The changes are contained within the Trade & Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU and will apply to you if you’re based in England, Scotland or Wales and use:

• Vans or other light goods vehicles (sometimes called light commercial vehicles or LGV for short)
• Vans towing trailers
• Cars towing trailers

You need to either:

• Apply for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence for the first time
• Add the vehicles to your standard international goods vehicle operator licence (if you already have one)
• Apply to upgrade your standard national goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence
• Apply to upgrade your restricted goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence

Do the new rules apply to me?

The new rules will apply to you if you use:

• Vans with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) over 2,500kg (2.5 tonnes) and up to and including 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes)
• Vans towing a trailer with a gross train weight (GTW) over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes
• Cars towing a trailer with a GTW over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes

You will not need a goods vehicle operator licence if any of these apply:

• You only use your vehicles in the UK
• You are transporting goods not for ‘hire or reward’

Am I carrying goods for “hire and reward”?

Do I need Tachographs for Vehicles over 2.5 Tonnes?

Currently no, you will not need a tachograph for vehicles over 2.5t up to 3.5t. However, from 1 July 2026, tachographs will have to be installed in vehicles over 2.5 tonnes operating in the EU.

You have two options:

Option 1 – Employ the services of a consultant

If you’re a little unsure and the whole process looks a little daunting, you can enlist the help of a consultant to assist with your application. Here at TMconsultant, we help new operators gain their Operator Licence every week. If you would like to know more about how we can help you, click here or please do just get in touch. We’re a friendly bunch and are happy to chat and provide free advice.

Option 2 – Apply directly to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (Licensing)

You can DIY by going here. I have written a blog about how to apply for an operator’s licence, you can read that here.

• Planning routes and scheduling delivery times
• Managing your team of drivers and administration staff
• Making sure drivers follow company and industry regulations
• Arranging vehicle maintenance, MOTs and tax payments
• Organising vehicle replacements.

You must either:

• Apply to get an existing member of staff (including yourself) temporarily recognised as a transport manager
• Employ someone with a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification
• Hire an external qualified transport manager.

What are my transport manager options?

You have three options:

Option 1 – Use an existing member of staff temporarily recognised as a transport manager through Grandfather rights

If you decide to get an existing member of staff temporarily recognised as a transport manager, they must have at least 10 years of experience managing fleets of vehicles before 20 August 2020.

1. The member of staff needs to apply to be temporarily recognised as a transport manager (this is sometimes called having ‘acquired rights’). If their application is successful, they’ll be treated as having the Transport Manager CPC qualification until 21 May 2025\
2. When you apply for your goods vehicle operator licence, you need to apply to add them as the transport manager for your licence
3. The member of staff needs to pass the CPC qualification by 21 May 2025 to continue being a transport manager after that date
4. When they’ve fully qualified, they’ll need to keep up a high-quality professional knowledge of transport industry rules and policies.

Option 2 – Get a member of staff qualified

This person will need to take a Transport Manager CPC qualification. This is called the International Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Haulage. You will need to take the international For more information, you can read a blog I wrote about how to become a transport manager here.

Option 3 – Hire an External Transport Manager (ETM)

You can hire-in an External Transport Manager. An External Transport Manager, (ETM for short), is essentially a freelance consultant Transport Manager. They’re not someone on your payroll, but they are contracted to work with you to act as your transport manager. Ensure you find an ETM with an International TM CPC qualification and of good repute. If you would like to take this option we can help find an ETM near you!

What will the ETM do?

The external transport manager is there not only to ensure you are compliant but can help reduce your fuel bill, review your current H&S policy status and develop driver training.

Your ETM will manage:

• Operator Licensing changes and authority communication
• Working Time Directive Compliance
• Drivers Hours Compliance
• Tachograph Analysis
• Vehicle Periodic Maintenance Inspection Schedule
• Vehicle Defect Reporting Systems
• Driving Licence Checks
• Daily Walk round Inspections
• Toolbox talks/Driver CPC Training Delivery
• Driver Reprimands/Disciplinary Hearings.

Your ETM will also:

• Carry out an initial audit to identify any shortfalls
• Full systems implementation – Ensure you are equipped with the requisite policies and processes
• Carry out weekly catch-ups. This is normally remotely
• Carry out Monthly on-site visits
• Provide ongoing advice.

For more information about what ETMs do and how much it costs to hire an external transport manager go here.

How much does an ETM cost?

Prices start from £450.00. Check out our ETM prices here

How can I find an External Transport Manager?

Here at TMconsultant we operate an ETM finder service. All you need to do is provide us with some basic information and we’ll find an ETM near you! Either, complete this form or get in touch, we’re here to share the knowledge!