Goods Vehicles Operator’s Licences
Importance of an Operator’s Licence
An Operator’s Licence must be obtained by the “user” of the vehicle for all the vehicles they intend to “use”.
Operator Licensing requires that in the case of restricted licences, applicants are fit and proper persons that are of appropriate financial standing.
For standard licences, national and international and also for national transport operations, applicants must be of good repute, of appropriate financial standing, be professionally competent and employ a person who is also professionally competent.
How we help with gaining your Operator’s Licence
Before granting an Operator’s Licence, the Applicant must be of “good repute”. We can advise upon past record and convictions and rehabilitation. The position of a Company and Individuals convicted of offences may also require careful consideration before applying.
Traffic Commissioners do not look solely at convictions and circumstances surrounding particular offences but will also look at conduct involved. We can also advise on issues such as “fronting” and how the Traffic Commissioner treats hiring and lending of the licence.
Adherence to financial standing is a mandatory requirement and we can also advise on levels of finance required and how holders of Operator’s Licences can satisfy the Traffic Commissioner upon financial standing. It is fundamental that the Operator has funds to demonstrate that it is of appropriate financial standing, rather than financial resources being elsewhere. The burden of satisfying financial standing remains upon the Operator and we can advise and assist to how financial standing might be met where the Office of the Traffic Commissioner may have raised concerns.
We can also advise on how a designated Transport Manager must meet the requirements of Operator Licensing, giving “continuous and effective responsibility” for the management of the operations of the business that relate to carriage of goods. We can advise upon the issues of good repute and professional competence of a Transport Manager and deal with any representations to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner where the Traffic Commissioner may have concerns over the repute or competence of a Transport Manager.
Operator Licence exemptions
Some vehicles are exempt from an Operator’s Licence and we can also advise upon vehicle exemptions. We can assist with the application for the Operator’s Licence, or if the Operator wishes to change the type of vehicle or change of a Transport Manager or the addition of a new Operating Centre. We can also advise upon the surrender of the licence and provide legal representation at an Operator Licensing Public Inquiry. We represent at both environmental and disciplinary Public Inquiries.
For further information on Operator Licensing contact our Specialist Road Transport Law Solicitors on 03456 465 465.
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Anton Balkitis
Head of Transport Law
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Posted 14 October 2025
Many thanks to Nelissa Hicks at Rothera and Bray Loughborough for her extremely thorough and efficient support. We found her service to be professional, reliable and friendly.
R Williams
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Posted 14 October 2025
Following the sad loss of my mother we sort the professional services of Rothera Bray in particular Nelissa Hicks. Since our very first face to face meeting with Nelissa and her colleague both my husband and I felt confident and thoroughly informed of the process we were now undertaking. We were contacted regularly with updates and any query raised was dealt with by Nelissa immediately. This gave us peace of mind at a difficult time. We were so impressed with the team at Rothera Bray that we are using their conveyancing department for a house sale too which has proved to us the professionalism is throughout the company. I would highly recommend this company if you need sound advice from a pro active, trustworthy solicitor.
S Garner
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Posted 13 October 2025
A very positive experience from start to finish. Georgina was very helpful and gave great communication and advice. We were pleased with every aspect of the service we received.
Sarah B
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Posted 11 October 2025
Julekha was our solicitor for the purchase of our first home, and she was absolutely outstanding. She made the entire process smooth, efficient, and completely stress-free—it honestly felt like everything was taken care of with minimal effort on our part...Huge thanks to Julekha and the team at Rothera Bray—we couldn’t recommend them more highly for anyone buying a home!
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Posted 9 October 2025
I recently used this firm to deal with my late aunts estate. They were very knowledgeable, efficient and approachable. The whole process was explained in detail and I was kept updated along the way. A special mention goes to Sarah Simpson as her customer service was excellent. She dealt with everything I asked or needed doing straight away and I trusted her completely to do what she said she would. A rarity in this day and age. I would highly recommend this firm of solicitors .
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Posted 8 October 2025
A truly professional service, Carolyn, Kerry and Team, always returned my calls and emails and were able to help us have a smooth sale of our property, will definitely use again.
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Ian Winning
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Posted 3 October 2025
Laura was our brilliant solicitor, who helped us with buying our first house together. Laura was so attentive and compassionate and nothing was ever too much trouble for her to help us with our buying process. Our experience was brilliant from start to finish and we were really happy with the communication too. I would recommend Laura and Rothera Bray to others too. A huge thank you!
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Posted 3 October 2025
I am dealing with Rothera Bray for the sale of my house and, hopefully, soon to use my next purchase of a bungalow. All communication with them have been professional. I recommend anybody else to use there services.
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Natalie Abbott
Partner & Head of Employment
Natalie works in our Nottingham office. She is a Partner and Employment Law specialist with over 10 years’ experience representing both businesses and individuals across a range of employment services including settlement agreements, discrimination, dismissals and redundancy.
Anton Balkitis
Partner & Head of Transport
Anton Balkitis leads the Transport Law team and is a nationally recognised Transport and Motoring Law specialist at Nottingham-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors.
Olivia Maginn
Barrister & Senior Associate
Olivia Maginn is a transport and motoring law specialist at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Georgina Power
Associate Solicitor
Georgina Power is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Transport team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.
Chelsey Sewell
Managing Paralegal
Chelsey Sewell is a paralegal in Rothera Bray’s transport and motorist offence department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office in the city centre.
Rebeca Large-Rodriguez
Paralegal
Rebeca Large-Rodriguez is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Transport and Motorist Offence department and is based at our Lace Market office.
Transport Manager Keeps Good Repute at Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry
Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry Eastbourne January 2021 We were instructed by a Transport Manager called to a Public Inquiry by the Traffic Commissioner. The Transport Manager had been an external Transport Manager on an operators’ licence held by a single vehicle bus company. Despite being granted a licence, the business had not in fact started […]Posted on 17th February 2021