becoming a horse transported

[kate]

Does anyone know a good website to look at regarding the above. A friend wants me to go into it with him, I said i'm sure you have to be licenced even on a small box/trailer. Does anyone on here do this that could offer advice, we are only going to have 1 box, 2 horses max.

[anon]

You need a qualified and registered Transport Manager - even for 1 3.5 tonne box.
The box needs to be serviced every 6 weeks
The insurance in mega-bucks

[lynette]

OK Kate lets give you the correct advise
For a box up to 3.5 tonne you do not need an Operator's Licence. However you do still need to keep certain records and that is a log book for the lorry showing distance and times it was used for transport (this can be purchased from your local stationery shop) You also need to hold the correct tax and insurance for the vehicle to show it is being used for Hire and Reward and you will also have to hold the correct insurance for the goods that you carry. Regular safety checks will also need to be carried out on the vehicle to make sure that it is kept in a roadworthy condition
Over 3.5 tonne the regulations alter in that you then need to show an Operators Disc on the lorry beside your normal tax disc. Your premises or where the lorry is normally parked when not in use has to be licenced and one of the biggests things they insist on now is that the vehicle has to be able to enter and leave in a forward gear so none of this driving into the driveway and backing out onto the road. A nominated Transport Manager who is also the CPC Holder for the business. Tachograph regulations apply and all persons who handle the animals must be certificated to show they are competent. The vehicle must be submitted for Safety checks every 6 weeks or 6,000 miles whichever is the sooner. You can carry out your own maintenance on the vehicle if you have the facilities otherwise the maintenance is contracted out to your choice of Commercial Garage.
A Drivers Defect System for the lorry which should be filled in every time the lorry is used.
Make sure you keep all your paperwork up to date as the Ministry can cold call and check everything is in order although they usually phone and arrange a suitable time.
Hope this helps but otherwise look on the VOSA site

[gem]

I looked into doing this with my friend, it has new laws. When I spoke to defra I think it was they said that you have to have two people operating at all times, I was also told that you would need to be licenced now and that you must be correctly insured.

When I looked into it, the costs involved meant that we would have had to earn a massive amount even to cover costs

[lynette]

Gem
You spoke to the wrong people. VOSA are responsible for all licencing not DEFRA.

[Wolf]

There are 2 licenses that are required;-
An operator license permits you to transport a horse for payment. For an operator to do this without a license means that their insurance would not be valid. If stopped by the police an unlicenced operator could have their lorry and cargo impounded.

A DEFRA licence covers the welfare of the horse in transit. You have to comply with journey times and washing out the lorry as examples.These licences show that you take the welfare of the horse seriously.

[lynette]

There is no "Licence" issued by DEFRA. You get a Certificate of Competence which every handler of the horse in transit must have and which is issued by the Employer if you are employed by a Transport Firm. A Specific Authorisation Number is also issued by DEFRA if you transport horses for more than 8 hours or internationally like we do

[kate]

thankyou so much for replying, friend is on phone now sorting things out.