An ‘O’ licence must be obtained in each Traffic Are in which there is an operating centre. UK legislation defines an operating centre as the base or centre where the vehicle is normally kept. “Normally kept” means the place where the vehicle is usually parked when not in use. This might not always be the same as the transport company’s depot, as often vehicles are regularly parked at a customer’s premises or even at the driver’s house. In such cases then the customer’s premises or the driver’s house would constitute the operating centre and details must be included on the ‘O’ licence application.

An operator can only hold one ‘O’ licence in each Traffic Areas.

If an operator has operating centres in several different locations within the same Traffic Area, then only one ‘O’ licence will be required. Alternatively, if there are several operating centres each in different Traffic Areas, then a separate ‘O’ licence to cover vehicles in each Traffic Area will be necessary. Organisations holding existing ‘O’ licences or wishing to apply for ‘O’ licences in more than one Traffic Area can be allocated a Lead Traffic Commissioner who will deal with all application and compliance issues.