Every company that operates larger goods vehicles in Great Britain must hold an operator licence (an “O-licence”), issued by the Traffic Commissioners and recorded on the public DVSA operator-licence register. The licence type shows what kind of haulage a company is permitted to carry out.
Restricted licence
A Restricted licence allows a business to carry only its own goods in connection with its own trade. It does not permit carrying goods for other businesses for hire or reward. Many builders, manufacturers, retailers and similar firms hold a Restricted licence to run their own delivery or works vehicles.
Standard National licence
A Standard National licence allows a business to carry both its own goods and other businesses goods for hire or reward, anywhere within the United Kingdom.
Standard International licence
A Standard International licence allows everything a Standard National licence allows, and also permits the carriage of goods internationally.
The number of vehicles shown on a listing is the number the operator is authorised to run under its licence, as recorded on the DVSA register.