The Department of Transport issue and maintain operator licenses.

Road Haulage Operator’s Licence

You need a Road Haulage Operator’s Licence if you are carrying goods for hire or reward in a vehicle or combination of vehicles the maximum authorised weight of which is in excess of 3.5 (metric) tonnes.

"Hire or Reward" haulage arises when you are paid for carrying someone else's goods. If you do only own account work, i.e. carriage of your own goods in your own vehicles driven by yourself or your employees, or in the delivery of goods to a customer who has bought those goods from you, then you do not need a Road Haulage Operator’s Licence.

Road Passenger Transport Operator Licence 

You need a Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licence if you are carrying passengers by road for hire or reward in vehicles constructed and equipped so as to be suitable for carrying nine or more passengers.

"Hire or Reward" arises when you are paid for carrying passengers. If carrying passengers is not your main business, and if you are not charging your passengers a fee, then you do not need a Licence.

For example, a hotel that owns a bus that it uses to ferry its guests, as a complimentary service, to and from an airport or tourist attractions, would not need a Licence.

Further information

 If you have any queries in relation to completing your application for a:

• Road Haulage Operator’s Licence
• Road Passenger Transport Operator’s Licence

Please contact:

Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit
Department of Transport
Clonfert House
Bride Street
Loughrea
Co Galway

Telephone Lo-call: 1890 44 33 11
Fax: 091-872999

Email: rtol@transport.ie
Website: www.transport.ie