Supply a large goods trailer for use on the road

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1. Overview

You must apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for permission if you supply large goods trailers for use on the road.

This is called a 鈥榣etter of consent鈥� and applies to 鈥榝inal suppliers鈥�.

You need a letter of consent if your trailer:

  • is for carrying goods and weighs more than 1020kg when it鈥檚 not carrying any goods or other items (known as 鈥榰nladen weight鈥�)
  • is a semi-trailer

You do not need a letter of consent if your trailer is listed in .

2. Who needs permission

You need to get permission if you鈥檙e a 鈥榝inal supplier鈥� of trailers. Final suppliers are:

  • trailer manufacturers
  • trailer dealers
  • importers of new trailers

If you鈥檙e a dealer or importer, you only have to get permission if it has not already been obtained, for example if the trailer was built abroad and the manufacturer did not apply.

When you need to get permission depends on when the trailer was put into service in the UK.

Type of trailer When you need permission
Trailers manufactured in a single stage From 29 October 2012
Trailers manufactured in multiple stages From 29 October 2013
Special purpose trailers From 29 October 2014

Special purpose trailers include some trailer caravans, boat launching trailers, gritters and towed machinery. Check if your trailer is 鈥榮pecial purpose鈥� by calling the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helpline.

It鈥檚 an offence to supply or use these trailers without getting permission first and you could be fined.

If you鈥檙e an operator using large goods trailers on the road supplied after the dates above, you do not need to get permission - it should already have been given.

You can check this by calling the DVSA helpline.

DVSA helpline
[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Find out about call charges

3. How to apply

Apply using form TES1.

You might also need to send evidence of vehicle approval depending on when the trailer was manufactured.

Manufacture date Evidence of approval needed
Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in single and multiple stages Up to and including 29 July 2012 No
Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in a single stage After 29 July 2012 Yes
Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in multiple stages After 29 July 2012 up to and including 29 July 2013 Partial (at least one element of approval)
Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in multiple stages After 29 July 2013 Yes
Special Purpose trailers manufactured in a single stage After 29 July 2012 Yes
Special Purpose trailers manufactured in multiple stages After 29 July 2013 Yes

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) accepts the following evidence of vehicle approval:

  • a European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
  • a UK National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA) CoC
  • a UK Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificate

More details are in the guidance notes. There is an additional form if you want to apply for consent of multiple trailers.

You can also get the form and notes from the DVSA helpline:

DVSA helpline
[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Find out about call charges

Send the form and your supporting documents to:

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

Apply for a trailer identification number

You can apply for a trailer identification number (also known as a ministry number) to add to your trailer while it鈥檚 still being built.

Do this by submitting the vehicle identification number (VIN) using form TES 2.

After you apply

Once DVSA has received your application and confirmed that you meet the requirements you鈥檒l get a 鈥榣etter of consent to supply鈥�.

If applicable, you鈥檒l also get ministry plates, provided your approval documents and application give enough technical information.

If your application is rejected, DVSA will send you a letter explaining the reasons why.