O-Licence ยท UK Operators

Fleet management
built for
O-licence holders.

Every HGV operator in the UK needs an Operator's Licence โ€” and keeping it means maintaining proper records. HauliK makes that easy.

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100%
Daily Checks
digital & timestamped
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15mo
Defect Records
retention minimum
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Auto
VOR Status
set on critical defect
โœ…
Full
Audit Trail
every check and action

What is an Operator's Licence and why does it matter?

Any business using vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight for commercial purposes in the UK must hold a Standard National or Standard International Operator's Licence, issued by the Traffic Commissioner.

The licence comes with strict obligations around vehicle maintenance, driver management and record-keeping. Failure to meet these obligations can result in the Traffic Commissioner calling you to a public inquiry โ€” and potentially losing your licence.

The Traffic Commissioner expects operators to demonstrate they have robust systems in place for daily vehicle checks, defect reporting and maintenance scheduling. HauliK provides a digital foundation for these records.

O-licence obligations at a glance

Daily walkaround checks
Drivers must carry out a daily check before every journey and report defects immediately.
Defect records
All defects raised and actions taken must be recorded and retained for 15 months.
Periodic maintenance inspections
Vehicles must be inspected at regular intervals by a qualified engineer. Records must be kept.
PMI scheduling: coming soon
Driver licence checks
Operators must check driver licences regularly via DVLA or a third-party service.
DVLA licence check integration: on roadmap
Drivers' hours compliance
Tachograph records must be downloaded, analysed and infringements investigated.
Tachograph integration: on roadmap

The cost of poor compliance

The consequences of inadequate record-keeping go beyond a roadside prohibition.

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Prohibition notice

A DVSA officer can issue an immediate prohibition on any vehicle they believe is not roadworthy or lacks adequate check records โ€” taking it off the road on the spot.

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Public inquiry

The Traffic Commissioner can call any operator to a public inquiry if there are concerns about compliance. Outcomes range from undertakings to full revocation of your licence.

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Licence revocation

In serious cases, an operator can lose their licence entirely โ€” meaning they cannot legally operate any HGV in the UK until the licence is restored.

Common questions

What records do I need to keep for my O-licence?

DVSA expect operators to keep records of daily walkaround checks, periodic maintenance inspections (PMIs), driver licence checks, tachograph data, and defect reports and actions. HauliK stores daily check records and defect history automatically. PMI scheduling and tachograph integration are on our product roadmap.

How long must I keep vehicle inspection records?

DVSA guidance recommends keeping vehicle maintenance and inspection records for a minimum of 15 months. HauliK retains all check and defect records for this period as a minimum. Records can be retained longer if needed.

What happens if I get a DVSA roadside check?

If a DVSA officer requests your check records, your transport manager can pull up the full digital record from any browser in seconds โ€” including the driver's name, vehicle, timestamp, GPS location and every check item completed. This can be shared digitally or printed on the spot.

Can HauliK help me prepare for a DVSA public inquiry?

HauliK provides a complete audit trail of daily checks and defect records. This documentation can support your position at a public inquiry. However, we always recommend consulting a transport solicitor for legal advice specific to your situation.

Does HauliK support tachograph analysis?

Not yet. Tachograph analysis and remote tachograph download are on the HauliK product roadmap. During beta, we focus on daily walkaround checks, job management, defect workflow and driver compliance. Tachograph integration is planned for a future release.