An operators license is required for users of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
This excludes operators based in the Isle Of Man and the Channel Islands.

The user of the vehicle is defined as:

• The Owner
• The purchaser under a HP Agreement
• Anybody leasing a vehicle
• Anybody hiring or borrowing a vehicle (even if for 1 day).

If you employ someone to drive your vehicle you are still the user of the vehicle for operating licensing purposes. It is not acceptable for owner operators to trade without an operators licence under the umbrella of another haulier.

There are three types of license:-

• Restricted - Own goods only, UK And abroad
• National - Hire and Reward in the UK
• International - Hire and Reward on an International basis