode. And finish by checking you have covered everything.
Step 1 — Work out which rules apply
Identify whether you are a road haulier, a bus or coach operator, a taxi or private hire business, a rail operator or a pipeline operator. Each has a different regulator and licensing regime.
Step 2 — Put the shared workplace duties in place
Every land transport business must manage health and safety, accident reporting, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection before it begins operating.
Step 3 — Follow the licensing regime for your mode
Now work through the guide for your kind of operation. If more than one applies, follow each relevant guide.
If you move goods by road
Get a goods vehicle operator's licence and meet the DVSA driver, tachograph and maintenance regimes.
If you carry passengers by bus or coach
Get a PSV operator licence, register local services, and meet the accessibility and Driver CPC requirements.
If you run taxis or private hire vehicles
License your vehicles, drivers and (for private hire) your booking operation with the council, with enhanced DBS checks.
If you move passengers or freight by rail
Get an ORR operating licence, a safety certificate or authorisation, and an approved network access agreement.
If you transport products by pipeline
Notify the HSE, run a safety management system, meet COMAH where it applies, and hold the right environmental permits.
Step 4 — Confirm you are compliant
Work through the land transport compliance checklist to confirm every obligation that applies to your operation is in place.