Road Freight Transport Operator

Road freight transport requires a licence communautaire (community license) for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight, or a licence de transport intérieur for lighter commercial vehicles. You must register in the national electronic register of road transport companies and meet requirements for professional capacity, financial standing, good repute, and stable establishment.

The DREAL (Direction régionale de l'environnement, de l'aménagement et du logement) processes license applications in most regions. Professional capacity is demonstrated by passing the transport manager exam or holding recognized equivalent qualifications. Financial capacity requirements depend on fleet size: 1,800 euros per vehicle for light transport and 9,000 euros for the first heavy vehicle.

Access Requirements

  • Registration: With commercial register or trades register AND national electronic register of road transport companies
  • Transport Manager: Mandatory designation to manage vehicle maintenance, contracts, accounting, safety and load assignment
  • Professional Capacity: Appropriate diploma/title OR continuous transport company management before 2009 OR successful written exam (subjects per EC regulation 1071/2009)
  • Light Transport (≤3.5t): Light transport capacity certificate issued by regional prefect

Financial Capacity and Establishment

  • Required Capital (≤3.5t): €1,800 for 1st vehicle, €900 per additional vehicle
  • Required Capital (>3.5t): €9,000 for 1st vehicle, €5,000 per additional vehicle
  • Bank Guarantee: Possible up to 50% of required financial capacity
  • Establishment: Headquarters in France, documents on premises (accounting, personnel management, driving time), at least 1 registered vehicle, effective and permanent operation

Licenses and Good Repute

  • Community License: Issued for vehicles >3.5 tons (10-year renewable validity)
  • Domestic Transport License: Issued for vehicles ≤3.5 tons (10-year renewable validity)
  • Certified Copies: As many as registered vehicles
  • Exclusions: Convictions for prohibited commercial activity, violations of transport/criminal/commercial/road/environmental codes