What the changes mean
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All vehicles in Northern Ireland over 3.5 tonnes must be covered by an O-licence from 1 July 2012 All operators will have to meet standards of fitness and good repute, financial standing and professional competence as well as advertising their operating centres, meeting environmental standards and signing a series of undertakings.
Various transitional arrangements will come into force to allow existing operators to get licensed (see main copy).
From 1 July, the Department of Environment’s Transport Regulation Unit (TRU) will be responsible for O-licensing in Northern Ireland.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency will continue to deal with testing and compliance. TRU will have the power to impound vehicles found on the public road without an O-licence when one is required.
Any operators applying for an O-licence after 1 July 2012 will be required to meet the standards of the new Goods Vehicle Act in full.