Whatever type of private hire service you intend to provide you will need to be licensed by us before you start operating. Anyone who receives payment for taking bookings or supplying drivers for hire without an operator's licence is breaking the law and may be prosecuted.

Several types of vehicle do not need an operator's licence, including:

• military vehicles.
• snow ploughs and gritters.
• emergency service vehicles (including those used by gas, electricity, water and telephone companies)
• hearses
• recovery vehicles (only if they're used exclusively for that purpose)

Does my van need an Operator's licence? It may seem like a strange question. After all, historically an operator's licence (O Licence) has only been needed if you operate goods vehicles or public service vehicles over 3.5t. This is set to change from 21 May 2022.

You need a road passenger transport operator's licence if you are carrying passengers by road for 'hire or reward' in vehicles constructed and equipped for carrying nine or more passengers.

The main types of exempt vehicle are: vehicles that cannot go faster than 40 kilometres per hour, including vehicles that are restricted by a set speed limiter. emergency aid vehicles – vehicles used in the non-commercial transport of humanitarian aid for use in emergencies or rescue operations.

Tachographs record how long you've been driving for, and are compulsory in all vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes that are being used for commercial benefit. However, you'll also need one if you are towing a trailer and the total gross weight of the vehicle and trailer is more than 3.5 tonnes

Do I need an operator's licence to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry? Yes, you'll need an Operator's licence, or O-licence, if your business carries goods over 3.5-tonnes (3,500 Kgs) gross plated weighted or unladen weight of more than 1.52-tonnes (1525 Kgs) in a lorry, van or any other vehicle.

There are no specific street sweeper licenses you need to hold, but you are required to undertake formal training. This is to ensure that you're competent to operate one.

Currently, such international work requires a Standard International Operator's Licence for goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. All businesses affected will have to comply with this new operator licensing requirement

What you need to be an owner-driver

1. A vehicle. ...
2. An operator's licence (O-licence). ...
3. A suitable place to use as an operating centre where you can base your vehicle.
4. An HGV driving licence and any other qualifications needed to work in your sector such as ADR.
5. A CPC holder.

If you hold an operator's licence, there can be a number of advantages to being your own Transport Manager: You save a wage that you would otherwise have to pay. You can keep a proper overview of your drivers and their adherence to their drivers' hours, working time and continuing education.

You need an operator's licence to operate vehicles above 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (gvw) that are used to carry goods (i.e. anything not permanently attached to the vehicle) on public roads for trade or business purposes.

There are special licensing arrangements allowing you to drive minibuses and buses without holding the higher Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence entitlement. Drivers of minibuses having nine to 16 passenger seats will need to hold a PCV licence category D1 or a category D licence to drive larger buses.