New O Licence application
Discussion
Decided that I'm going to get an 'O' Licence for my business and run a bigger van (probably a 7 tonne Iveco Daily panel van).
It probably wont get used that much, Couple of time a month on average (12000 miles a year), but will make life much easier on certain jobs. I have a class C driving licence, so the 'O' Licence will allow me to hire bigger stuff If I need it (I presume?)
First decision I need to make is: - Do I apply for a Restricted Licence (technically all I really need to transport our own kit around), or go for a Standard Licence since I guess I'll still have the same running costs on the the van regarding 6 weekly checks etc. Although I understand I'd need to do a Transport Manager CPC course. But with the Standard Licence It possibly gives me an option to offer services when I'm otherwise quiet?
It probably wont get used that much, Couple of time a month on average (12000 miles a year), but will make life much easier on certain jobs. I have a class C driving licence, so the 'O' Licence will allow me to hire bigger stuff If I need it (I presume?)
First decision I need to make is: - Do I apply for a Restricted Licence (technically all I really need to transport our own kit around), or go for a Standard Licence since I guess I'll still have the same running costs on the the van regarding 6 weekly checks etc. Although I understand I'd need to do a Transport Manager CPC course. But with the Standard Licence It possibly gives me an option to offer services when I'm otherwise quiet?
Driver CPC is almost all on line now, so I'd just Google for the cheapest you can find. TM CPC is relatively easy, if you're half bright. I bought a pack from the RHA and read it on all my breaks and nights out for about 6 months, then booked a day's preparation and the test at a local training school. The day's preparation was an eye opener. I reckon 70% of the people there would have struggled to tie their laces, far less pass the exam. It's mostly a memory test, with a big dash of RTFQ.
JZZ30 said:
Decided that I'm going to get an 'O' Licence for my business and run a bigger van (probably a 7 tonne Iveco Daily panel van).
It probably wont get used that much, Couple of time a month on average (12000 miles a year), but will make life much easier on certain jobs. I have a class C driving licence, so the 'O' Licence will allow me to hire bigger stuff If I need it (I presume?)
First decision I need to make is: - Do I apply for a Restricted Licence (technically all I really need to transport our own kit around), or go for a Standard Licence since I guess I'll still have the same running costs on the the van regarding 6 weekly checks etc. Although I understand I'd need to do a Transport Manager CPC course. But with the Standard Licence It possibly gives me an option to offer services when I'm otherwise quiet?
A couple of times a month? The cost of obtaining and maintaining your various licences and permits plus the time, admin and record-keeping to satisfy the DVSA will completely eclipse what it would cost you to pick up the phone twice a month and arrange for a subbie to move your stuff.It probably wont get used that much, Couple of time a month on average (12000 miles a year), but will make life much easier on certain jobs. I have a class C driving licence, so the 'O' Licence will allow me to hire bigger stuff If I need it (I presume?)
First decision I need to make is: - Do I apply for a Restricted Licence (technically all I really need to transport our own kit around), or go for a Standard Licence since I guess I'll still have the same running costs on the the van regarding 6 weekly checks etc. Although I understand I'd need to do a Transport Manager CPC course. But with the Standard Licence It possibly gives me an option to offer services when I'm otherwise quiet?
Lemming Train said:
A couple of times a month? The cost of obtaining and maintaining your various licences and permits plus the time, admin and record-keeping to satisfy the DVSA will completely eclipse what it would cost you to pick up the phone twice a month and arrange for a subbie to move your stuff.
I have thought about this, but the sheer convenience of loading when I want, unloading at site etc exactly when I need it is worth a lot to me.The bar for passing the Operator CPC has, IMVHO, been lowered too far. Just my opinion though. I did mine in 2007 and thought it was fairly tough. 5 exams, a lot of reading and realistically you need a week of classroom input before hand with one day on each module. My wife did it at the same time as me and she failed one of the exams and she holds 2 degrees, one in science and a law degree! Passed on a re-sit but it just shows it was not exactly a cake walk and I think having zero knowledge on the subject (as she did) makes it twice as hard.
Now its just 2 exams, the multi choice which anyone can pass with some light reading and has a 70% pass mark.
The second is a written test which is more difficult but the pass mark is only 50%. Which is where I have an issue. It should be 70%. Because if a TM can only get the answer right 50% of the time then IMVHO they should not be doing the job.
Still, I digress.
Cost is about £700-900 for Operator CPC.
Your periodic inspections will almost certainly have to be contracted out unless you are a time served mechanic and have a full workshop. Most new operators start on 6 weeks. You can change the inspection intervals once they have some data on you. We are on 7 weeks, we only operate a 44 hour week though and had 100% MOT pass rate at the time of change plus good roadside encounters.
Some other costs to consider
Insurance, its more expensive for larger vehicles.
MOT costs, MOT prep - unless its a very new vehicle dont be shocked with bills of a few grand to get a vehicle through MOT.
If you are contracting out the maintenance you need to be ready for some costs because they wont sign the vehicle off for certain faults. For example say they find a drag link with excessive wear they are not going to sign it off till you replace it.
Fuel, larger vehicles drink diesel. And adblue.
Things like driver cost, I appreciate you are going to DIY but what happens when you cant? Being sat behind the wheel when you could be doing other things is very frustrating. I speak from personal experience.
Accidents and incidents. They happen a lot more often with larger vehicles.
Now its just 2 exams, the multi choice which anyone can pass with some light reading and has a 70% pass mark.
The second is a written test which is more difficult but the pass mark is only 50%. Which is where I have an issue. It should be 70%. Because if a TM can only get the answer right 50% of the time then IMVHO they should not be doing the job.
Still, I digress.
Cost is about £700-900 for Operator CPC.
Your periodic inspections will almost certainly have to be contracted out unless you are a time served mechanic and have a full workshop. Most new operators start on 6 weeks. You can change the inspection intervals once they have some data on you. We are on 7 weeks, we only operate a 44 hour week though and had 100% MOT pass rate at the time of change plus good roadside encounters.
Some other costs to consider
Insurance, its more expensive for larger vehicles.
MOT costs, MOT prep - unless its a very new vehicle dont be shocked with bills of a few grand to get a vehicle through MOT.
If you are contracting out the maintenance you need to be ready for some costs because they wont sign the vehicle off for certain faults. For example say they find a drag link with excessive wear they are not going to sign it off till you replace it.
Fuel, larger vehicles drink diesel. And adblue.
Things like driver cost, I appreciate you are going to DIY but what happens when you cant? Being sat behind the wheel when you could be doing other things is very frustrating. I speak from personal experience.
Accidents and incidents. They happen a lot more often with larger vehicles.
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