> 3.5 t
Commercial road haulage
using vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass requires a licence for domestic and international operations.
EU operator licence · Section 3 GüKG
Your access to the European market – in five clear steps.
Commercial road haulage requires a permit under Section 3 GüKG or an EU operator licence. We check the requirements, provide your transport manager, prepare every document and support you through to approval.
Who needs the licence?
Vehicle weight and use determine whether you are affected.
2.5 t
Since May 2022
Vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes also require an EU licence and a transport manager for cross-border operations.
€0
Own-account carriage is exempt
Businesses transporting only their own goods for their own purposes do not need a licence or transport manager.
The three requirements
Three pillars under Regulation (EC) 1071/2009 – we help with all of them.
Pillar 1
Good repute
The operator and transport manager must have no relevant offences or adverse entries.
- Certificate of conduct for submission to authorities
- Driving Fitness Register extract
- Central Trade Register extract
Pillar 2
Financial standing
You demonstrate capital and reserves based on the number of vehicles.
- €9,000 for the first vehicle
- + €5,000 for every additional vehicle
- Confirmation by a tax adviser
Pillar 3
Professional competence
A nominated person with IHK professional competence manages transport operations internally or externally.
- IHK road-haulage competence examination
- Alternatively: our external transport manager
- Nomination to the licensing authority
The process
Five steps to your EU operator licence.
This is how the application works – with our support at every step.
We assess your situation together
You need three things: good repute, sufficient financial standing and a professionally competent transport manager. We identify what is already in place and what is missing.
Initial consultation · free
We organise a transport manager
You do not have to sit the IHK examination yourself. We arrange an IHK-qualified transport manager from our network.
This is our service
We gather every document
From certificates of conduct to evidence of capital: we tell you exactly which documents are still required for the application.
approx. 1–3 weeks
We apply for the EU licence
Verkehrsleiter24 submits the application to the competent authority on your behalf and handles follow-up questions.
Authority approx. 4–12 weeks
You receive the licence and start operating
Once the authority issues the licence, you can start. Verkehrsleiter24 continues supporting the smooth running of your business.
We remain by your side
Your document checklist
- Certificate of conduct for submission to an authority
- Driving Fitness Register extract
- Central Trade Register extract
- Clearance certificates from tax office, health insurer and accident insurance association
- Capital certificate from a tax adviser or sworn auditor
- Professional competence evidence or nomination of the transport manager
- Business registration or commercial register extract
Financial standing
- First vehicle (> 3.5 t)
- €9,000
- Every additional vehicle
- + €5,000
- Example: 3 vehicles
- €19,000
Evidence of capital and reserves under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) 1071/2009 – we show you which forms of evidence your authority accepts.
Authority guides for Germany’s 50 largest cities
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EU licence FAQ
The most common questions before applying.
Who needs an EU operator licence?+
Every business carrying goods commercially for third parties in vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass. Since 21 May 2022, the obligation also applies to vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes in cross-border transport. Own-account carriage is exempt.
How long does the application take?+
This depends heavily on the authority. Several weeks to around three months is realistic. Incomplete documentation and follow-up requests cause most delays, so we prepare a complete submission and follow up proactively.
Must I pass the IHK competence examination myself?+
No. An external transport manager nominated by contract can provide professional competence. We provide a qualified person, arrange the nomination and support your operations on an ongoing basis.
How long is an EU licence valid?+
An EU operator licence can be issued for up to ten years and renewed afterwards. The business receives the original and a certified copy for each vehicle, which must be carried in that vehicle.
What if my transport manager leaves or is unavailable?+
A new competent person must be nominated within the period set by the authority, otherwise the licence is at risk. We can quickly nominate a suitable external transport manager from our network.
What does the application cost?+
The authority sets its fees, partly according to the number of certified copies. Register extracts and certificates plus the selected service package are additional. We calculate the total transparently during the initial consultation.
Personally available
How to reach us.
Speak directly with our team or send a no-obligation access request.