Like commercial operators, community transport operators must hold a license if they are transporting passengers and receiving payment for their services.
This requirement applies to the use of any passenger vehicle, including cars, MPVs, and minibuses.
Not-for-profit community transport operators can access S19 or S10B permits which enable you to legally operate your passenger service without having to apply for a commercial PSV Operators licence.
CTA Member only Benefit
The Community Transport Association (CTA) is a designated permit issuing body, and we can issue section 19 and section 10B permits to our members.
If you wish to apply for a permit, please fill in the relevant online form below.
Section 19 – for operators in England, Wales or Scotland
Section 10B – for operators in Northern Ireland
You can hold permits from different designed bodies or the OTC the same time. If you are a member of CTA and hold permits with other bodies, then why not move them all to us as your permits expire.
While you must be a member of CTA this does not guarantee you will be issued a permit. These are considered using different criteria and we must ensure you meet all of these before issuing.
Please note: In March 2019, the Department for Transport issued a Statutory Instrument (SI) which amends the 1985 Transport Act to make clear that a permit can only be applied for, and held by, an organisation that is exempt from the directly applicable EU regulation (EC1071/2009) setting out the PSV operator licensing requirement.
On 1st October 2019, legislative effect was given to the ‘short distance’ exemption in Great Britain (only for England, Wales and Scotland). This has meant that CTA, as a designated body, has had to amend its application form for section 19 permits to take into account this new interpretation. There have been no changes to the section 10B application form.
Permit Application Forms
In April 2024 CTA launched a new online application process, please ensure to read the relevant guidance and complete all required questions.
CTA will process applications within 3 weeks, we do aim to issue permits within 5-10 working days. Please do not contact us to chase until 3 weeks has passed.
We recommend you apply for your permits at least 8 weeks before they are due to expire.
If you are not a member of CTA you will not be able to complete the forms below. Please click here to join before completing a form.
Operators in England, Wales and Scotland (only)
Section 19 Permits
ONLINE APPLICATION FOR A SECTION 19 STANDARD PERMIT
Download: Section 19 Standard Permit Guidance for Applicants
Operators in Northern Ireland (only)
Section 10B Permits
ONLINE APPLICATION FOR A SECTION 10B PERMIT
Download: Section 10B Small Bus Permit Guidance for Applicants
If you have any questions or would like some support completing the form, you can contact our advice service via advice@ctauk.org in the first instance.
Please ensure you have read the guidance document for the relevant permit. If you require a downloadable version of the application form, please email permits@ctauk.org
Please note, CTA is not able to issue section 22 permits.
If you want to apply for a section 22 permit you will have to contact the office of the Traffic Commissioner. You can access their application form here or call them on 0300 123 900.