FAQ and Downloads
Q. When would I need an operators licence?
A. When the vehicles you wish to operate exceed 3,500 kgs gross vehicle weight.
Q. I only move my own goods, do I need a an Operator Licence?
A. You will require a Restricted Operator Licence and will not need a CPC holder. However, you cannot carry other peoples goods for Hire
and Reward under any circumstances.
Q. I drive a 3.5 tonne van. Do I have to adhere to any Rules?
A. Yes, you are obliged to comply with the GB Domestic Hours Rules. These rules are defined as a driver being able to drive for 10 hours
and to remain on duty for no more than 11 hours from the start of duty in a 24 hour working day.
Q. What is the maximum weekly driving limit under EU Hours Rules?
A. You can extend your daily driving time to 10 hours twice per week. Therefore your maximum weekly driving limit in a fixed week would be
56 hours, made up of 4 x 9 hours plus 2 x 10 hours.
Q. Can a driver exceed his hours during an emergency situation?
A. Provided that road safety is not jeopardised, and to enable a driver to reach a suitable stopping place, a departure
from the EU rules may be permitted to the extent necessary to ensure the safety of persons, the vehicle or its load. Drivers must note all
the reasons for doing so on the back of their tachograph record sheets (if using an analogue tachograph) or on a printout or temporary
sheet (if using a digital tachograph) at the latest on reaching the suitable stopping place. Repeated and regular occurrences, however,
might indicate to enforcement officers that employers were not in fact scheduling work to enable compliance with the applicable rules.
A judgment by the European Court of Justice dated 9 November 1995 provides a useful guide to how this provision should be interpreted. It can apply only in cases where it unexpectedly becomes impossible to comply with the rules on drivers' hours during the course of a journey. In other words, planned breaches of the rules are not allowed. This means that when an unforeseen event occurs, it would be for the driver to decide whether it was necessary to depart from the rules. In doing so, a driver would have to take into account the need to ensure road safety in the process (e.g. when driving a vehicle carrying an abnormal load under the Special Types regulations) and any instruction that may be given by an enforcement officer (e.g. when under police escort).
Some examples of such events are, delays caused by severe weather, road traffic accidents, mechanical breakdowns, interruptions of ferry services and any event that causes or is likely to cause danger to the life or health of people or animals. Note that this concession only allows for drivers to reach a suitable stopping place, not necessarily to complete their planned journey. Drivers and operators would be expected to re-schedule any disrupted work to remain in compliance with the EU rules.
Useful Guides and Forms available for download
| LGV | GV262 Rules on Drivers' Hours and Tachographs - Goods vehicles in the UK and Europe |
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| LGV | GV74 Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing Guide for Operators |
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| LGV | Safety of Loads on Vehicles - Code of Practice (Third edition) |
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| LGV | European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport |
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| PCV | PSV437 Public Service Vehicle Operator Licensing Guide for Operators |
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| PCV | PSV375 Rules on Drivers' Hours and Tachographs - Passenger carrying vehicles in UK & Europe |
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| LGV & PCV | Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness - Road Haulage & Passenger Transport |
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| LGV & PCV | The safe operator's guide - Road Haulage & Passenger Transport |
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