TMCPC Introduction Webinar

Light Goods Vehicle Compliance Crunch

The UK implemented parts of the EU Mobility Package under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement after Brexit, expanding goods operator licensing to cover vehicles over 2.5 tonnes up to 3.5 tonnes used for hire or reward internationally. This change, effective from May 2022, brought vans and light commercial vehicles into the same regulatory fold as heavier HGVs, requiring operators to appoint a transport manager holding a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Transitional 'acquired rights' allowed some operators to continue without a fully qualified transport manager for a limited period, but these time-limited provisions were set to expire after 20 May 2025. As 2026 begins, the grace period has ended, meaning all affected operators must now meet the full professional competence requirement or face enforcement.

The stakes are high for businesses relying on lighter vehicles for cross-border work, including many in e-commerce, parcel delivery, and regional logistics. Non-compliance can lead to traffic commissioners revoking or suspending operator licences, imposing financial penalties, or barring international operations entirely. Smaller operators, who often lack in-house expertise or resources to hire qualified managers, face disproportionate impact.

A non-obvious tension lies in the dual pressures of regulatory convergence and domestic priorities: while the rules align with EU standards to maintain trade access, they add administrative and cost burdens at a time when the sector grapples with driver shortages, rising fuel costs, and decarbonisation mandates. Some stakeholders argue the extension to lighter vehicles over-regulates small businesses without clear safety gains, while authorities emphasise uniform standards to prevent undercutting and ensure accountability.