SIC 49.41 46,155 enterprises in the UK
Freight transport by road
What this covers (20 activity descriptions)
- Bulk haulage in tanker trucks
- Bulk haulage milk collection at farms
- Bulk road haulage
- Car delivery service (by independent contractors)
- Car delivery service (by motor manufacturers)
- Carrier (for general hire or reward)
- Cartage contractor
- Commercial vehicle hire with driver
- Concrete haulage by a unit which is (not the manufacturer)
- Concrete mixer lorry rental
- Freight transportation within industrial units (fee or contract basis)
- Freight transport by animal-drawn vehicles
- Freight transport by man-drawn vehicles
- Freight transport operation by road
- Haulage in tanker trucks by road
- Haulage of automobiles by road
- Haulage of logs by road
- Heavy haulage by road
- Milk collection by tanker
- Motor vehicle collection
What you must comply with
Unique to freight transport by road
Goods vehicle operator licence (O-licence)
Required for goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW or smaller vehicles used for hire or reward. Standard National, Standard International, or Restricted licence. Must demonstrate financial standing (£8,000 first vehicle, £4,450 each additional).
Transport manager CPC
Standard licence holders must nominate a transport manager with CPC qualification. Must be of good repute and continuously and effectively manage transport operations.
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
All professional LGV drivers must hold valid Driver CPC. 35 hours periodic training every 5 years. Up to £1,000 fine for driving without valid CPC.
Tachograph compliance
Mandatory for most goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Max 9 hours daily driving (10 hours twice per week). Download driver card every 28 days, vehicle unit every 90 days. Records retained at least 1 year.
ADR certificate (dangerous goods by road)
Drivers carrying dangerous goods must hold ADR vocational training certificate. Valid for 5 years. 18-24 hours initial training. Covers 9 hazard classes.
Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS)
DVSA assigns risk scores based on roadside encounter history. Higher scores trigger more frequent roadside checks and operator visits. Scored on roadworthiness and traffic enforcement.
Applies to all freight transport by road and removal services
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
General duties to employees, passengers, and others. HSENI enforces in Northern Ireland.
Employers' Liability Insurance
Required for all employers. Sole traders with no employees exempt.
RIDDOR 2013 (Accident Reporting)
Must report deaths, specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitations, dangerous occurrences, and occupational diseases.
UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
Must register with ICO unless exempt. Applies to passenger data, CCTV, employee records.
Equality Act 2010 (Accessible Transport)
Duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled passengers. Transport-specific provisions in Part 12.
Guidance for this activity
Running a maritime business
How to register ships with the UK Ship Register and comply with maritime regulations. Covers ship registration, seafarer certification, ISM Code compliance, and maritime security requirements.
Read guideGet an operator's licence for goods vehicles
How to apply for an O-licence to operate goods vehicles for business. Covers Standard and Restricted licences, financial standing, transport manager requirements, and ongoing compliance including tachographs and drivers' hours.
Read guideAviation cargo security compliance
How to become a Known Consignor or Regulated Agent for air cargo. Covers CAA certification, security vetting requirements, cargo screening, and dangerous goods training.
Read guideVehicle Type Approval
Get type approval for vehicles manufactured or imported into GB.
Read guideSet Up an MOT Testing Station
Become a DVSA Authorised Examiner to conduct MOT tests.
Read guideRun an MOT Testing Station
Maintain DVSA compliance, manage testers, handle inspections, and avoid disciplinary action as an MOT Authorised Examiner.
Read guideVehicle Dealer Regulation
Understand FCA authorisation, consumer rights, and trading standards for motor dealers.
Read guideEV Charging Infrastructure
Install EV chargepoints and access government grants.
Read guideGoods Vehicle Operator Licensing
Understand O-licence requirements for operating goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Read guideDriver CPC Requirements
Understand Driver Certificate of Professional Competence requirements for HGV and bus drivers.
Read guideTachographs and Drivers' Hours
Understand tachograph requirements and drivers' hours rules for goods vehicle operations.
Read guideTransporting Dangerous Goods (ADR)
Comply with ADR regulations for transporting dangerous goods by road.
Read guideVehicle Maintenance and MOT
Understand vehicle maintenance standards and MOT requirements for goods vehicles.
Read guideApply for development consent for major infrastructure
How to apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Covers the 6-stage application process, NSIP thresholds, community consultation requirements, examination procedures, and the Section 35 route for business projects of national significance.
Read guideAvoid overloading and secure your loads
How to comply with load security requirements and avoid overloading offences. Covers the DVSA code of practice, maximum weight limits, shared duty between operator, driver, and loader, and penalties for non-compliance.
Read guideClean Air Zones and emission requirements for goods vehicles
How Clean Air Zones affect goods vehicle operators. Covers the CAZ classification framework, current zones and charges by vehicle type, Euro emission standards, London LEZ/ULEZ/Congestion Charge, and options for managing compliance costs.
Read guideInsurance for goods vehicle operators
What insurance goods vehicle operators need. Covers mandatory motor fleet insurance under the Road Traffic Act 1988, goods in transit cover, CMR liability for international carriage, and when to move from individual policies to a fleet policy.
Read guideVehicle excise duty and HGV Levy for goods vehicles
Current VED rates for heavy goods vehicles by weight band and axle configuration, and the status of the HGV Road User Levy.
Read guideCompliance for van and light goods vehicle operators
What applies when operating vans and light goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. Vans do not need an operator licence but must meet motor insurance, MOT, road tax, Clean Air Zone, driving licence, and loading requirements under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Read guideSmart tachograph requirements and transition
Smart tachograph v2 requirements, the transition from analogue and digital units, retrofit deadlines for international and domestic vehicles, and how UK requirements have diverged from EU rules since Brexit.
Read guide