Road Transport Operator Division

Road Transport and Freight Policy Division (incorporating the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit) is responsible for licensing, regulation and policy in the commercial road transport sector in Ireland. The commercial road transport sector operates for hire or reward and includes both road haulage and road passenger transport operators.

Under EU and Irish law, all such operators need a Road Transport Operator Licence and possibly other documentation depending on the work involved (for example: Community Licence, ECMT Licence, Conformity of Production Document, Driver Attestation) in order to operate in compliance with the law. Road Transport and Freight Policy Division is responsible for issuing all such licences and documents and authorise any changes to them, for example, the addition, substitution or removal of vehicles on operator licences.

The Division monitors licence holders throughout the currency of their licence to ensure continued compliance with licensing requirements and may suspend or withdraw licences in cases of non-compliance. The Division also has responsibility for driving time, rest time and tachograph policy issues and regulations. In relation to the enforcement of road transport legislation, Road Transport and Freight Policy Division liaises with the competent authorities, which are the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.

Road Transport and Freight Policy Division interacts with the relevant EU authorities on legislative proposals, requirements and developments in the road transport sector and also liaises with other international transport organisations on a range of road transport issues.