OPERATOR LICENCE
We provide assistance with new applications, variations and retention of your Northern Ireland Operator's Licence
Who needs a Northern Ireland Goods Vehicle Operator Licence?
You need an Operator’s Licence if you want to use a vehicle over 3.5tonnes (3500kg) plated weight for the purpose of carrying of goods in conjunction with a trade or business. The licence is required whether or not goods carriage is for hire or reward.
The Operator Licence should be in the name of the user of the vehicles and this should be in the name (Sole Trader), names (Partnership) or Business Name (Limited Company) of the user.
You are considered the user if you are:
- The driver and owner of the vehicle
- You are operating the vehicle under a hire agreement, hire purchase or loan arrangement
- The driver is your employee or agent (ie. you pay them to drive the vehicle for you)
Types of Northern Ireland Goods Vehicle Operator Licence?
There are three types of HGV Operator Licences:
- Restricted Operators Licence – Allows the licence holder to carry their own goods, in connection with their business, within the UK . The licence holder must not carry goods belonging to another for hire or reward.
- Standard National Operators Licence – Allows the licence holder to carry their own goods, in connection with their business, or goods belonging to another, for hire or reward, within the UK.
- Standard International Operators Licence – Allows the licence holder to carry their own goods, in connection with their business, or goods belonging to another, for hire or reward, within the UK and throughout Europe.
Requirements of a Northern Ireland Goods Vehicle Operator Licence?
In Northern Ireland, Operator Licences are issued by the Department for Infrastructure and responsibilities are overseen by the Transport Regulation Unit in accordance with the Goods Vehicles Licensing of Operators Act (Northern Ireland) 2010. In order to qualify for an Operator Licence, you must satisfy the Department as to the following:
- You are of good repute and fit to hold a licence.
- You are of good financial standard ie have enough money to run your business.
- You have suitable arrangements in place to maintain your vehicles.
- That you and your staff are capable and willing to obey all of the rules.
In addition, for Standard National and Standard International Operator Licence holders, you must demonstrate that:
- You are properly established within the UK
- You employ internally or contract externally, a Transport Manager who is professionally competent and of good repute.
- You must have access to at least one vehicle, either through ownership or have in place, a contract for a hire, hire purchase or a loan agreement.
Northern Ireland Transport Managers
For Standard National and Standard International Operators, you must either; employ an internal Transport Manager or contract a freelance, or External Transport Manager to manage the Transport Undertakings of your business.
Transport Managers must be professionally competent and be of good repute. NI Transport & Training can assist you with supply of an External Transport Manager as well as assist with the training of your Internal Transport Manager.
Internal Transport Manager must:
- Have a genuine link to the operator either as a contracted employee, director or owner.
- Be resident in the UK or an EU Country.
- Effectively and continuously perform their role for the operator in question.
External Transport Manager must:
- Have a contract in place with the Operator highlighting the role they must perform.
- Be resident in the UK or an EU Country.
- Act solely in the interests of the Operator and independently of transport customers.
- Be professionally competent and of good repute.
- Work for no more than 4 operators with a combined total fleet of 50 vehicles.
Whilst Restricted Operators are not obliged to have a Transport Manager in place, the responsibilities are no less applicable and it is advisable that Restricted Operators have in place a competent member of internal staff to take responsibility for the Transport Undertakings or seek the services of a Transport Consultant to provide advice and guidance on remaining compliant and regular auditing of the Transport function of your business.
Why Choose Us?
NI Transport & Training have extensive first-hand industry experience both with new Operator Licence applications and experience with successful variations to existing licences within Northern Ireland, as well as experience auditing and advising Operators on how to remain compliant as per the terms of their Operator Licence.
