Standard National Operator's Licence

for vehicles with 9 or more passenger seats operated solely within the UK

otherwise please select:

Vehicles with 9 or more passenger seats operated within the UK and abroad

What is a standard National operator's licence?

Ordinarily, any organisation operating in Great Britain (GB) that accepts any sort of payment for providing transport to passengers must hold either a public service vehicle (PSV) operator's licence issued by the relevant traffic commissioner or a private hire vehicle licence issued by a local authority.

If you intend to use any number of vehicles solely within the UK which are designed or adapted to carry nine or more passengers (including many stretched limousines) and payment is taken for carrying passengers, commonly known as 'hire or reward', then you will need a standard National operator's licence.

However, if you intend only to operate up to 2 minibuses and your main business activity is not primarily involved with transporting passengers, then you may apply for a restricted operator's licence.

What are your obligations?

There are certain obligations which surround operating a minibus under a standard international operator's licence. These obligations ensure the safe operation of your minibus, passenger safety and compliance with the law which include:

• Including your vehicle within a minibus operations and road safety policy
• You must have a competent or qualified transport manager
• Applying for a Standard National operator's licence.
• All vehicles are insured and the insurer is aware that any vehicles used to provide services for hire or reward.
• All vehicles satisfy the appropriate construction and use requirements and are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition.
• All drivers are correctly licensed, fit enough to drive, receive suitable training and any time spent driving is governed and monitored.
• Types of services you can provide with a PSV operator's licence
• Is a minibus still a PSV even when it is not carrying passengers?
• Can a vehicle operated under a standard national operator's licence be driven abroad?
• VOSA must be informed immediately if there any changes in your organisation's circumstances, maintenance arrangements, safety inspections or to replace any lost licence discs.

Still unsure?

If you are still unsure as to which licensing regime applies to you, please see: Are you operating a minibus within the law?

Operator licensing Reference Guide

• Operator licensing
• What is Hire & Reward?
• What is the legal definition of a minibus?
• What is a Public Service Vehicle (PSV)?
• Minibus operations and road safety policy
• Limosines & operator licensing
• Who can legally drive our minibus?
• Drivers Hours
• Tachographs
• Traffic Commissioners
• VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency)
• How do we keep our minibus in a safe and roadworthy condition?
• What is corporate manslaughter?
• Where can I find legal advice from a specialised transport solicitor?
• Minibus Support Advice helpline