As part of the UK agreement with the European Union following the UK’s departure from the EU, businesses and individuals using light commercial vehicles or cars to transport goods in and out of the UK might need to obtain an international operator’s licence from 21 May 2022.
The change affects light commercial vehicles (LCVs or vans), vans and trailers and cars and trailers where the vehicle has a maximum authorised mass (MAM – sometimes known as gross vehicle weight or GVW) exceeding 2,500kg up to 3,500kg. For car and trailer or van and trailer combinations where the gross train weight (GTW – the maximum permitted total weight of the vehicle and trailer) exceeds 2,500kg, up to a maximum of 3,500kg, the same rule will apply.
The change will only affect vehicles or combinations of vehicles and trailers used to transport goods for hire or reward. That means where you are paid or receive payment in kind for carrying goods for other people.
The new rules will not apply to vehicles and vehicle and trailer combinations that are only used in the UK, or if you are carrying goods not for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. For example, a plumber or electrician carrying their own goods and equipment to carry out work for themselves would not be covered by the new rules.
LCVs with a MAM exceeding 3,500kg are already covered by operator licensing rules both in the UK and in the EU as are vehicles and trailers with a GTW exceeding 3,500kg.
Vehicles covered by the new rules would also need to be fitted with a tachograph and drivers’ hours rules would also apply, but only from 1 July 2026. There is no requirement for vehicles to be fitted with a tachograph from 21 May 2022.
Anyone who thinks they might be affected by the new rules should seek legal advice from a transport law specialist. Members of the Road Haulage Association or Logistics UK should be able to find suitable advice from these organisations.
Government guidance on the changes due from 21 May can be found here.
