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Operating centres and licence conditions
The places vehicles are normally kept, and the conditions attached to the licence.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
An operating centre is the base where vehicles are normally kept, named on the operator licence. The licence can also carry conditions, such as how many vehicles may be kept there, hours of movement, or environmental undertakings. You need authority from the traffic commissioner before you add a centre, increase vehicle numbers, or change the way the centre is used.
Who holds it
The operator keeps the licence schedule, any conditions, and proof of permission to use the centre (planning permission or the landowner’s permission where that was required for the application).
At a visit
Staff will compare where vehicles are actually parked overnight with the centres on the licence. Using an unauthorised yard, or keeping more vehicles there than allowed, is treated as a breach of the licence.