Appendix A - Vehicles which currently do not need to be on an operator’s licence
Vehicles which currently do not need to be on an operator’s licence or the use of which do not require an operators licence.
The following list reflects the substance of the main exemptions from operator licensing and is a summary only. Details of most of them can be found in Schedule 3 to the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995.
1. Vehicles first used before 1977 which have an unladen weight not exceeding 1525kg and for which the maximum gross plated weight is between 3500kg and 3556.21kg (3.5 tons).
2. Motor vehicles & their trailers using public roads for less than 9.654km (6 miles) a week, whilst moving between private premises.
3. Vehicles being used under a trade licence.
4. Vehicles used by, or under the control of Her Majesty’s United Kingdom forces and visiting forces vehicles.
5. Vehicles being used by local authorities for Civil Defence purposes, or to carry out their functions in respect of certain enactments.
6. Vehicles being used for police, fire or ambulance purposes.
7. Fire-fighting and rescue vehicles used in mines.
8. RNLI and Coastguard vehicles when used for transporting lifeboats, appliances or crew.
9. Vehicles being held ready for use in emergencies by water, electricity, gas & telephone undertakings.
10. Tractors, including agricultural tractors, used in the following circumstances:
Hauling:
a) threshing appliances;
b) farming implements
c) a living van for the accommodation of persons employed to drive the tractor; or
d) supplies of water or fuel required for the tractor.
11. Hauling articles for a farm required by the keeper, being either the occupier of the farm or a contractor employed to do agricultural work on the farm by the occupier of the farm.
12. Hauling articles for a forestry estate required by the keeper where the keeper is the occupier of that estate or employed to do forestry work on the estate by the occupier or a contractor employed to do forestry work on the estate by the occupier.
13. Hauling within 24.135 kilometres (15 miles), of a farm or a forestry estate occupied by the keeper, agricultural or woodland produce of that farm or estate.
14. Hauling within 24.135 kilometres (15 miles), of a farm or a forestry estate occupied by the keeper, material to be spread on the roads to deal with frost, ice or snow.
15. Hauling a snow plough or a similar contrivance for the purpose of clearing snow; and hauling:
a) soil for landscaping or similar works; or
b) a mowing machine, where the keeper is the local authority.
16. Vehicles being used to carry goods within aerodromes.
17. Vehicles being used for funerals.
18. Uncompleted vehicles on test or trial.
19. Vehicles being used for or in connection with (or on their way to) snow clearing or distribution of salt, grit etc.
20. Vehicles on their way to a Department for Transport examination being presented laden at the request of an examiner.
21. Electric and steam propelled vehicles.
22. Recovery vehicles. Paragraph 3 of the Goods Vehicles [Licensing of Operators] Regulations 1995 states that a recovery vehicle has the same meaning as in Part V of Schedule 1 to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (i.e. a vehicle which is constructed or permanently adapted for any one or more of the purposes of lifting, towing and transporting a disabled vehicle).
23. Vehicles with fitted equipment eg machines, appliances, where the only other goods (or burden) carried are required for use in connection with the fitted equipment.
24. Tower wagons & trailers which are carrying goods related to the work of the tower wagons.
25. Dual purpose vehicles (eg Land Rovers) and their trailers.
26. Trailers whose primary purpose is not to carry goods but do so incidentally in connection with construction, maintenance or repair of roads.
27. Road rollers and trailers.
28. Showmen’s goods vehicles and trailers.
29. Crown vehicles.
30. Vehicles being used for international haulage by operators established in other EU Member States.
31. Vehicles being used for international haulage by operators established in Northern Ireland.
32. Vehicles being used under the provisions of the Goods Vehicles (Operators Licences) (Temporary Use in Great Britain) Regulations 1980. These Regulations include provision for the use in Great Britain of Northern Ireland Vehicles, which have an operating centre in Northern Ireland, provided that certain conditions are met. Own account and hire and reward operations are covered.
