GovWire

You can run 3 main types of international bus or coach services:

• a regular service - this follows a timetable and picks up and drops passengers at fixed points on a specified route
• a special regular service - this is a regular service that only carries specified types of passengers (for example, taking workers between home and work)
• an occasional service - this covers all types of journeys not counted as a regular or special regular service (for example, one-off tourist trips)

How you apply and the fees you need to pay depend on:

• which type of service you want to run
• which countries you want to operate in

Apply for an operator licence

To transport passengers internationally by road, you need either a:

• standard international operator licence for Great Britain
• standard international operator licence for Northern Ireland

Register your vehicle trailers

You must register these types of trailers before you drive to or through most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway:

• commercial trailers weighing over 750kg
• non-commercial trailers weighing over 3,500kg

Register your trailer to take it abroad.

Get approval to run a regular service or a special regular service

Regular services

A regular service follows a timetable and picks up and drops passengers at fixed points on a specified route.

Special regular services

A special regular service is a regular service which only carries specified types of passengers. For example, it might take workers between home and work. Its not allowed to transport any other types of passengers.

Where you can run regular services and special regular services

You can only run a regular service or special regular service from the UK to EU countries. Youre not allowed to travel through the EU to non-EU countries.

Apply to run your regular service or special regular service

To apply, download and fill in the application form.

Send the completed form to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) with:

• the application fee of 180 (this is non-refundable if your application is unsuccessful)
• supporting information for your application

You can email your application and supporting information to DVSA if youre paying by credit card.

Or you can send your application by post.

You need to send the following information with your application form:

• the service timetable
• fare scales
• information about the type and volume of the service that you plan to provide
• a map on an appropriate scale that shows the route and the stopping points where passengers are to be picked up and set down
• a driving schedule so that driving and rest periods can be checked for compliance
• a list of partners or sub-contractors (if there are any), with a copy of their operator licence
• any extra information you think is relevant to support your application

If youre applying as a consortium

If you want to act as a consortium with other operators to provide a pooled service, nominate one to apply on behalf of all the partners. They should be based in the country where the route begins or ends.

What happens next

1. DVSA will ask each country on the services route to approve the application. Each country has 4 months to decide.

2. The countries will tell DVSA if theyve approved your application. If they do not give DVSA a decision within 4 months, theyre counted as having approved your application.

3. DVSA will make a final decision on your application within 6 months of the date you sent it.

4. If your application is approved, DVSA will ask you to pay the grant charge - this is a fee for each year you want the service to run.

5. Pay the grant charge and pay for certified copies of your authorisation for each vehicle.

6. DVSA will send your authorisation and certified copies.

Pay the grant charge

The grant charge validates your authorisation for each year you want the service to run.

You can choose to validate the service for between 1 and 5 years. After 5 years, you need to renew your service and pay the application fees again.

You get one free copy of your service authorisation. You need to pay for each extra certified copy of your service authorisation you need. These must be carried in your vehicles.