Goods vehicle operator’s licence

Companies that use vehicles over a certain weight are required to hold a goods vehicle operator’s licence. If you operate a business that requires its goods vans to carry over 3,500 kilograms in weight (1,525 kilograms unladen weight) then you will need such a licence.

Dependant on what work you do, there are 3 types of licence that you may require:

1.      Standard licence

This allows you to carry your own goods and other people’s goods around Great Britain. You will be allowed to transport loaded trailers to ports and back from ports if it is part of a larger international trip, but the vehicles will not be allowed to leave the country.

2.      Standard licence – national/international

This licence allows to carry both your own and other peoples goods in Great Britainand internationally. With this licence you can request a community licence that enables you to travel between EU member countries.

3.      Restricted licence

This licence allows you to carry your own goods only. Providing you pay your fee every 5yrs and adhere to the rules then this licence will just roll over and continue. You will need to let the licence agency know of any changes and make sure that they have the correct information.

If you need to transport goods outside the EU then you will need to contact the IRFO (International Road Freight Office).

You will also need to make sure that any drivers you employ or hire have the correct licences and training for a goods vehicle. Apart from a medical report, they will need to have passed theory and hazard perception tests and a practical driving test.

The theory test is made up of 2 parts and can be taken in either order. One is multiple choice and the other a hazard perception test. Once you have passed both of these parts you will receive a theory test number that you will need to provide before you can take the practical test. The theory test will be valid for 2yrs.

The practical part of the test will last around 90 minutes and an example of what it will include is as follows:

·        How you deal with any hazards

·        Giving appropriate signals

·        Show that you are noticing and anticipating other road users’ movements

·        Have control of your vehicles speed

·        Choosing a safe place to stop the vehicle

·        Show you can fully use the controls

·        You can move away uphill and downhill- at an angle

·        Correct use of the mirrors      

·        Reverse into a bay using the “S” shape manoeuvre

Lorry drivers will also need to pass the Driver CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) and will be called LGVs (Large Goods Vehicles) for licensing purposes. Any business needing a goods vehicle operator’s licence must also have appropriate insurance policies in place.

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Does Taxi Insurance Differ Between City and Country?

-->Where you run your business will greatly affect your taxi insurance. If you are a one man show that offers a transportation service in the country you will pay less than if you were a black cab in the heart of London.

Many feel it unfair that the premium prices vary so dramatically depending on location, but in reality you will find a lot more accidents in London than you will in a small village area or town on the outskirts of the city.

There are other aspects that will influence your premium as well. If you are the sole driver for your company you will pay dramatically less than if you had a fleet of vehicles with a host of drivers. Each driver adds to the premium, so if you are a sole driver and need assistance, ensure that the driver you choose to help you has a clean driving license and is over twenty five years old, so they are not considered a risk to the broker.

The reason that drivers under twenty five are considered such a risk to brokers is that a majority of accidents on the UK roads are caused by younger drivers. You will also need to take your own driving license into consideration. In order to keep your premiums to a minimum to you will need a clean driving license, if you have a private no claims bonus from before you started your business, this will help reassure the broker that you are a safe and risk free driver.

Whether you work in the city areas or in the quiet and picturesque countryside, there is one more way to ensure you pay a lower premium. For companies that only transport planned drives, for example if you only accept transport for customers who phone in to book, you reduce your premium.

Companies that will pick up anyone on the side of the road and transport them to their destination is considered a higher risk. Now it's obvious that you cannot always control this, but if you try and ensure that you only transport planned bookings, it won't matter where you are located, your premium will be reduced.

Try and keep the number of drivers you have on the policy to a minimum even if you are a company in the heart of a bustling city. The less drivers you add, the lower your premium will be. Try and co-ordinate your drivers working hours to maximise their workload and reduce the number of drivers you need on a daily basis, this way you can enjoy reduced taxi insurance whether you are in the city or villages.