Home › UK Rules › Driving › Businesses › Supplying a Large Goods Trailer for Use on the Road
Permission to Supply Large Goods Trailers

As a rule, you will need permission from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to supply a large goods trailer if it will be used on the roads in the United Kingdom.

DVSA use a 'letter of service consent' (form TES1) to grant permission for 'final suppliers' of heavy goods trailers for use on the road.

Large Goods Trailers Requiring Permission

The application for entry into service consent is for utility trailers that:

  • Carry goods and weigh more than 1020 kilograms ‘unladen weight‘ (not carrying cargo or any other load).
  • Meet the specifications of a semi-trailer.

Certain types of goods trailers do not require a letter of consent from the DVSA. Schedule 2 of the ‘Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988’ provides more guidance.

Check if You Need to Get Permission

As a ‘final supplier’ of heavy goods trailers you will need to apply for permission to supply a large goods trailer to be used on the road. The definition of final suppliers would be anyone who manufactures trailers, or:

  • Deals in utility trailers
  • Imports new trailers

Note: Trailer dealers (or importers) only need permission from the DVSA if it has not already been granted. For example, the manufacturer did not apply for permission for a trailer built overseas of the United Kingdom.

The date that the trailer got put into service in the United Kingdom will determine the date when you need to get permission to supply goods trailers for use on the road.

  • Special purpose trailers need permission from the 29th of October 2014 (e.g. boat launching trailers, certain types of trailer caravans, gritters, and towed machinery).
  • Trailers manufactured in multiple stages need permission from the 29th of October 2013.
  • Trailers manufactured in a single stage need permission from the 29th of October 2012.

As a rule, the DVSA will have already granted permission for trailers supplied after the specified dates. So, goods vehicle operators would not need to apply for permission to use them on the roads in Britain.

You can call or email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helpline to check whether a trailer qualifies as ‘special purpose’.

DVSA Helpline
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
List of telephone rates.

Note: Supplying or using goods trailers without getting permission first is an offence that can result in a fine.

How to Apply for DVSA Permission

Use Form TES1 from the GOV.UK website to apply for permission to supply new large goods trailers for use on the road (category O2, O3, and O4).

Vehicle Approval

In some cases, you may also need to send evidence of vehicle approval (depending on the manufacture date of the trailer).

TRAILER TYPE DATE OF MANUFACTURE VEHICLE APPROVAL
Trailers manufactured in single and multiple stages (excludes special purpose) Up to the 29th of July 2012 Not required
Trailers manufactured in a single stage (excludes special purpose) After the 29th of July 2012 Required
Trailers manufactured in multiple stages (excludes special purpose) After the 29th of July 2012 up to the 29th of July 2013 Partial approval (at least one element)
Trailers manufactured in multiple stages (excludes special purpose) After the 29th of July 2013 Required
Special Purpose trailers manufactured in a single stage Up to the 29th of July 2012 Required
Special Purpose trailers manufactured in multiple stages After the 29th of July 2013 Required

There are several different documents you can use to provide evidence of vehicle approval. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will accept (either):

The forms and the guidance notes are also available from the DVSA helpline. Fill in the relevant forms and send them with any supporting documentation to:

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Trailer Section
Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea
SA1 8AN

Note: DVSA guidance notes explain how to fill in the application for permission to supply new large goods trailers to be used on the road. Use Form TES1 Multi App for multiple application for consent.

Applying for a Ministry Number

There is a way to apply for a trailer identification number and allocate it during the construction of new-build trailers (also called a ministry number).

Important: Use Form TES 2 to submit the vehicle identification number (VIN).

After Making an Application

The DVSA need to confirm that your application meets their requirements. Following that, they will then send a ‘letter of consent to supply’ to the applicant.

In some cases, they will also supply the applicant with ministry plates for the trailer. But, this only applies where the approval documents and the application provide them with sufficient technical information to do so.

Note: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will send a letter that explains the reasons why if they decide to reject an application.

Getting DVSA Permission to Supply Heavy Goods Trailers in United Kingdom