Transport licensing holds no secrets for us! BOS provides comprehensive services to carriers across the country and also offers assistance in completing all formalities with the General Inspectorate of Road Transport / Office for International Transport.
Moreover, as a multi-agent insurance company, BOS offers a full range of insurance policies and support in securing the financial security required to obtain a license to provide transport services. Over 3,000 Polish and foreign companies have trusted us and benefited from our services, having renewed or obtained new licenses for domestic road transport of goods and passengers.
Contact details for domestic road transport licenses for companies:
Office:
+48 502 440 004
+48 502 350 502
+48 509 943 420
+48 515 253 642 – Driver’s certificates
What is a transport license?
It’s a document confirming that a company can legally transport people or goods. This applies only to commercial activities. It’s simply a permit to perform transport in accordance with the law. The essence of such a document is to ensure road safety for both other drivers and those who use the services of transport companies. The requirement to have a road transport license, or permit to practice as a carrier, is set forth in the Road Transport Act of August 15, 2013.
It’s worth noting that a license is a document that every entrepreneur conducting business that generates income from the transportation of goods or people must have. In other words, every entrepreneur providing transportation services must have such a license. The type of vehicle used for transportation is irrelevant – drivers of vehicles weighing 2.5 to 3.5 tons, as well as drivers of trucks or semi-trailers, should have such a document. A license for domestic road transport is only not required if the transport company does not generate income from its services. What does this mean in practice? An example of such activity would be the transportation of employees from other towns to remote workplaces.
Who can obtain a transport license?
A road transport license is a necessary document for businesses operating commercially through the transportation of passengers or goods. Importantly, however, not every business owner can obtain such a license. To obtain a license for domestic or international road transport, certain strict conditions must be met, which are regulated, among other things, by the Road Transport Act. What are these conditions?
- At least one person managing the company must have a certificate of professional competence.
- The business owner must not have been convicted by a final court judgment for tax offenses or any other offenses related to their profession.
- The business owner is not prohibited from conducting road transport activities.
- The business owner applying for the license must have a declaration of good repute.
- The business owner must have financial capacity – security equivalent to €9,000 for the first vehicle to be transported and €5,000 for each additional vehicle.
A transport license can be obtained by entrepreneurs who meet certain requirements, such as:
- Possessing a certificate of professional competence,
- Meeting criminal record requirements,
- Possessing an appropriate operating base,
- Meeting financial requirements, including a bank guarantee or professional liability insurance.
Transport License – how long does it take?
As mentioned, obtaining a transport license requires completing numerous formalities, which are later verified by officials. In the event of an error or failure to comply with the requirements, the entire process must be repeated.
However, we can assume that the waiting time for a road transport license is up to 30 days. In practice, offices complete such cases within 14 days. Once the document is obtained, you can legally conduct transport activities within the country.
What documents are required to obtain a road transport license?
When applying for a transport license for the transport of passengers or goods, a business must submit a number of necessary certificates. The following documents are required when submitting the application:
- an extract from the National Court Register (KRS)/Central Registration and Information on Business (CEIDG),
- a certificate of Tax Identification Number (NIP) and National Business Registry Number (REGON),
- a certificate of no criminal record,
- a copy of the Certificate of Professional Competence,
- confirmation of the required financial capacity,
- copies of documents for the vehicles covered by the domestic or international road transport license,
- proof of payment of the license fees,
- and possession of a transport base with at least one parking space.
How much does a transport license cost?
The cost of a Community license varies depending on its validity period and the number of vehicles registered.
– A period of up to 5 years costs PLN 4,000, with each registered vehicle costing an additional PLN 440;
– A period of 5 to 10 years costs PLN 8,000, with each registered vehicle costing an additional PLN 880.
A national license costs PLN 1,000, with each registered vehicle costing an additional PLN 100.
Lending a Transport License – is it possible?
A license for domestic and international road transport is assigned to a specific company, and many myths surround its lending. As we know, obtaining a license is preceded by numerous procedures. A license for domestic road transport is issued individually, based on the need to meet strictly defined requirements. Therefore, legally, it is impossible to legally share a license. Furthermore, the rights arising from a specific license cannot be transferred to other entities. This is regulated by the Road Transport Act, which states: “A permit to practice the profession of road transport operator or a license may not be transferred to third parties, nor may the rights arising from it be transferred to a third party.”
The only permissible option is to transfer license rights through a merger, division, or transformation, or through the acquisition of a company. The rights granted by a road transport license can also be transferred to an heir upon the death of a natural person holding a permit to practice the profession of transport operator and a Community license. However, even in such a situation, the entrepreneur to whom the license for domestic and/or international road transport is transferred must meet certain requirements. It is also worth mentioning the obligation of drivers engaged in the transport of passengers or goods. What obligation are we talking about? Every driver must carry valid documents related to the company’s transport activities.
Therefore, anyone who decides to lend their road transport license to third parties will be doing so illegally. Such insubordination may result in legal proceedings and, ultimately, even the revocation of the license of the carrier who granted it.
When is a license required for national and EU transport?
To conduct national road transport, carriers using vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons or transporting passengers using minibuses must have the appropriate license. However, if a business uses vehicles weighing under 3.5 tons or transports goods not for commercial purposes but for its own business, it is not required to have such a license.
When it comes to international transport, a EU license is a key document for businesses. While the rules for heavy transport have not changed for a long time, the regulations for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons have been updated. Previously, they were not required to have an international license, but from May 21, 2022, carriers using vehicles weighing over 2.5 tons must meet the same criteria as for heavy transport, which means they must have a EU license.
How long is a transport license valid?
You decide how long you want to obtain a license during the application process. A long-term transport license costs around PLN 8,000 (up to 10 years for a Community license) or PLN 1,000 (for a national license, valid for 30-50 years).
When does a transport license expire or become invalid?
The Road Transport Act also lists the situations in which a transport license expires:
- the liquidation of the company or a decision to declare it bankrupt,
- the death of the license holder,
- the expiry of the license period,
- the surrender of the license,
- the loss of the right to practice as a road transport operator (in the case of a Community license).
A transport license may also be revoked. This applies to situations where the license holder:
- fails to comply with regulations regarding working hours or driver qualifications,
- transfers the license or part of it to another person,
- does not continue the activity covered by the license and does not carry out road transport for at least six months due to reasons beyond their control, unless they have informed the relevant authority of the suspension of the license in accordance with the Act,
- does not meet the criteria necessary to conduct road transport activities,
- seriously violates the license conditions or other legal requirements relating to the activity covered by the license.
A license may also be revoked in the event of a final judgment prohibiting the performance of the activity covered by the license.
Which authority issues a transport license?
The Chief Inspector of Road Transport (GITD), located in Warsaw, is responsible for issuing transport licenses. To obtain a Community license, an entrepreneur must have a permit to operate as a road transport operator. It is possible to submit an application for a permit simultaneously with a license application. In this case, both documents are issued simultaneously by the same authority, namely the Chief Inspector of Road Transport.
What are the penalties for not having a transport license?
Vehicle drivers risk severe fines, which can reach up to PLN 12,000, if they do not have the appropriate license when transporting people or goods domestically.
Penalties for not having a license can be very severe and include:
- Heavy fines,
- Revocation of the transport license,
- Prohibition from conducting transport activities.
Forwarding license and transport license – differences
A license known as a “forwarding license” allows companies to act as intermediaries in the transportation industry. The main difference between it and a transport license lies in the relationship between the forwarder and the carrier.
Holding a forwarding license does not directly transport goods. Instead, they act as coordinators in the transportation process, connecting suppliers with appropriate carriers. Forwarders plan and organize transportation, select appropriate transport companies, negotiate contract terms, maintain documentation, and oversee the entire logistics process. Although they coordinate transportation, they are not directly responsible for the actual transportation. Their primary goal is to ensure that goods reach one destination via the appropriate carriers.
A transport license, on the other hand, grants companies the right to directly transport goods or people. Carriers with this license are responsible for the entire transportation process, from loading to unloading. They are responsible for the safety of the goods or passengers being transported.
Transport license requirements may vary depending on the size of the cargo or route. A freight forwarding license, however, has no such restrictions. Freight forwarders can organize transport both domestically and internationally, regardless of the mode of transport used.
In summary, the key difference between these two licenses lies in the entrepreneur’s role in the transport process. A freight forwarding license focuses on organization and coordination, while a transport license allows for the direct provision of transport services. Both are essential in the transport sector, but they have different responsibilities and obligations.
Who is not required to have a transport license?
Companies transporting goods in vehicles weighing no more than 2.5 tons (or 3.5 tons for internal transport) and those transporting passengers in vehicles designed to carry a maximum of 9 passengers including the driver are not required to have these transport licenses.
However, for domestic road passenger transport conducted by passenger cars, vehicles designed to carry 7 to 9 passengers including the driver, or taxis, a relevant national license issued by the relevant local authority is required.
In addition, there are legal regulations requiring a special document for companies for which transport is only a supplementary activity to their core business. Therefore, such companies can obtain a certificate of transport for their own needs. For internal transport, this document is issued by the District Office, while for international transport, the Chief Inspectorate of Road Transport is responsible.
License renewal and transfer
A transport license is not issued for an indefinite period, so holders must remember to renew their transport license. In the event of a change in company ownership, the license can also be transferred to another operator.
International License – what’s worth knowing?
An international transport license allows for the performance of international road transport and is issued pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009. Obtaining an international license involves additional requirements, such as having the appropriate financial and organizational resources.
How to obtain an international transport license?
In the case of a domestic road transport license, the scope of the transport itself is also important. A business planning to expand its road transport operations to other countries is required to obtain a Community license for international transport. When applying for an international license, it’s important to know that every vehicle that will be used in international transport must be registered for a Community license. Otherwise, the vehicle will not be permitted to perform international assignments.
An international license is issued for a period of 5 or 10 years. Similar to obtaining a domestic license, the application must be accompanied by documents such as a declaration confirming permanent residence in Poland, a certificate of no criminal record, documents confirming financial capacity, and a certificate of professional competence. Importantly, when applying for an international license, the application should be submitted not to the local district office, as was the case with domestic licenses, but to the General Inspectorate of Road Transport.
Revocation of a domestic road transport license – when is it possible?
Obtaining a license for domestic and international road transport can seem somewhat complicated. We’re here to help. When applying for such a license, however, it’s important to be aware that in certain situations, a license for domestic and international road transport may be revoked. When will this happen? License revocation becomes effective if the holder fails to fulfill the terms of the contract, unlawfully transfers the license to a third party, or falls behind on customs or tax obligations. Receiving a final judgment prohibiting the performance of the activities covered by the license is another reason for revocation.
How long does it take to receive a decision on issuing a license for domestic or international road transport?
The waiting time for a decision on issuing a license may vary depending on the location and method of application, as well as individual circumstances. Typically, the process takes from several weeks to 45 business days. It’s worth contacting the relevant office or institution for detailed information on waiting times in a given location.
Assistance in obtaining a transport license for your company to transport passengers or goods
Based on our knowledge and experience, BOS offers professional and comprehensive assistance in completing all formalities related to obtaining and renewing licenses for domestic and international transport for your company. Over 3,000 Polish and foreign entrepreneurs have already used our services.
We guarantee quick processing, as we are located in the same building as the General Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD) / Office for International Transport.
1) Our service related to obtaining/renewing a domestic road transport license includes the flawless completion of all documents required for obtaining a license, submitting a license application, monitoring the entire process, and collecting and shipping the license to you. Regarding the processing time for an international transport license, the approximate time is 15-30 business days and may vary depending on the period in which the application is submitted. We can complete all formalities electronically and by post, without your needing to come to Warsaw. If you are interested, please contact us.
If necessary, we also have contacts for individuals with certificates of professional competence.
2) If you are interested in a policy that complies with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009, please contact us at tel. 508 920 606, 517 104 565, or email: kredytowa@mbos.cc. Download the form from our website and email it to us. We will prepare a preliminary policy agreement. We also offer free delivery of the policy to the International Transport Office without your presence.
Offer for obtaining/renewing an International License for companies with a term of up to 5 or 10 years:
- PLN 500 (net) – assistance in obtaining an international license for companies – rate for up to 3 vehicles (price to be agreed upon above)
- PLN 600 (net) – assistance in renewing an international license for companies – rate for up to 3 vehicles (price to be agreed upon above)
- PLN 300 (net) – assistance in obtaining a permit to practice as a carrier (national transport license), necessary to obtain an international license for companies without a national license
Offer for renewing International License extracts for companies with a 15-, 20-, 30-, and 50-year license
- PLN 600 (net) – assistance with renewing extracts – rate for up to 3 vehicles (price to be agreed upon above)
Offer for business license insurance in the form of an insurance policy in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009
- PLN 230 / vehicle – basic policy for 1 vehicle – EUR 9,000
- PLN 210 / vehicle – 2 to 5 vehicles
- PLN 190 / vehicle – 6 to 10 vehicles
- Rates negotiable for over 10 vehicles
- If we receive a better offer, we are always willing to present a lower offer from the competition – CALL, COMPARE, AND CHECK!
Other services related to GITD / BdsTM:
- Obtaining additional license extracts
- Replacement of rolling stock, change of registration numbers, change of vehicle ownership
- Transformation
- Issuing a duplicate/copy of a license
- Changing the name/address on a license
- Changing the manager
- Issuing “S” Certificates
- Issuing Driver Certificates
- Issuing work permits for foreigners (Masovian Voivodeship Office)
A transport license is an essential document for businesses conducting transport activities. Obtaining one requires meeting a number of requirements, and failure to obtain one can result in serious penalties. Both domestic and international transport require appropriate permits, so it’s worth thoroughly familiarizing yourself with the licensing procedure and applicable regulations.
Contact details for licenses for road transport of goods or persons for companies:
e-mail: licencjetransportowe@mbos.cc
Office:
+48 502 440 004
+48 502 350 502
+48 509 943 420
+48 515 253 642 – Driver’s certificates