In this article, we will consider whether a license is required for the transportation of goods by road.
What types of cargo transportation require a license
Not all deliveries in Ukraine require a license for domestic cargo transportation – a significant part of ordinary transportation is carried out without a special permit. Especially when it comes to transporting own cargo for the company’s own needs.
However, licensing is mandatory in the following cases:
- international transportation of goods by trucks – regardless of the weight of the cargo and the type of goods;
- domestic and international transportation of dangerous goods and hazardous waste – a license is always required here, even if the transportation is carried out within the same city;
- individual cases of commercial transportation of goods by trucks with a gross weight of more than 3.5 tons, when the activity has economic characteristics (i.e. transportation is carried out for third parties for a fee).
License for international cargo transportation: basic requirements
A separate list of requirements for the carrier, transport and personnel is established for a license for international cargo transportation.
The main requirements for obtaining a license for international cargo transportation:
- status of a business entity;
- own or rented freight vehicle;
- drivers of the appropriate category (C, C1, CE, C1E);
- a specialist responsible for the organization and safety of transportation;
- an appropriate material and technical base.
Licensing conditions are periodically updated by resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers, therefore previously issued licenses may require re-issuance within the deadlines specified by law. This should be checked immediately before submitting documents, as the norms change.
License for the transportation of dangerous goods: what you need to know
Transportation of dangerous goods is a separate category that is regulated more strictly than ordinary freight transportation. Therefore, a license is required here regardless of whether it is domestic or international transportation.
Key points of the license for the transportation of goods:
- all dangerous goods are divided into 9 hazard classes – from explosives and flammable liquids to toxic and radioactive materials; each class has its own requirements for packaging, labeling and transportation conditions;
- at the domestic level, transportation is regulated by the procedure approved by the Ministry of Transport, and at the international level, by the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), which Ukraine joined in 2000;
- there is no separate “special ADR license” as an independent document — ADR requirements are taken into account within the framework of the general license for the transportation of dangerous goods and waste;
- drivers transporting dangerous goods must have a valid ADR driver’s license, and the vehicle must meet the requirements for equipment and marking.
The most common violations when transporting dangerous goods abroad are incorrect marking of the transport and packaging, an expired driver’s license, and the vehicle’s non-compliance with inspection requirements. Each of them can be grounds for detention at the border or during a roadside inspection.
How to get a license for cargo transportation
The general algorithm for obtaining a license for cargo transportation looks like this:
- determine the type of license that is needed specifically for a specific activity;
- prepare a package of documents – information about transport, personnel, material and technical base;
- obtain an electronic digital signature – access to the “Shlyakh” system is provided precisely through EDS;
- submit an application and documents in electronic form through the Ukrtransbezpeka information system;
- wait for the application to be considered by the licensing authority and the decision to issue or refuse a license;
- enter data about drivers and transport into the system in the process of further activity – this is a mandatory requirement for licensees.
For international passenger transportation (but not always for cargo), confirmed work experience in the domestic market is additionally taken into account.
What documents are required for registration
A typical package of documents for a license for cargo transportation includes:
- application for a license in the established form;
- information about own, rented or leased vehicles;
- color photocopies of vehicle registration certificates;
- information on the material and technical base – own or based on agreements with other business entities, together with certified copies of these agreements;
- information on personnel, in particular, a specialist responsible for safety (for international transportation);
- data on drivers, including confirmation of qualifications and, for dangerous goods, – valid ADR certificates.
The exact list depends on the type of license for freight transportation.
How much does it cost to obtain a license
The cost of obtaining a license consists of two parts:
- the official fee for issuing a license, the amount of which is established by law and is relatively small compared to other costs of the process;
- associated costs – bringing the vehicle into compliance with the requirements, obtaining an electronic signature, if necessary – payment for the services of lawyers or consulting companies that accompany submission of documents.
It is better to clarify the exact amount immediately before submission, since the amount of fees and the cost of related services may change.
Common mistakes when applying for a license
Practice shows that carriers most often encounter the following problems:
- going on international routes without a full package of documents;
- confusion between types of licenses;
- unrenewed wartime licenses;
- expired ADR driver’s licenses or lack of necessary equipment and markings on transport for dangerous goods;
- failure to comply with the period of stay of drivers abroad during international transportation;
- incomplete information about the material and technical base or vehicles, which leads to a refusal to consider the application at the submission stage.
Most of these mistakes can be easily avoided if you check the current licensing conditions in advance and prepare documents with a margin of time before the planned start of transportation.
Conclusion
The process of obtaining a license involves preparing a package of documents, confirming that the transport and personnel meet the established requirements, and submitting an application.
Since licensing conditions are periodically updated, before submitting documents, it is worth checking the current version of the regulations or contacting specialists who support licensing on an ongoing basis.
FAQ
1. Do I need a license for freight transportation in Ukraine?
For regular cargo by own transport – usually no. For the transportation of dangerous goods and waste – yes, a license is required even within Ukraine.
2. How to obtain a license for international cargo transportation?
You need to issue an EDS, collect a package of documents and submit an application through the “Shlyakh” system to Ukrtransbezpeka, and then wait for the decision of the licensing authority.
3. What documents are required to obtain a license for the transportation of goods?
Application in the prescribed form, information about vehicles and their registration, data on the material and technical base, information about drivers and the specialist responsible for safety.
4. How much does a license for international cargo transportation cost?
The official fee for issuing a license is small, but there are additional costs for the electronic signature, bringing the vehicle into compliance with the requirements, and, if necessary, legal support – it is better to clarify the exact amount before submitting.
