GovWire

You need a standard international goods vehicle operator licence to use your vans or car and trailers over 2.5 tonnes to transport goods for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Find out more about transporting goods in Europe in vans or car and trailers

What you need to apply

When you apply you need:

• the vehicle registration (number plate) and gross plated weight of each vehicle you want to be on your licence
• to upload documents showing you have enough money to keep your vehicles and run your business
• proof that your transport manager has the Transport Manager CPC qualification or has been temporarily recognised as a transport manager

Unlike an application for a licence to use heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), you will not need:

• an operating centre
• to advertise your application in a local newspaper

Financial evidence

When you apply, you need to upload documents to prove that you have access to a set amount of finance to run your business. The amount you need depends on how many vehicles you have.

You must have 1,600 available for the first vehicle in your fleet. You need an extra 800 per additional vehicle in your fleet.

Financial documents to upload

The proof can include:

• bank statements
• building society accounts
• credit card accounts
• an opening balance (if youre a new business)
• overdraft facilities
• invoice finance agreements
• audited accounts

If you upload bank statements, they must:

• be in the name of the person or organisation applying for the licence
• cover the 28-day period immediately before the date you apply
• show itemised transactions as well as the opening and closing balance

You must be able to explain any large or unusual deposits to the account during the 28-day period.

Transport manager

Youll need either:

• a copy of your transport managers CPC qualification certificate (if they have the qualification)
• the reference number for an approved application to be temporarily recognised as a transport manager (if they do not yet have the qualification)

How to apply for a licence

What you need to do depends on when youll be making your first journey in Europe.

If youll be making journeys in Europe immediately

When you apply for your operator licence, you should also ask for an interim licence.

An interim licence is a temporary licence that can be issued more quickly than your full licence. This means that you will be able to use your interim licence to operate in Europe while your full licence is still being processed if you meet the requirements.

1. Apply for your operator licence. Fill in all the sections of the application and upload all the documents youre asked for.

2. At the end of your application, select Yes when youre asked if you want to apply for a time limited interim authority (an interim licence).

3. Pay the normal application fee of 257, and the 68 interim licence application fee.

4. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) will send you an interim operator licence disc to display in each of your vehicles if your application is successful.

5. OTC will process your full application and tell you if youve been granted a full licence.

Your interim licence will end:

• if you cancel your application for an operator licence
• when your application for a full operator licence has either been granted or refused

Youll get a refund of the 68 interim licence application fee if either:

• your full licence can be issued instead of giving you an interim licence
• your application for an interim licence is refused

If youll only be making journeys in Europe at least 7 weeks from now

You do not have to ask for an interim licence if youll only be making journeys in Europe at least 7 weeks from now. This is because there should enough time to process your application for a full licence. However, you can still choose to do this if you want to.

1. Apply for your operator licence. Fill in all the sections of the application and upload all the documents youre asked for.

2. At the end of your application, select Yes or No when youre asked if you want to apply for a time limited interim authority (an interim licence) depending on what you want to do.

3. Pay the normal application fee of 257 (and the 68 interim licence application fee if you decide to ask for one).

4. OTC will process your full application and tell you if youve been granted a full licence.

Before you start

You need:

• a debit or credit card
• your username and password if youve used the service before

You can register in the service if youve not used it before.

Start now

What it costs

Help with your application

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to get help.

Contact the Transport Regulation Unit if you live in Northern Ireland.