A standard international licence allows you to carry your own goods, and goods for other people, for hire or reward, both in the UK and on international journeys.

Operators who are issued with standard international licences will also receive Community Licences. These are required for all hire or reward operations in, or through, EU countries and are documents required to be carried on the vehicle at such times. (Further information about Community Licences is provided below.)

To get a standard international licence, you must satisfy the requirement of finance and of establishment in Northern Ireland and both you and your transport manager must each satisfy the requirement of good repute and professional competence.
Take note: Community Licences will not cover you for journeys to non-EU countries, where you might require special permission to travel.

A standard national licence allows you to carry your own goods on your own account, or other people’s goods for hire or reward, in the UK, and to carry your own goods on your own account abroad. This will allow you to haul loaded trailers to or from ports within the UK as long as your vehicle does not actually leave the UK.

To get a standard licence, you must satisfy the requirement of finance and of establishment in Northern Ireland and both you and your transport manager must be of good repute and satisfy the requirement of professional competence.

A restricted licence only allows you to carry your own goods on your own account within the UK and the EU. You do not have to satisfy the requirement of professional competence to get a restricted licence and the finance levels may be less. However, you should obey the same rules as for a standard licence.

In some cases, you may be called to a public inquiry, where the Traffic Commissioner will review your application and business operations. Reasons for a public inquiry can include inaccurate information, non-compliance with licence requirements, criminal convictions, or issues regarding the management of your fleet. Our Transport Public Inquiry Support service is where we assist in preparing you for these inquiries to ensure your business stays on track

If you need to begin operations while waiting for full approval, you can apply for an interim licence. This temporary licence allows you to operate while your application is being processed. We help ensure that your interim licence application is submitted smoothly and without delays.

Some vehicles and operations are exempt from needing an Operator Licence. For example, recovery vehicles and certain private vehicles may not require a licence. We can help you understand whether your fleet or operations qualify for any exemptions and help ensure you're operating within the law.

If you’re applying for a Standard International Licence, you’ll receive Community Licences, which are necessary for operating within the EU. Community Licences are required for all operations involving goods transportation for hire or reward within EU member states. These licences must be carried on vehicles when operating in or through the EU. However, note that they don’t cover travel to non-EU countries, where you may need additional permits.