Restricted Operator's Licence

for a maximum of 2 minibuses with 9-16 passenger seats

otherwise please select:

Vehicles with 9 or more passenger seats operated solely within the UK

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

What is a restricted 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 are running a business and your sole or main business activity is not based on supplying passenger transport, for example: a hotel, after school club or a care home etc, and you wish to operate a maximum of two minibuses, then you could operate under a restricted licence.

However, if you intend to operate more than two minibuses or your main or sole business activity is supplying passenger transport, then you will need either a standard national or a standard international 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
• Applying for a restricted 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 Restricted operator's licence
• Is a minibus still a PSV even when it is not carrying passengers?
• Can a vehicle operated under a Restricted 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 or faded licence and 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