Operator compliance
The licence depends on the vehicle and the work you do
Traffic Commissioner guidance says a goods vehicle operator's licence is usually required when a business uses a goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight, or above the relevant unladen-weight threshold where there is no plated weight, to carry goods for hire or reward or in connection with a trade or business. Exemptions exist, so operators should check their specific circumstances.
Standard national
Generally allows carriage of your own goods and other people's goods for hire or reward within the UK, subject to the licence terms.
Standard international
Covers own goods and hire-or-reward carriage in the UK and international operations, subject to the applicable international requirements.
Restricted
Generally applies to carrying the operator's own goods rather than carrying other people's goods for hire or reward.
Licensing is more than an application
Official guidance also covers operating centres, financial standing, maintenance arrangements and, for standard licences, transport-manager requirements. New operators should use the current official guidance rather than relying on a marketplace summary.
Read the Traffic Commissioner guide →Professional freight marketplace
Houlvek is built around professional HGV freight participants. Verification and document workflows support the marketplace, but each operator remains responsible for its own legal and regulatory compliance.