As of May 21st, 2022, the rules and regulations around owing an international operator license are set to change. New EU rules mean that if you are intending to use a Light Goods Vehicle weighing more than 2.5 tonnes to transport goods for hire or reward into or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you will need a Standard International Operators’ Licence.
These rules will shortly come into effect. If you want to continue to operate in the EU hassle free and without interruption, you need to apply for an operators’ licence and select the interim option. To avoid delays in processing your application, you must ensure that you have all the following information at hand when applying:
- Your vehicle registration (number plate) and gross plated weight of each vehicle you want to have on your licence
- You will need to upload documents to demonstrate your financial standing.
- Proof that your Transport Manager has the Transport Manager CPC qualification or has been temporarily recognised as a Transport Manager. If you do not have the qualification, you might be able to be temporarily recognised as a Transport Manager if you have sufficient experience. You can expedite this process by using the service on GOV.UK.
- You will also need to show documents such as bank statements that prove that you have access to a set amount of funds to finance your business.
Unlike an application for a licence to use heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), you will not need:
- An operating centre
- To advertise your application in a local newspaper
Do you already hold an International Operators’ Licence?
If you already hold an International Operators’ Licence for HGVs, you can add extra LGVs to your existing licence.
You many need to make posting declarations for journeys to the EU
Don’t forget that if you’re transporting goods between two points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway for commercial purposes, (known as cabotage or cross trade), you must now make a “posting declaration”, which means registering the operator, driver, driver employment details, dates of travel, and the vehicle used.
This could be using HGVs, vans or other light goods vehicles of any size, or cars, whether or not you’re towing a trailer. It’ll apply if you’re moving the goods for hire or reward, or for your own business’ use.
The information you need to sign up and start declaring is available on GOV.UK. Or, you can access the EU Portal and FAQs now.
What are the penalties for not holding an International Operators’ Licence?
If you fail to hold an operators’ licence and use a goods vehicle on the road for carriage of goods for hire and reward, or are in connection with trade or business, then not only are you guilty of an offence of using a vehicle without the relevant operators’ licence, which is subject to a court fine, but you also run the risk of having the vehicle and its contents impounded. You can avoid these penalties by applying for your International Operators’ licence through a qualified Transport Manager such as JCS transport.
Cost of an International Operators’ licence
There are fees for operators’ licences and variations of those licenses. If you apply for a new licence, or make a publishable change to an existing licence, you will have to pay a one-off £254.00 application fee.
If your licence application is successful, you will then have to pay a licensing fee of £449.00 which covers a period of five years. A fee of £449.00 is also payable at the end of the five-year period if you wish to continue your existing licence.
Acquire your International Operators’ Licence through JCS transport
It is vital that you apply for your International Operators’ Licence through a qualified Transport Manager like JCS transport. We can make this process clear, quick, and simple so that you get your licence as quickly as possible and get back on the road hassle and worry free. We can also ensure your fleet remains compliant. We also offer Driver CPC Training courses. Call us now on 0333 987 4657 and speak to one of our transport consultants.
