Horsebox owners - Do you need an Operators Licence or a Tachograph?

VOSA (the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) are increasingly stopping horsebox owners that are using horseboxes large enough to come under HGV Operators License and Tachograph Legislation.

There is a lot of information available, much of it is misleading, confusing or doesn't provide the answers you need!

The Missina LoRanger 

 

 Much of the information is produced by organisations and private individuals that don't have any experience in the area; the legislation in question is complex and detailed. The following guidelines have been provided by a company that deals in operator licensing on a daily basis. 

Please read on for further information, but if you require any further clarification, please visit the VOSA website by clicking here
 

DO YOU NEED AN OPERATORS LICENSE?

HERE ARE THE FACTS

• If you are using a vehicle with a Gross Plated Weight (GPW) of above 3.5 tonnes in connection with a trade or business, then you need an Operators License.


• If you are using a vehicle for private use then you do not need an Operators License regardless of weight. However, you may need to use a tachograph if the vehicle is over 7.5 tonnes Gross Plated Weight.

USING A TRAILER

• If you are towing a trailer that has an unladen weight of 1020Kg or below then it is not counted towards the weight of your vehicle.


• If your trailer has a GPW of above 1020Kg then it is counted towards the weight of the vehicle.

TYPES OF OPERATORS LICENSE

Restricted Operators License

If carrying goods that are your own in connection with your own trade or business, a Restricted Operators License is needed.

Standard National Operators License

If carrying goods for other people in connection with a trade or business for hire or reward. Then a Standard National Operators License is needed.

Standard International Operators License

A Standard International Operators License is needed to operate for hire or reward outside the UK.

DO YOU NEED A TACHOGRAPH?

HERE ARE THE FACTS

• If the vehicle has a GPW (Gross Plated Weight) of over 3.5 tonnes and is used in connection with a trade or business then you need to use a tachograph.


• If the vehicle has a GPW of under 7.5 tonnes and is used for private use only (not used in connection with a trade or business) then you do not need a tachograph.


• If the vehicle has a GPW of over 7.5 tonnes irrespective of private or business use then by law you need to use a tachograph.

EXAMPLES

1. Emma has a horsebox which has a Gross Plated Weight of 7.5 tonnes. She uses it to transport her horse around the UK to shows, there is no financial gain or payment in kind for participation in the show. Melissa does not need an Operators License and she does not need to use a Tachograph.

2. Wendy has a horsebox which has a Gross Plated Weight of 7.5 tonnes. She uses it to transport her horse around the UK to shows. So far this year she has made £20,000 in winnings and has secured sponsorship deals with several businesses. Wendy is considered to be working 'in connection with a trade or business' because of the sponsorships and making significant financial gain because of the prize money, therefore Wendy would need to have a Restricted Operators Licence and use a Tachograph.

3. Lisa has a horsebox which has a Gross Plated Weight of 26 tonnes and she uses it to transport her own horses around the UK for personal use. No sponsorships are involved and the vehicle is registered to herself. Lisa would not require an Operators License but she would be required to use a tachograph due to the weight of the vehicle.
 
4. Jennifer breeds horses which she then sells for financial gain or payment in kind. She transports the horses in a 7.5 tonne horsebox. Jennifer is running a business, she would need a she would need a restricted Operators License and would need to use a tachograph.

For more information, visit http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/