• The UK Licence for the Community is the accepted document for UK road freight movements within Europe.
• It consists of an original plus certified copies corresponding to the number of vehicles authorised on the operator's licence.
• Example in the source: an International O licence for 15 vehicles plus 5 on the margin could result in 1 original and 20 certified copies.
• The original is kept at the designated operating centre.
• Certified copies must be carried on the vehicles and made available to enforcement authorities in the UK and abroad.

9.1 ISSUE AND VALIDITY

• Licences are issued by Traffic Commissioners for each Traffic Area.
• For a hire-and-reward operator, issue is automatic when a Standard International O licence is granted.
• The source states that licences are issued for 5 years, starting from the first issue date of the International Goods Vehicle Operator's Licence.

9.2 CONDITIONS

• Allows transport operations between EU Member States.
• Also covers the EU part of journeys starting in an EU Member State and ending in a non-EU country.
• Covers the EU part of journeys starting in a non-EU country and ending in an EU Member State.
• Covers transport between non-EU countries while transiting one or more EU Member States.
• It is a 'quality licence': UK International Operator's Licence conditions continue to apply abroad.
• Operators must comply with drivers' hours, vehicle/axle weights, maintenance standards and operator-repute requirements.
• The source states that infringements committed in another EU Member State can be communicated to the operator's home Traffic Area Office within 3 months.
• The home Traffic Area Office may review the facts and take further action even if action was already taken in the country where the offence occurred.

9.3 PENALTIES

• Serious breaches can lead to withdrawal of the UK Licence for the Community.
• Ultimately, the Traffic Commissioner may revoke the operator's O licence entirely.