Learn more about the prerequisites for granting a goods transport licence
The licence is granted either to a natural person who operates as a private trader (sole trader) or a legal person, such as a limited company or limited partnership.
Apply for a goods transport licence, which allows you to transport goods professionally with a vehicle and combination with a total mass exceeding 3,500 kg. You can also apply for a light goods transport licence if you transport goods professionally in international road traffic with a motor vehicle or vehicle combination with a total mass that exceeds 2,500 kg but not 3,500 kg.
On 25 June 2024, there have been changes in the legislation regarding the operation of goods transport:
The European Union’s sanctions package against Russia and Belarus prohibits companies established in the EU that are 25% or more under Russian or Belarus ownership from becoming road transport companies. This means that Traficom will not grant a goods transport licence to an operator whose share of Russian or Belarus owners exceeds the threshold set in the sanctions regulation.
From 26 July 2024, the ban will also apply to all transport companies with the said (Russian) ownership structure and from 2 August 2024 to all transport companies with the said (Belarus) ownership structure that were established in the EU after 8 April 2022. These companies will no longer be allowed to transport goods within the EU or in transit through EU countries.
The ban does not apply to road transport companies established in the EU at least 25% owned by Russian or Belarus nationals who are also nationals of a Member State or hold a temporary or permanent residence permit in a Member State.
On request, the transport company must provide proof of its ownership structure.
The amendment of the sanctions regulation (EU) N:o 833/2014 was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 24 June 2024 and it has entered into force on 25 June 2024. The amendment of the sanctions regulation (EG) N:o 765/2006 was published in the Official Journal of the EU and it has entered into force on 30 June 2024.
The European Union’s sanctions package against Russia and Belarus prohibits companies established in the EU that are 25% or more under Russian or Belarus ownership from becoming road transport companies. This means that Traficom will not grant a goods transport licence to an operator whose share of Russian or Belarus owners exceeds the threshold set in the sanctions regulation.
Do the Following:
Apply for a goods transport licence
You can apply for a goods transport licence online in My e-Services under the section road traffic transport licences. If you want to apply for a light goods transport licence, you need to use a printable form (See the alternative service channel).
Watch the instructional video: Applying for a licence as a natural (External link) (External link) / legal person (External link)
In matters related to transport operations, a natural person selects ‘Personal services’, while a legal person should choose ‘Acting on behalf of a company/an organisation’. This means that a natural person as an applicant or a licence holder always acts as an individual, not as a representative of their company operating under a business name. Only a person with the right to represent the transport company either with an authorisation or without a separate authorisation based on their role recorded in the Finnish Trade Register may act on behalf of a company in the service.
As a rule, the application must be accompanied by a report on the applicant’s financial standing.
A copy of a certificate demonstrating the professional competence of the applicant or transport manager usually needs to be submitted only if the applicant or transport manager has not had any previous responsibilities as a licence holder or transport manager related to goods transport licences, and if the individual’s professional competence has been obtained before 1 September 2006..
The application fee of EUR 290 is paid in the service. The payment will not be returned even if the permit is denied or the application is cancelled.
You will receive the licence by post
You will receive the licence decision and its attachments by post within approximately 3 weeks of submitting the application. Requests for information and clarifications concerning the application affect the total processing time.