On 21 May 2022, rules will change for goods vehicles operating in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

From 21 May 2022, you’ll need a standard international goods vehicle operator licence to transport goods for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

This will apply to you if you’re based in England, Scotland or Wales and use:

• vans or other light goods vehicles (sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
• vans towing trailers
• cars towing trailers

You need to either:

• apply for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence for the first time
• add the vehicles to your standard international goods vehicle operator licence (if you already have one)
• apply to upgrade your standard national goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence
• apply to upgrade your restricted goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence

You can be fined by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you operate without the right licence. You can also be prosecuted in the European countries you drive through.

The new rules will apply to you if you use:

• vans with a maximum authorised mass(MAM) over 2,500kg (2.5 tonnes) and up to and including 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes)
• vans towing a trailer with a gross train weight(GTW) over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes
• cars towing a trailer with a GTW over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes

You will not need a goods vehicle operator licence if any of these apply:

• you only use your vehicles in the UK
• you are transporting goods not for ‘hire or reward’(Own goods)

Vehicle categories on driving licences can depend on the weight of the vehicle - the different terms you might see are explained below.

Unladen weight

The unladen weight of any vehicle is the weight of the vehicle when it’s not carrying any passengers, goods or other items.

It includes the body and all parts normally used with the vehicle or trailer when it’s used on a road.

It doesn’t include the weight of:

• fuel
• batteries in an electric vehicle - unless it’s a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair

Maximum authorised mass

Maximum authorised mass (MAM) means the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.

This is also known as gross vehicle weight (GVW) or permissible maximum weight.

It will be listed in the owner’s manual and is normally shown on a plate or sticker fitted to the vehicle.

The plate or sticker may also show a gross train weight (GTW), also sometimes called gross combination weight (GCW). This is the total weight of the tractor unit plus trailer plus load.

Down-plating

If a vehicle is unlikely to be used at its potential maximum weight, it may be ‘down-plated’. This means that a lower weight is shown on the plate or sticker attached to the vehicle.

You need a licence to carry goods in a lorry, van or other vehicle with either:

• a gross plated weight (the maximum weight that the vehicle can have at any one time) of over 3,500 kilograms (kg)
• an unladen weightof more than 1,525 kg (where there is no plated weight)

There are 3 different types of licence - what you need depends on the work you do.

You must also make sure that any drivers you use or employ have the correct licence and training. All vehicles that you use should be correctly taxed and kept safe and in good condition at all times.