Transport & Logistics

Get an operator's licence for goods vehicles

You need an operator's licence to use goods vehicles over 3,500kg gross plated weight for hire or reward or for your business, and for some vans on international hire or reward work. A standard licence needs good repute, financial standing, a qualified transport manager and an operating centre.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Prepare for a Traffic Commissioner public inquiry

A Traffic Commissioner can call you to a public inquiry to decide whether to act against your goods vehicle operator licence. You get at least 21 days' notice. Show that your systems now work, attend in person, and lodge any appeal with the Upper Tribunal within one month.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Compliance 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.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Clean Air Zones and emission requirements for goods vehicles

Clean Air Zones in England charge non-compliant vehicles a daily fee, and classes B, C and D all cover HGVs. Diesels meeting Euro 6/VI and petrol vehicles meeting Euro 4 avoid the charge. London runs separate schemes through Transport for London, and Scotland's low emission zones issue penalty charge notices.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

DVSA Enforcement and Your Operator Compliance Risk Score

Understand how DVSA uses the Operator Compliance Risk Score to target enforcement, what Green, Amber and Red ratings mean for your business, and practical steps to improve your score through better compliance.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Insurance for goods vehicle operators

Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires every vehicle on a public road to have at least third-party insurance, fleets included. Goods in transit cover is not a legal requirement, but most contracts demand it. Internationally, the CMR Convention limits carrier liability to 8.33 Special Drawing Rights per kilogramme.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Get licences and insurance to run a taxi or private hire business

The driver, the vehicle and, for private hire, the operator each need a licence from the same council, and every vehicle carrying paying passengers needs hire and reward insurance. Knowingly operating a private hire vehicle without the right licence is an offence.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Crew your UK ship with certified, fit seafarers

A company crewing a seagoing UK-registered ship must make sure officers and key ratings hold the right STCW certificates, every seafarer has a valid medical certificate, the ship carries the manning its Safe Manning Document sets, and seafarers' employment meets Maritime Labour Convention standards.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Apply for your taxi or private hire licences

Apply for the licences that fit your role as driver, vehicle owner or operator, and get each one before you carry a fare. The steps follow the order an owner-driver applies in. London, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own licensing bodies.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Licensing and safety for rail operators

To run trains on Great Britain's mainline, you need an operating licence and a safety certificate from the Office of Rail and Road, and a track access agreement it has approved. Carrying dangerous goods also requires RID compliance.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Run port or cargo-handling services

If you run a harbour, berth or terminal where ships load and unload, you must meet the national standard for port marine safety and, where ships on international voyages call, port security rules. That means a designated duty holder, an approved port facility security plan and a security officer.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Choose your taxi or private hire business model

Decide between a taxi, a private hire vehicle and taking bookings before you apply. Your choice sets your licences and how you work with drivers.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Duties to passengers for taxi and private hire drivers

Know your duties to disabled passengers, including wheelchair users and people with assistance dogs, and the limits on what you can charge.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Get licensed to run a bus or coach business

To carry fare-paying passengers in a vehicle for nine or more people, you need a PSV operator licence from the traffic commissioner, or a permit if you run not for profit. A local bus service must also be registered before it starts, and buses on local or scheduled services must be accessible.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Register and operate a sea-going ship

Every commercially operated ship must be registered on the UK Ship Register and surveyed and certified before it sails. Passenger ships and larger cargo ships on international voyages must also run a safety management system under the ISM Code.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Run airport ground services and meet air cargo security rules

If you operate an airport, handle aircraft or passengers on the ground, or move air cargo through the secure supply chain, you must meet the aviation security rules the Civil Aviation Authority enforces. Airport operators also need a safety certificate or licence, and the largest airports an economic licence.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Run passenger or freight services on inland and categorised waters

To run passenger or freight boats on canals, rivers, estuaries or harbours, you need a licence from the navigation authority that controls the water. The person in charge must hold an MCA Boatmaster's Licence, and accidents must be reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Freight forwarding and customs representation

If you make customs declarations for clients, you act as their direct or indirect representative, and indirect representation makes you jointly liable for the duty. Storing goods with duty suspended needs a customs warehousing authorisation from HMRC, and moving dangerous goods above thresholds needs a dangerous goods safety adviser.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Operate a pipeline safely

You must notify the HSE before you build a pipeline and keep a written safety management system once it runs. A pipeline carrying a dangerous fluid is a major accident hazard pipeline, which you cannot operate until you have a prevention document and emergency arrangements in place.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Operate a rail terminal or station

If you manage and operate a station or a freight terminal on Great Britain's mainline railway, you must keep a safety management system and hold a safety authorisation from the Office of Rail and Road before trains use it. Passenger facilities also carry accessibility duties.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.