How long does an EU licence application take?

Timing depends on the authority, region and completeness of the file. Several weeks are often required after a complete submission; only the competent authority can provide a binding estimate.

Can verkehrsleiter24 guarantee the licence?

No. The competent authority alone decides whether to issue the licence. We support the structure, transport-manager assignment, documents and process, but cannot guarantee approval.

Can I appoint an external transport manager?

An external appointment is generally possible where the legal and operational requirements are met. Suitability, agreement, effective management and permitted capacity must fit the specific operator.

Which documents should I prepare first?

Typical requirements include company and register details, good-repute evidence, proof of financial standing and transport-manager documents. The exact list depends on the authority and company situation.

Apply for an EU operator licence

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.

Get started View the five steps

Who needs the licence?

Vehicle weight and use determine whether you are affected.

> 3.5 t

Commercial road haulage using vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass requires a licence for domestic and international operations.

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.

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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.

Authority guides for Germany’s 50 largest cities: Köln · Berlin · Hamburg · München · Frankfurt · Stuttgart · Düsseldorf · Dortmund · Essen · Leipzig · Bremen · Dresden · Hannover · Nürnberg · Duisburg · Bochum · Wuppertal · Bielefeld · Bonn · Münster · Mannheim · Karlsruhe · Augsburg · Wiesbaden · Mönchengladbach · Gelsenkirchen · Aachen · Braunschweig · Chemnitz · Kiel · Halle (Saale) · Magdeburg · Freiburg · Krefeld · Mainz · Lübeck · Erfurt · Oberhausen · Rostock · Kassel · Hagen · Potsdam · Saarbrücken · Hamm · Ludwigshafen · Mülheim an der Ruhr · Oldenburg · Osnabrück · Leverkusen · Heidelberg

This is how the application works – with our support at every step.

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

Get started Process questions

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