Following the recent release of its performance statistics for the processing and granting of Operator's Licence applications (covered in our previous blog), the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has today updated its guidance in relation to van operator licensing.

The updated guidance (which can be found here: Apply for a van or other light goods vehicle operator licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) confirms that processing times for van Operator's Licence applications have reduced from 9 weeks to 7 weeks for full grant of a licence.

You need a van Operator's Licence (a Standard International Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence authorising the use of ‘light goods vehicles’) to use vans, or car and trailer combinations, over 2.5 tonnes to transport goods for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. This might require you to apply for a new Standard International Goods Vehicle Operator's Licence authorising the use of ‘light goods vehicles’ only or it might require you to make variations to your existing Standard International Goods Vehicle Operator's Licence (to authorise the use of both ‘heavy goods vehicles’ and ‘light goods vehicles’).