Goods vehicle operator licensing exemptions
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Final consultation outcome, published December 2017
Following analysis of consultation responses, the department is now publishing the final outcome of this consultation. We have decided to:
- remove the exemption from goods vehicle operator licensing for certain goods vehicles that also carrying machinery (notably mobile concrete batching plant)
- remove the exemption from goods vehicle operator licensing for all electrically powered goods vehicles
- introduce an exemption from goods vehicle operator licensing for alternatively-fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes
- remove the MOT exemption for electric goods vehicles
- introduce a specific weight regime for mobile concrete batching plant
Decision on operating weights of mobile batching plant 5 April 2018
When we published the consultation response and government decision in respect of operator licensing exemptions, we requested further views on aspects of the specific weight regime for mobile concrete batching plant (volumetric concrete mixers). See the ‘Mobile concrete batching plant weights: open letter (December 2017)’ above.
We have now finalised the position and this is set out in ‘Regulation of mobile concrete batching plant: decision on operating weight arrangements (April 2018)’ above.
Feedback received
Detail of feedback received
This document features a summary of the responses to the government’s consultation on exemptions from goods vehicle operator licensing. All evidence provided by the respondents will be considered over the coming months before the government makes a decision on future exemptions.
Holding statement
The Department for Transport consulted about removing some of the current exemptions from roadworthiness testing and operator licensing between 11 December 2014 and 5 March 2015. It published summaries of the responses to both consultations in July 2015 and a holding statement updating stakeholders on progress and timing of the next steps on 14 January 2016.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The main purpose of the goods vehicle operator licensing system is to ensure the safe and proper use of goods vehicles and to protect the environment around operating centres. Subject to certain exceptions, you need an operator’s licence to carry goods in vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
We are consulting on the current exemptions because we want to make sure that regulations are fair and support road safety.
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 11 December 2014Last updated 5 April 2018 + show all updates
-
Decision on operating weights of mobile batching plant.
-
Final outcome published and request for further submissions on transitional arrangements for specific weight rules for mobile concrete batching plant.
-
HGV roadworthiness testing and operator licensing proposals: holding statement.
-
Added summary of responses.
-
First published.