Guidance

Vehicle operator licence applications: guidance

List of traffic areas, local newspaper advert template and convictions and cautions you will need to declare when applying for a vehicle operator licence.

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain
Published
17 April 2025
Last updated
28 August 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Vehicle operator licences: traffic areas

HTML

Vehicle operator licences: convictions and cautions that must be declared

HTML

Goods vehicle operator licence: newspaper advert template

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Details

When you apply for a vehicle operator licence, you will need to:

  • get separate licences for each traffic area you have an operating centre in - check the list to find out which counties, boroughs and districts are covered by each traffic area
  • declare any convictions and cautions people involved in your business have - check the list to see what has to be declared
  • advertise in a local newspaper where you plan to keep your vehicles (heavy goods vehicle licences only) - your advert must use the wording in the template

Find out more about how to apply for a vehicle operator licence.

Updates to this page

Published 17 April 2025
Last updated 28 August 2025 show all updates

  1. Updated the list of traffic areas.

  2. Updated the template in 'Goods vehicle operator licence: newspaper advert template' to include the web address to view the guide to making representations.

  3. First published.

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