The O License rules changed in May 2022, Basically any rig with a combined plated MAM over 3500kg needs one. Which I would imagine is most of us. So who has one? It’s no longer just the 7.5 toners that are affected a transit and chipper rig would too.
Here’s a link to the rules:
When a goods vehicle operator’s licence is needed
You will usually need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if you use a goods vehicle of over 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight or (where there is no plated weight) an unladen weight of more than 1,525kg, to transport goods for hire or reward or in connection with a trade or business.
You will also need a licence if you carry goods for hire or reward on international journeys when using a vehicle (or a vehicle combination) with a maximum laden weight of more than 2.5 tonnes. Find out how to get ready for the new rules.
For a vehicle and trailer combination, you will usually need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if the maximum laden weight or unladen weight of the vehicle and trailer combined exceed 3.5 tonnes (or 2.5 tonnes if carrying goods for hire or reward in Europe).
If you only carry your own goods in a vehicle of 3.5 tonnes or less and your trailer’s unladen weight is less than 1,020 kg you may not need an operator’s licence for operating within the United Kingdom.
For the purpose of operator licensing, ‘goods’ means burden of any description. For example, a tractor unit is a goods vehicle and where a unit is conveying empty trailers to and from the testing station, it would be regarded as the carriage of goods. In this case the ‘goods’ are the trailers.
Exemptions from goods vehicle operator licensing
Some vehicles (or usage) are exempt from requiring an operator’s licence. The full list of exemptions can be found at Annex 3.
These exemptions cover national journeys only. Operators travelling internationally should check the laws in the country to which they are travelling to make sure they have the appropriate licence/documentation for their journey.
Any use of a vehicle which relies on an exemption, must fall exclusively within that exemption. Any operation outside of an exemption requires an operator’s licence no matter how short the period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that an exemption applies to your operation or vehicle.