--- title: "Operator licence glossary" canonical_url: https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary markdown_url: https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary.md publisher: HaulierScope licence: Open Government Licence v3.0 (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) --- # Operator licence glossary > Plain-English definitions of 80 GB operator licence terms, from authorised vehicles to statutory objector, each checked against GOV.UK. Reference 80 terms you meet on a GB operator licence record, in Applications and Decisions and at a public inquiry, each defined in one plain sentence and checked against GOV.UK or legislation.gov.uk. - A - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V ## A - **Acquired rights:** A certificate that counts as proof of professional competence in place of the Transport Manager CPC. GOV.UK accepts an Acquired Rights certificate issued since 2011, for HGV or LGV-only operations. _Also called: acquired rights certificate._ - **Acquired rights:** [Guide: Transport manager CPC](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/transport-manager-cpc) - **Applications and Decisions:** The weekly bulletin, one per traffic area, that lists goods licence applications, decisions, public inquiries, surrenders and revocations. Statutory objectors have 21 days from publication to object. _Also called: A&D._ - **Applications and Decisions:** [Guide: Applications and Decisions](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/applications-and-decisions) ## C - **Chargeable variation:** A change to a goods licence that costs £257, such as increasing vehicle or trailer authorisation, adding an operating centre or changing conditions on one. GOV.UK also calls it a major variation. _Also called: major variation, major change._ - **Chargeable variation:** [Guide: Operator licence cost](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-cost) - **Company number:** The unique number Companies House gives each limited company and LLP. The register shows it for company licence holders, and a change of company number needs a new operator licence. _Also called: Companies House number, company registration number, CompanyRegNumber._ - **Conditions:** Requirements a traffic commissioner attaches to a licence, such as limits on vehicle numbers, parking, times of use or access at an operating centre. Conditions can be appealed to the Upper Tribunal; undertakings cannot. _Also called: licence conditions._ - **Conditions:** [Guide: Undertakings and conditions](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-undertakings) - **Continuation:** The check every five years that keeps an operator licence in force. The holder confirms its details to the traffic commissioner and, for goods licences, pays a continuation fee. _Also called: licence renewal, five-yearly review._ - **Continuation:** [Guide: Operator licence continuation](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-continuation) - **Continuation date:** The register field showing when a licence is next due for its five-yearly continuation. It is not an expiry date, because operator licences have no expiry date and stay in force while they are continued. _Also called: ContinuationDate._ - **Continuation date:** [Guide: Operator licence continuation](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-continuation) - **Continuation fee:** The fee a goods licence holder pays every 5 years to keep the licence in force, currently £401. Standard and restricted PSV licences pay none; special restricted (taxi) licences do. - **Continuation fee:** [Guide: Operator licence continuation](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-continuation) - **Curtailment:** A traffic commissioner's direction that cuts back a licence for all or part of its remaining life. It can remove specified vehicles or operating centres, or reduce the number of vehicles authorised. _Also called: curtailed._ - **Curtailment:** [Guide: Curtailed, suspended, revoked](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/curtailed-suspended-revoked) ## D - **Deputy traffic commissioner:** A person appointed to help the traffic commissioners with their workload. Deputies are deployed for the days they are needed, preside over a number of public inquiries and act only on delegated powers. _Also called: DTC._ - **Disqualification:** An order, made when a licence is revoked, that bars the former holder from holding or getting an operator licence, either indefinitely or for a set period. Transport managers can also be disqualified. _Also called: disqualified._ - **Disqualification:** [Guide: Curtailed, suspended, revoked](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/curtailed-suspended-revoked) - **DVSA:** The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. It tests lorries and buses, carries out roadside checks, administers operator licensing on behalf of the traffic commissioners and passes them enforcement evidence. _Also called: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency._ ## E - **Earned recognition:** A voluntary DVSA scheme for operators who prove they meet driver and vehicle standards. Members use a DVSA-validated IT system that reports against key performance indicators every 4 weeks. _Also called: DVSA earned recognition, ER._ - **Effective and stable establishment:** A standard licence requirement to have real premises in the UK where the operator keeps its core business records, such as personnel, driving and maintenance records. A PO Box or third-party address cannot be used. _Also called: stable establishment._ - **Environmental representation:** A written complaint from an owner or occupier of land near a proposed operating centre, on environmental grounds such as noise, about how it would affect their use or enjoyment of the land. It must be made within 21 days of the advert. _Also called: representation, representor._ - **Environmental representation:** [Guide: Objecting to an application](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/object-to-an-operator-licence-application) - **External transport manager:** A transport manager hired under a contract for services rather than employed. They can work for no more than 4 operators with a combined total of 50 vehicles, and must act independently of transport customers. _Also called: consultant transport manager, freelance transport manager._ - **External transport manager:** [Guide: Transport manager CPC](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/transport-manager-cpc) ## F - **Financial resources:** The restricted-licence version of financial standing. Restricted goods and PSV operators must show access to £3,100 for the first vehicle and £1,700 for each additional vehicle. - **Financial resources:** [Guide: Financial standing](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/financial-standing) - **Financial standing:** The money a standard licence holder must show is available throughout the licence. HGV and PSV operators need £8,000 for the first vehicle and £4,500 for each additional one. It is not a fee. - **Financial standing:** [Guide: Financial standing](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/financial-standing) ## G - **[Good repute](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/good-repute):** A requirement for standard goods and PSV licences, restricted PSV licences and transport managers. It asks whether the traffic commissioner can trust the operator to run its transport business safely and legally. - **Goods vehicle operator licence:** An operator licence for goods vehicles. You usually need one to use a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight for hire or reward or in connection with a trade or business. _Also called: HGV operator licence, goods O-licence, lorry operator licence._ - **Goods vehicle operator licence:** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) ## H - **[Haulier](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/haulier):** A business that carries goods by road for other people for hire or reward. In Great Britain a haulier using vehicles over 3.5 tonnes needs a standard operator licence, because a restricted licence covers own goods only. _Also called: road haulier, haulage company, road haulage operator._ - **[Haulier](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/haulier):** [Guide: Vet a subcontracted haulier](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/vet-a-haulier) - **Heavy goods vehicle licence:** A goods operator licence that authorises one or more vehicles or combinations over 3.5 tonnes, even if it also authorises light goods vehicles. It must name at least one operating centre. _Also called: HGV licence (operator)._ - **Heavy goods vehicle licence:** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) - **Hire or reward:** Carrying goods or passengers in return for payment. For PSV licensing it means any payment in cash or kind that gives a person the right to be carried, whether or not a profit is made. - **Hire or reward:** [Guide: Do I need an operator licence?](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/do-i-need-an-operator-licence) ## I - **Identity disc:** The disc issued for each specified vehicle, showing the licence type, holder's name and number, registration mark and disc expiry date. Goods vehicles display it near the lower edge of the windscreen on the near side. _Also called: operator licence disc, O-licence disc, vehicle disc._ - **Identity disc:** [Guide: Operator licence disc](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-disc) - **Impounding:** The detention of a vehicle by DVSA, or in some cases the police, because it was used without the required operator licence. Only the legal owner can apply for its return, within 21 days of the notice. _Also called: impounded vehicle, vehicle detention._ - **Interim direction:** Temporary permission, granted on a complete variation application, to use extra vehicles, a new operating centre or a changed licence type before the variation is decided. A fee is charged. _Also called: interim authority._ - **[Interim licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/interim-licence):** A temporary goods licence that lets an applicant operate while a complete application is decided. It is discretionary, lasts up to 6 months and ends when the full licence is granted or the application is refused or withdrawn. _Also called: interim, interim authority._ - **[Interim licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/interim-licence):** [Guide: How to get an operator licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/how-to-get-an-operator-licence) ## L - **Legal entity:** The person or body that holds an operator licence, such as a sole trader, partnership, limited company or LLP. Licences cannot be transferred between legal entities, so a change of entity needs a new licence. _Also called: licence holder._ - **Legal entity:** [Guide: Liquidation and administration](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-liquidation-administration) - **Licence number:** The reference number of an operator licence, printed on its identity discs and in Applications and Decisions. In the DVSA licence data, goods licence numbers start with O and PSV numbers with P. _Also called: operator licence number, O-licence number, LicenceNumber._ - **Licence number:** [Guide: Operator licence numbers](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-number) - **Licence status:** The register field showing a licence's current state. In the DVSA licence data for the UK (Great Britain) the values are valid, curtailed and suspended. Revoked, surrendered and terminated licences do not appear. _Also called: LicenceStatus, valid licence._ - **Licence type:** The register field that shows the kind of licence held, namely Restricted, Standard National or Standard International. It decides whether the holder may carry other people's goods and whether it may do so abroad. _Also called: LicenceType._ - **Licence type:** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) - **Light goods vehicle licence:** A goods operator licence that authorises only vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or less. Holders do not need to specify an operating centre or advertise the application in a newspaper. _Also called: LGV licence, van operator licence._ - **Light goods vehicle licence:** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) - **Local bus service:** A bus service where passengers pay separate fares and can get off within 15 miles, in a straight line, of where they got on. Outside London it must usually be registered with the traffic commissioner. _Also called: registered local bus service, local service._ - **London Service Permit:** The permit needed to run a bus service in London. Permits last for 5 years, and you must normally apply at least 3 months before the service starts. ## M - **Maintenance contractor:** An outside garage or provider that inspects and repairs an operator's vehicles under a written contract. The operator stays legally responsible for the vehicles' condition even when a contract exists. _Also called: maintenance provider, maintenance contract._ - **Maintenance contractor:** [Guide: Compliance checklist](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-compliance-checklist) - **Margin:** The number of vehicles authorised on a licence minus the number specified on it. A licence authorised for 10 vehicles with 6 specified has a margin of 4. - **Margin:** [Guide: Vehicles on a licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/vehicles-on-an-operator-licence) ## N - **[Nominated transport manager](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/nominated-transport-manager):** The transport manager named on a standard licence as its professionally competent person. The operator nominates them in the application, and any change must be reported to the traffic commissioner within 28 days. - **[Nominated transport manager](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/nominated-transport-manager):** [Guide: Transport manager CPC](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/transport-manager-cpc) - **Notices and Proceedings:** The weekly PSV counterpart of Applications and Decisions. It publishes all PSV operator licence applications, and objections must reach the traffic commissioner no later than 21 days after publication. _Also called: N&P._ - **Notices and Proceedings:** [Guide: PSV operator licence check](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/psv-operator-licence-check) ## O - **OCRS:** The Operator Compliance Risk Score, which DVSA uses to decide which vehicles to inspect. It rates the risk of an operator breaking roadworthiness and traffic rules. Scores are not in the open licence data. _Also called: Operator Compliance Risk Score._ - **OCRS:** [Guide: OCRS score](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/ocrs-score) - **Office of the Traffic Commissioner:** The office that supports the traffic commissioners. It reviews licence applications, takes notice of licence changes and is the contact point for public inquiries. _Also called: OTC._ - **Operating centre:** The place where a goods operator normally keeps its vehicles when they are not in use. Heavy goods vehicle licences must name at least one, and using an unlisted place is an offence. _Also called: OC._ - **Operating centre:** [Guide: Operating centre rules](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operating-centre-rules) - **[Operating centre advert](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/operating-centre-advert):** The notice a heavy goods vehicle licence applicant must place in a local newspaper covering the proposed operating centre. It must appear between 21 days before and 21 days after the application is submitted. _Also called: OC advert, newspaper advert, public notice._ - **[Operating centre advert](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/operating-centre-advert):** [Guide: Operating centre rules](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operating-centre-rules) - **Operating centre review:** A traffic commissioner's review of an established operating centre, possible at five-year intervals, especially after complaints. It can add or change conditions or remove the centre. Results appear in Applications and Decisions. - **Operating centre review:** [Guide: Operating centre rules](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operating-centre-rules) - **Operator licence:** The licence a traffic commissioner grants so a business can use goods vehicles for hire or reward or for its own trade, or buses and coaches for hire or reward. Often called an O-licence. _Also called: O-licence, O licence, operator's licence, vehicle operator licence._ - **Operator licence:** [Guide: Do I need an operator licence?](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/do-i-need-an-operator-licence) - **Operator type:** The register field showing the kind of legal entity that holds a licence, for example Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Sole Trader, Partnership or Other. _Also called: OperatorType._ - **Own account:** Carrying goods that belong to your own business, in connection with that business, rather than for other people. A restricted licence covers own-account carriage only. _Also called: own goods._ - **Own account:** [Guide: Restricted vs standard licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/restricted-vs-standard) ## P - **Period of grace:** Extra time a traffic commissioner may give a standard licence holder to fix a lost requirement, such as financial standing or a transport manager. It is usually up to six months and is not automatic. - **Period of grace:** [Guide: Financial standing](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/financial-standing) - **Preliminary hearing:** An alternative to a full public inquiry that a traffic commissioner can use for less serious cases, or where compliance can be achieved without a formal inquiry. _Also called: PH._ - **Preliminary hearing:** [Guide: Public inquiries](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/traffic-commissioner-public-inquiry) - **[Professional competence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/professional-competence):** A requirement for standard licences. The operator must hold, or nominate someone who holds, a Transport Manager CPC or equivalent qualification, and that person manages the transport operations continuously and effectively. _Also called: PC._ - **[Professional competence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/professional-competence):** [Guide: Transport manager CPC](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/transport-manager-cpc) - **PSV operator licence:** An operator licence for public service vehicles. You need one to run a vehicle that can carry 9 or more passengers for hire or reward, or a smaller vehicle charging separate fares. _Also called: public service vehicle operator licence, PSV O-licence, bus operator licence._ - **PSV operator licence:** [Guide: PSV operator licence check](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/psv-operator-licence-check) - **Public inquiry:** A formal tribunal hearing where a traffic commissioner decides a licence application, reviews an operating centre or considers regulatory action against an operator or transport manager. _Also called: PI, traffic commissioner hearing._ - **Public inquiry:** [Guide: Public inquiries](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/traffic-commissioner-public-inquiry) ## R - **Regulatory action:** Action a traffic commissioner takes against a licence when an operator fails to meet its requirements, such as revoking, suspending or curtailing it. Written decisions are published on GOV.UK. _Also called: regulatory decision._ - **Regulatory action:** [Guide: Curtailed, suspended, revoked](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/curtailed-suspended-revoked) - **Restricted licence:** A licence type for carrying the holder's own goods in connection with its business. It does not allow carrying other people's goods for hire or reward. A restricted PSV licence covers at most two small vehicles. _Also called: R, restricted O-licence._ - **Restricted licence:** [Guide: Restricted vs standard licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/restricted-vs-standard) - **Revocation:** A traffic commissioner's direction that ends an operator licence. Grounds include loss of good repute, financial standing or professional competence, broken undertakings and false statements. It can come with disqualification. _Also called: revoked._ - **Revocation:** [Guide: Curtailed, suspended, revoked](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/curtailed-suspended-revoked) ## S - **Safety inspection:** A periodic inspection of a vehicle or trailer at the interval the operator declared on VOL. It should cover at least the items in the annual test, and a record must be completed for each one. _Also called: preventative maintenance inspection._ - **Safety inspection:** [Guide: Compliance checklist](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-compliance-checklist) - **[Schedule 4 transfer](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/schedule-4-transfer):** A way to move an operating centre from one heavy goods vehicle licence to another without advertising, on the same terms, with the same vehicle and trailer numbers, conditions and undertakings. Approval is at the traffic commissioner's discretion. _Also called: Schedule 4, operating centre transfer._ - **[Schedule 4 transfer](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/schedule-4-transfer):** [Guide: Operating centre rules](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operating-centre-rules) - **Section 19 permit:** A permit under the Transport Act 1985 that lets a not-for-profit organisation carry passengers for hire or reward without a PSV operator licence, for purposes such as education, religion, social welfare or recreation. _Also called: s19 permit, minibus permit._ - **Section 19 permit:** [Guide: Section 19 and 22 permits](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/section-19-permit) - **Section 22 permit:** A community bus permit. It lets a not-for-profit body run a local bus service for the general public without a PSV operator licence, using vehicles adapted to carry 9 or more passengers. _Also called: community bus permit, s22 permit._ - **Section 22 permit:** [Guide: Section 19 and 22 permits](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/section-19-permit) - **Senior Traffic Commissioner:** The traffic commissioner appointed with powers over the others. The Senior Traffic Commissioner deploys commissioners to traffic areas and issues the statutory guidance and directions known as the Statutory Documents. _Also called: STC._ - **Special restricted licence:** A PSV licence only for holders of a taxi or private hire vehicle licence. It lets them run a registered local bus service with stops no more than 15 miles apart. _Also called: taxi bus licence._ - **Special restricted licence:** [Guide: PSV operator licence check](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/psv-operator-licence-check) - **[Specified vehicle](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/specified-vehicle):** A vehicle recorded by registration number on an operator licence, within the number authorised. Each one gets an identity disc, and a goods vehicle must not be used until its disc is displayed. _Also called: vehicles specified, VehiclesSpecified._ - **[Specified vehicle](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/specified-vehicle):** [Guide: Vehicles on a licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/vehicles-on-an-operator-licence) - **[Standard international licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/standard-international):** A standard licence type that lets the holder carry its own goods and other people's goods for hire or reward, both in the UK and on international journeys. Goods holders also receive a UK Licence for the Community. _Also called: SI, SI licence, standard international operator licence._ - **[Standard international licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/standard-international):** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) - **Standard national licence:** A standard licence type that lets the holder carry its own goods in the UK or abroad, and other people's goods for hire or reward only in the United Kingdom. _Also called: SN, SN licence._ - **Standard national licence:** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) - **Statutory Documents:** The Senior Traffic Commissioner's statutory guidance and directions on operator licensing. Commissioners must act under the directions and have regard to the guidance, and the Upper Tribunal treats them as a useful starting point. _Also called: SDs, statutory guidance and directions._ - **[Statutory objector](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/statutory-objector):** A body with a legal right to object to a goods licence application, such as the police, a local authority, a planning authority or a prescribed trade union or association. Objections are due within 21 days of publication. _Also called: objector._ - **[Statutory objector](https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary/statutory-objector):** [Guide: Objecting to an application](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/object-to-an-operator-licence-application) - **Subsidiary:** A company controlled by another company, its holding company. A holding company's goods licence can include vehicles of any named subsidiary it owns more than 50% of. _Also called: holding company._ - **Surrender:** When a licence holder asks the traffic commissioner to end its licence. The commissioner must agree unless they are considering regulatory action against it. Surrenders are listed in Applications and Decisions. _Also called: surrendered._ - **Suspension:** A traffic commissioner's direction that stops a licence being used for a period. The licence stays in force, but no vehicles are authorised to be used under it while it is suspended. _Also called: suspended._ - **Suspension:** [Guide: Curtailed, suspended, revoked](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/curtailed-suspended-revoked) ## T - **Termination:** When a licence ends automatically, for example because the continuation fee was not paid on time or an individual holder has died. Terminated licences are listed in Applications and Decisions. _Also called: terminated._ - **Termination:** [Guide: Operator licence continuation](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-continuation) - **Traffic area:** One of the eight areas Great Britain is divided into for operator licensing. Each has a traffic commissioner, and a goods operator needs a licence in each traffic area where it has an operating centre. _Also called: TA._ - **Traffic area:** [Guide: Traffic areas](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/traffic-areas) - **Traffic commissioner:** An independent regulator who grants operator licences and can take action against operators and transport managers in a traffic area. Commissioners are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport but act independently. _Also called: TC._ - **Traffic commissioner:** [Guide: Public inquiries](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/traffic-commissioner-public-inquiry) - **Trailers authorised:** The maximum number of trailers a goods operator licence allows. Operators need authority for every trailer they tow, whether they own them or not. _Also called: trailer authorisation, NumberOfTrailersAuthorised._ - **Trailers authorised:** [Guide: Vehicles on a licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/vehicles-on-an-operator-licence) - **Transport manager:** The professionally competent person who manages an operator's transport activities effectively and continuously. A standard licence must nominate one; a restricted licence does not need one. Goods transport managers must be resident in the UK. _Also called: TM._ - **Transport manager:** [Guide: Transport manager CPC](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/transport-manager-cpc) - **Transport Manager CPC:** The Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence, the qualification needed to be a transport manager. There are road haulage and passenger versions, the exam has 2 parts, and you do not need a driving licence. _Also called: TM CPC, CPC._ - **Transport Manager CPC:** [Guide: Transport manager CPC](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/transport-manager-cpc) ## U - **UK Licence for the Community:** A document that standard international goods licence holders need for hire or reward journeys in the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It is free for standard international holders and valid until the licence's 5-yearly renewal date. _Also called: Community licence, UKLC._ - **UK Licence for the Community:** [Guide: Operator licence types](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-types) - **Undertakings:** Promises an operator makes to the traffic commissioner and that are recorded on the licence, for example about maintenance or vehicle movements. An unfulfilled undertaking is a ground for revocation, suspension or curtailment. _Also called: undertaking._ - **Undertakings:** [Guide: Undertakings and conditions](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/operator-licence-undertakings) - **Upper Tribunal:** The tribunal that hears appeals against traffic commissioner decisions, through its Administrative Appeals Chamber. Notice of appeal must be received within one month of the date the decision was sent. _Also called: UT, Administrative Appeals Chamber._ - **Upper Tribunal:** [Guide: Public inquiries](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/traffic-commissioner-public-inquiry) ## V - **Variation:** A change to an existing operator licence, applied for through VOL. Some variations are free, such as removing an operating centre or upgrading the licence type; others are chargeable. _Also called: licence variation._ - **Vehicle Operator Licensing (VOL):** The online service operators use to apply for and change operator licences. DVSA's open register lists licence holders as recorded on the Vehicle Operator Licensing database. _Also called: VOL, VOL self service._ - **Vehicles authorised:** The maximum number of motor vehicles an operator licence allows the holder to use. It is set when the licence is granted, shown on the licence, and raised only through a chargeable variation. _Also called: authorised vehicles, vehicle authorisation, NumberOfVehiclesAuthorised._ - **Vehicles authorised:** [Guide: Vehicles on a licence](https://haulierscope.co.uk/guides/vehicles-on-an-operator-licence) ## About this glossary Every definition is checked against GOV.UK or legislation.gov.uk and re-checked at least once a year. Register figures come from the DVSA operator licence data. Read how we write and check content in our [editorial standards](https://haulierscope.co.uk/editorial-standards), see the field definitions in our [methodology](https://haulierscope.co.uk/methodology), or [run a free operator licence check](https://haulierscope.co.uk/). --- Canonical page: https://haulierscope.co.uk/glossary Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Companies House data. HaulierScope is an independent service, not affiliated with DVSA or the Traffic Commissioners. It is updated when DVSA publishes a new file, usually weekly.