From 1st August 2022, paper applications will no longer be accepted

The Vehicle Operator Licencing (VOL) team have written to all operators to inform them that from 1 August 2022, they will no longer be accepting paper applications for new licences and for major changes to existing licences.

Many applications made on paper forms are on old, outdated forms that the team cannot accept, which delays applications. Submitting a fully completed online application with all supporting evidence cuts down on extra work for the operator and the VOL team. It means that caseworkers can deal with applications quickly and get operators on the road fully and compliant much faster.

By doing this, it lets the team be more efficient and those that use the service can get online help as they make applications.

The VOL team are constantly looking to improve the VOL system. They have grown it and developed it so that compliant businesses can apply for a licence, make major changes to it, continue (renew) their licence and if they need to, surrender the licence online. Most applications (94%) are being made using this faster digital service.

For these reasons, from 1 August 2022 operators will not be able to submit major variations to their licence using paper GV81 forms. All major changes must be applied for online.

Those operators who already have a VOL digital account, you must use your existing account to apply online.

If you do not already have a VOL digital account, you must create one now to ensure you are ready to make future major changes to your licence online. You can create an account at:

Please be aware that paper applications will be returned unactioned after 1 August 2022.

The VOL team’s overall aim is to reduce application-processing times.  Once this is in place, they will look at further opportunities for moving other licensing services online.

Why not read another blog post about driving and section 88?