Can You Get HGV Insurance Without an Operator’s Licence?

Looking to get HGV insurance? Then you might be wondering if you need to get your operator’s licence first – or if you can get HGV insurance without an operator’s licence. In most cases, you will need to get your operator’s licence before you get your HGV insurance. Insurers will ask for your operator’s licence number before they give you cover. So, no operator’s licence, no HGV insurance. In this post we’ll take a closer look at the link between operator’s licences and HGV insurance, and explain why they matter. For more information on how we can help you and your fleet, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.

What is an Operator’s Licence?

An operator’s licence is a grant by the Traffic Commissioner which gives UK businesses a legal right to operate HGVs for business reasons.

Types of Operator’s Licence

There are three main types of licence:

• Standard National – For transporting goods for third parties across the UK.
• Standard International – For transporting goods across national borders.
• Restricted – For businesses that exclusively transport their own goods, rather than third party goods.

What Can You Drive Without an Operator’s Licence?

An operator’s licence is required to drive vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes or more. So you should be able to operate any vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tonnes without an operator’s licence. This should include most LGVs and vans. Other types of vehicles are exempt from operator’s licences:

• Agricultural, horticultural, and forestry vehicles, so long as they only travel limited distances on public roads, and so long as they stay within 15.5 miles of their base.
• Recovery vehicles, and any vehicles used by emergency services.
• Any vehicle operated by, or under the control of, a government department.

What Can You Do While Waiting For Your Operator’s Licence?

Following your initial application, it can take around 30 working days to get your operator’s licence. It may take even longer depending on the specific type of licence for which you’re applying. There are a number of things you can do while you wait for the Traffic Commissioner to process your application:

• Get quotes for your HGV insurance. This might save you some time once you finally get your licence. You won’t be able to get a policy until your licence arrives, but it may help to know your options in advance.
• Set up your systems. You can also use the time spent waiting for your licence to process to set up the other aspects of your haulage firm. This might include your vehicle maintenance schedule, a driver screening process, your risk management processes, your driver communication strategy, and your employee wellbeing strategy.

What Are the Penalties For Driving Without an Adequate Licence?

If you operate vehicles without an appropriate operator’s licence, you could face heavy fines, and the authorities may impound your vehicles. You could also get banned from operating entirely. Running without the right licence may also make it harder for you to get appropriate HGV insurance in the future. Insurers may view your willingness to operate without a licence as a sign that you don’t take road safety regulations seriously. As a result, they may refuse you cover, which would make it impossible for you to operate: It’s illegal to drive any vehicle without adequate insurance.

Get A Competitive Deal on Your HGV Insurance

John Donaghy, Senior Manager, Commercial Motor & Fleet Risks at Anthony Jones says: “In the vast majority of cases, you will not be able to get HGV insurance without an operator’s licence. But that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to insurers and insurance brokers before you sort your licence. “If you’re currently waiting for your licence to process, our commercial vehicle experts can advise you on key risk management procedures that will help you hit the ground running once you’re ready to go. We can also show you how to evidence these procedures to insurers, which can help you make savings on the cost of your HGV insurance.” For more information about how we can help support your business, call our dedicated team on 0208 290 9099, or email CM@AnthonyJones.com.