Advances in the Operator Licence System

The operator licence system for both Road Haulage and Passenger operators was really old and not keeping within the times, but after a recent Manager CPC training session this summer covering the changes within the industry, I thought it wise to cover this in more detail.

Before the new system was introduced the route to applying for an operator licence or changing it in anyway, involved a series of forms being filled out and some very long lead times when granting licences. This caused a lot of downtime for businesses.

For road haulage operators a GV79 form would be used to apply for the operator licence along with a TM1 & TM1G. A maintenance contract GV79D, whole front page and specific page of the local news paper advert, evidence of financial standing and original certification for the transport manager, was put in the post to the Office Of The Traffic Commissioner in Leeds. If you wanted to change anything within your operator licence, new operating centre, additional vehicles beyond the margin, a GV81 major change would need to be completed. Adding or removing vehicles within the margin would involve the GV80. Changes to a CPC holder, changes to the type of operator licence was a GV80A.

If you wanted the opportunity of operating vehicles while the Traffic Commissioner was considering the application an INT1 would also need to be completed.

For passenger operators a PSV 421 form would be used to apply for the operator licence along with a TM1 & TM1G. If you wanted to change anything within your operator licence, new operating centre, additional vehicles beyond the margin, a PSV431 major change would need to be completed. Adding or removing vehicles within the margin would involve the PSV431A. Changes to a CPC holder, changes to the type of operator licence was a PSV431A.

Paper work is a thing of the past!

However, everything has now changed and thanks to modern technology we can now cover any potential changes all online. Back in November 2016 a new portal was created to allow operators the opportunity to carry out any adjustments with ease and in the comfort of their offices.

Lead times have been greatly reduced, time saved in the application processes and less paper being used also had a massive environmental benefit too.

The new self service system includes a range of features, some of which have been added since its introduction in 2016.

• Add/remove vehicles in respect of any individual licence
• If you hold a licence in more than one Traffic Area, you can transfer vehicles between these licences
• You can change your correspondence address records and trading name
• Add/remove directors (limited companies only)
• Add/remove partners (partnership licences only)
• Add/remove transport manager (standard national or standard international licences only)
• Add/remove operating centre(s) and/or increase/decrease authority
• View and print an advert template for O licence applications
• You can opt to receive correspondence from DVSA electronically when registering for self-service, instead of through the post.
• You will be notified by e-mail to check your correspondence within the self-service system when something has been placed there
• You can pay on-line with Visa credit/debit card for your operator licence fees when due.

You can also read about our compliance guide for LGVs in Europe.