What this covers
Why you need it
Parliament created it. The power to require it comes from Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995.
What the Act carries
What our graph holds for Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 as a whole — the Act behind this licence, not the licence conditions themselves.
- Duties on businesses
- 31
- Penalties
- 24
- Exemptions
- 7
Duties on businesses under the Act
- Use goods vehicle without an operator’s licence s.2
- Use a restricted licence to carry goods for hire or reward s.3
- Exceed maximum vehicles or trailers on licence s.6
- Use operating centre not listed on HGV licence s.7
- Apply for an operator’s licence for heavy or light goods vehicles s.8
- Fail to notify traffic commissioner of conviction after licence application s.9
… and 25 more business duties in the same Act.
What happens if you get it wrong
- Forge, alter or use false operator licence documents 2 years imprisonment
- Make or alter a false document required for goods vehicle operator licensing Unlimited fine
- Fail to notify traffic commissioner of licence‑related changes Unlimited fine
- List of offences affecting goods vehicle operators Unlimited fine
- Make a false declaration to get a vehicle returned Unlimited fine
… and 19 more penalties in the same Act.
Exemptions that may take you outside it
- Exemption from full variation process via interim directions — Applicant requests an interim direction during a licence variation application
- Exemption from standard licence conditions for operators with a direction — You have received a direction under Schedule 4 paragraph 1 (transfer of operating centres) for your heavy goods vehicle licence …
- Historical actions remain valid if a licence decision is changed on review — Action taken in reliance on a decision before that decision was varied or revoked under section 36
- No unexpected licence conditions if you agreed changes with the traffic commissioner — You have applied to vary a heavy goods vehicle licence and the traffic commissioner has given a direction under paragraph …
- Protection for existing operating centres from environmental variation refusals — The place was already specified in an HGV licence on the date of application, or the applicant holds a valid …
… and 2 more exemptions in the same Act.
Read our full dossier on Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995
Who issues it
This one does not go to your council. It is issued by Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain.
Where to apply
Duty, penalty and exemption labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the enabling instrument, not the instrument itself. Fees, forms and conditions are set by the issuing authority — always check the linked source.