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.

Contact our Transport Team today.

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Anton Balkitis, Partner in Rothera Bray's Motoring and Transport Law department

“Our experienced and specialist team represent clients nationally on a day-to-day basis”

Anton Balkitis
Head of Transport Law

If you’re happy then we’re happy too.

Contact our Transport Team
Transport Team
Natalie Abbott, Employment Law Partner at Rothera Bray

Natalie Abbott

Partner

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 in Rothera Bray's Motoring and Transport Law department

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, Transport and Motoring Barrister at 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

Georgina Power

Solicitor

Georgina Power is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Transport team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Aleksandra Chrusciel

Aleksandra Chrusciel

Paralegal

Aleksandra Chrusciel is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Transport department and is based at our Nottingham office.

Rebeca Large-Rodriguez, Paralegal in Rothera Bray's Commercial Property team

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.

Chelsea Sewell is a transport paralegal at Rothera Bray

Chelsey Sewell

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.

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