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Changing
Your Operator Licence Details
Information for Bus
and Coach Operatiors on how to change there Operator Licence Details and the implications
for change.
What do I do if I want to remove a specified vehicle from my
licence?
If you stop using a specified vehicle listed on your licence, you must notify
the Traffic Commissioner within 21 days and return the disc which was issued for
that vehicle, together with your vehicle list, for amendment. If you are not adding
a vehicle at that stage a "paid-for" credit space will be left on your licence
for when you wish to add another vehicle within the current licence period.
How do I change the vehicles listed on the licence?
If you are registered for operator self service (see above) log on to operator
self service. Click on the “Remove/Add vehicles” option in the left hand menu.
Now select the vehicle (s) you wish to remove and press “confirm removal” to remove
them. If you wish to add any vehicles to your operator licence then press the
“Go to add vehicles” button. On this screen you need to enter the details of the
vehicle, with no gaps, and then press the “Add Vehicle” button. You can continue
to add vehicles up to your authorised vehicle limit and then just press “Finish
and close” to complete the process.
Discs for added vehicles will be sent to you on payment of a fee if you do not
hold credits
If you are not registered for Self Service, send a completed GV80 listing the
registration numbers of the vehicles to be taken off and those to be added on.
Discs for removed vehicles must be returned with the GV80. The licence records
will then be amended and discs for added vehicles will be sent to you on payment
of a fee if you do not hold credits. This type of change does not have to be advertised
by you, or published by the Traffic Commissioner provided that the total vehicle
authorisation of the licence is not exceeded.
What do I do if I want to use more vehicles?
Your licence when first issued will authorise you to use up to a maximum number
of vehicles and trailers. If the number of vehicles specified on your licence
(ie recorded by registration mark on the vehicle list and issued with a disc)
is less than the number you are authorised to use, you can take on extra vehicles
at any time provided you do not exceed the maximum number authorised, and provided
any conditions attached to your licence allow you to do so. The difference between
the number of specified vehicles and the maximum number of vehicles authorised
on your licence is commonly called ‘the margin’.
Any vehicle which is being used on the margin can only be so used for one month.
The vehicle ceases to be authorised if you do not notify the Traffic Commissioner
about that vehicle within the month, and pay a prescribed fee. At that time you
must complete a form GV80 listing registration marks.
What do I do if I want to use more vehicles than I am authorised
to use?
If the extra vehicles you want to use will result in you exceeding the total number
of vehicles authorised on the licence and/or result in you keeping more vehicles
at an operating centre than your licence allows. This would be a major variation
to your licence and you must follow the procedures outlined below.
How do I change or add an operating centre to my licence?
If you want to use a new operating centre either instead of, or in addition to,
an operating centre already on your licence, this would be a major variation and
you must follow the procedures outlined below.
What are the procedures for applying for a major variation?
(Excluding change of licence type)
You must apply on line via operator self service or complete a form GV81 and send
it with an application fee to your Traffic Area Offices at least 9 weeks before
you need the extra vehicles or change of operating centre. Neither additional
vehicles nor additional operating centres can be used until the application has
been granted and the varied licence issued, unless interim authority has been
given. As with your original application for a licence, the Traffic Commissioner
will publish details of your variation application and you must advertise it in
a newspaper circulating in the vicinity of your operating centre. A form for this
advertisement is included in the GV81 or is available to you when logged into
operator self service under the “Advert Template OC’s” option.
Your application to vary will be open to objections and representations in the
same way that your original application was.
Applications for major variations which will result in additional vehicles may
attract two fees. An application charge, to be paid when the application is made,
and if appropriate, a vehicle fee for any extra vehicles which you want specified
on your licence once the variation has been granted.
If you are applying for extra vehicles you will be issued with identity disc(s)
only after appropriate fees have been paid. (If no vehicle fee is paid the variation
will cease to have effect.)
How do I change the type of licence?
To change the licence you hold from, for example, restricted to standard national,
or from standard national to standard international, you must apply to the Traffic
Commissioner on form GV80A at least 9 weeks before you require the change in type.
Proof of professional competence, good repute and financial standing will have
to be provided if you want to change to a standard national or standard international
licence. A Traffic Commissioner must publish applications to upgrade licences
e.g. those from restricted to standard national and your application will be open
to objection by statutory objectors.
You do not have to advertise these applications, but they are major variations
to your licence. If granted you will not be charged a fee but all your licence
documents and vehicle discs have to be returned so that your documents can be
amended. The change in licence type does not take effect until the application
has been granted and the varied licence issued, unless interim authority has been
given.
Is there a right of appeal if my variation application is refused?
If your application to vary your licence is refused, you have a right to appeal
- refer to Appeals to the Transport Tribunal.
What if I need to use my extra vehicles and/or new operating
centre very urgently?
Write to Traffic Area Offices giving reasons why you need urgent authorisation
for extra vehicles and/or a new operating centre. The Traffic Commissioner may
give an interim direction which will allow you to operate in the way you have
applied for, while your application to vary your licence is being considered.
A fee may be charged if the interim direction is given. The issue of an interim
direction will not guarantee that your variation application will be granted and
until you get a firm decision on it you would be unwise to make any commitments
in anticipation.
What do I do if there are changes in the business?
Licences are not transferable. If changes are made to your business, which affect
in law the identity of that business, a new licence must be applied for using
form GV79. The Traffic Commissioner must be told in writing:
• of any change in the control of the business - for example, if someone
new is taken on as a partner or director,
• if the business is converted to a limited company (a new business must apply
for its own licence);
• of any change in the correspondence address of the business (this must
be notified within 28 days);
• of any change in the name of the business;
• of any change affecting professionally competent partners or nominated
transport managers (including any re-organisation that affects their control of
vehicles). Notifications should be made on form GV80A enclosing the professional
competence certificates for any new Transport Manager;
• if the licence holder, or any director or partner, is declared bankrupt;
and,
• If the company goes into liquidation; an administration order is made;
or a receiver/manager is appointed.
In the case of a standard licence, the Traffic Commissioner must also be told
in writing if the licence holder, or any professionally competent partner or nominated
transport manager dies, leaves the business, has experienced circumstances which
may affect his/her good repute, or can no longer carry out his/her duties effectively
(due to physical disability or mental disorder).
• Traffic Commissioner may require you to notify him of other details affecting
the operation of your vehicles. Details of these requirements will form part of
your licence documentation.
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