The freight transport license has become an essential topic for any entrepreneur who wants to legally enter the road transport industry in Romania. Whether you're talking about a single light commercial vehicle or an entire fleet of trucks, transport for hire or reward cannot be carried out without the documents issued by the Romanian Road Authority (ARR).
You need a freight transport license if you carry goods by road for hire or reward (for third parties) using vehicles or vehicle combinations with a maximum authorized weight exceeding 2.5 tons. In addition, each vehicle in the fleet requires its own certified true copy of the license.
In this general guide, we explain who needs a license, what conditions must be met under Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009, which documents are required, how much it costs, and how you can check a transport license in the official ARR register.
What is a freight transport license?
The freight transport license is the official document, issued by the Romanian Road Authority, that certifies a company's right to carry goods by road for hire or reward. For international transport and for vehicles over 3.5 tons, it is called a Community license and is recognized in all European Union member states.
If you're just getting started, first read our guide on how to set up a freight transport company: the Community license comes after company registration, choosing the CAEN code (Romanian business activity code), and proving financial standing.
The license is granted to the business (the company), not to the vehicle. Each motor vehicle actually used for transport requires a certified true copy of the license, which is kept on board the vehicle and presented during roadside inspections.
The difference between the Community license and the certified true copy
- The Community license – is the main document, issued in the company's name, valid for 10 years.
- The certified true copy – is issued for each vehicle individually, is valid for 1 year (without exceeding the license's validity) and must be kept in the vehicle at all times.
Who needs a freight transport license?
A freight transport license is required for any business that carries goods by road for hire or reward, in domestic or international traffic, using vehicles with a maximum authorized weight exceeding 2.5 tons. This requirement was extended from 3.5 tons to 2.5 tons for international traffic under the Mobility Package, applicable since May 21, 2022.
The obligation to hold a freight transport license and certified true copy therefore covers:
- Vehicles over 3.5 tons (trucks, tractor units, semi-trailer combinations) – Community license, in both domestic and international traffic.
- Vehicles weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tons (vans) – in international traffic and for cabotage, since May 21, 2022.
Transport for hire or reward vs. own-account transport
The key distinction is who benefits from the transport. Transport for hire or reward (for third parties) means moving someone else's goods in exchange for payment – this requires a license. Own-account transport means the company carries its own goods, as an ancillary activity, using its own vehicles and employed staff; under certain conditions set by law, it may be exempt.
When you DO NOT need a freight transport license
The legislation provides for a number of exemptions. Transport operations that do not require a freight transport license include:
- transport of goods using vehicles with a maximum authorized weight not exceeding 2.5 tons;
- non-commercial transport of broken-down or damaged vehicles;
- postal transport carried out as part of a universal service;
- transport of medicines, medical devices, and equipment needed in emergencies (natural disasters);
- funeral transport and trips with historic vehicles;
- transport carried out with vehicles whose maximum authorized speed does not exceed 40 km/h;
- transport for personal purposes, carried out by individuals using their own vehicles.
The 4 conditions for access to the occupation of transport operator
To obtain a freight transport license, the business must meet the four conditions for access to the occupation of road transport operator, set out in Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 and transposed into national law by O.G. no. 27/2011:
1. A real and stable establishment
The company must have a real and stable establishment in Romania, where it carries out its administrative and operational activities and where it keeps the company's records (accounting, personnel, driving and rest times, etc.).
2. Good repute
Both the business and the designated transport manager must be of good repute, meaning they must not have been convicted of a criminal offense or penalized for serious breaches of national or EU rules in force. Good repute is proven by a criminal record certificate and sworn statements.
3. Financial standing
The company must demonstrate that, each year, it has sufficient capital and reserves, calculated based on the number and type of vehicles used. Financial standing can be proven through capital and reserves, a bank guarantee, or professional liability insurance. The thresholds in euros are as follows:
| Vehicle category | First vehicle | Each additional vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles with a maximum authorized weight over 3.5 tons | 9,000 EUR | 5,000 EUR |
| Vehicles exclusively between 2.5 and 3.5 tons | 1,800 EUR | 900 EUR |
The equivalent in lei is set annually, based on the exchange rate on the first business day of October, published in the Official Journal of the European Union. For the exact lei amounts applicable in the current year, check the information published by ARR.
4. Professional competence (the transport manager)
The company must appoint an individual as transport manager, holding a certificate of professional competence (CPI) valid for freight transport. The transport manager effectively and continuously manages the company's transport operations. Without a certified transport manager, the license cannot be obtained.
What documents are required for a freight transport license?
The application file is submitted to the ARR regional agency in the county where the company has its registered office. The usual documents are:
- the original application (standard ARR form);
- the company's registration certificate and articles of incorporation;
- the certificate of good standing from the trade registry (no older than 30 days);
- a document proving the real and stable establishment (deed of ownership, lease, or loan-for-use agreement);
- the ID cards of the company administrator and the transport manager;
- the transport manager's certificate of professional competence;
- the transport manager's employment or service contract (if they are not an administrator/shareholder);
- the criminal record certificates of the transport manager and the company, plus the sworn statements on good repute;
- documents proving financial standing (latest balance sheet, bank guarantee, or insurance);
- the vehicle identity cards and registration certificates;
- proof of payment of the ARR fees.
Once the license has been obtained, applications for new certified true copies can also be submitted by registered mail with return receipt or online, with an electronic signature, on the ARR website.
How much does a freight transport license cost?
Fees are set by the Romanian Road Authority and paid into the ARR account. According to the fees in force since December 30, 2025 (OMTI no. 2.274/2025), the main costs are:
- Issuance of the Community license (valid for 10 years) – 1,000 lei;
- Issuance of the certified true copy (valid for 1 year, per vehicle) – 360 lei/year.
On top of these fees, there may be costs for proving financial standing (bank guarantee or insurance), for criminal record certificates and, if you use a consulting firm, its fee. Always check the updated fee schedule on the official website, as the amounts may be changed by ministerial order.
How to check a transport license
A transport license can be checked free of charge, online, on the official ARR portal – licente.arr.ro – which provides public access to data from the National Electronic Register of Road Transport Operators. Here you can check whether a company holds a valid Community license and whether a vehicle has a valid certified true copy.
At European level, transport operator data is interconnected through the ERRU (European Registers of Road Transport Undertakings) system, which allows authorities in member states to exchange information on operators' licenses, penalties, and good repute. Checking a partner before entrusting them with your goods is a recommended practice, especially when working through a freight exchange.
Special case: 2.5–3.5-ton vehicles
Extending the licensing requirement to vehicles weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tons in international traffic was one of the most significant changes introduced by the Mobility Package. Many companies operating vans had to obtain a license and certified true copies to continue running international routes legally.
If you operate in this segment, we've prepared a dedicated guide for this specific case: How to get a 3.5-ton transport license. There you'll find the conditions, documents, and financial thresholds specific to this category, step by step.
In addition to the license, hauliers must comply with other legal obligations, such as reporting in the e-Transportsystem, GPS fleet monitoring, and recording driving and rest times.
Obtaining a freight transport license is the first step toward a legal and competitive transport business. If you need support with GPS fleet monitoring or digital solutions that help you meet your legal obligations, contact the CargoTrack team.
Frequently asked questions about the freight transport license
Who needs a freight transport license?
A license is required for any business that carries goods by road for hire or reward using vehicles with a maximum authorized weight exceeding 2.5 tons, in domestic or international traffic.
What are the 4 conditions for access to the occupation of transport operator?
A real and stable establishment, good repute, adequate financial standing, and professional competence, proven through a transport manager holding a valid certificate of professional competence.
How much does a freight transport license cost?
According to the ARR fees in force since December 30, 2025, issuing the Community license (valid for 10 years) costs 1,000 lei, and the certified true copy (valid for 1 year, per vehicle) costs 360 lei/year. On top of this come the costs of financial standing, criminal record certificates, and any consulting services.
What is a certified true copy?
The certified true copy is the document issued for each vehicle in the fleet, which must be kept on board. It is valid for 1 year and is presented during roadside inspections. The license is granted to the company, and the certified true copy to the vehicle.
How long is a transport license valid?
The Community freight transport license is valid for 10 years, and the certified true copy for 1 year (without exceeding the license's validity).
How do I check a transport license?
You can check the status of a license and its certified true copies free of charge on the official ARR portal, licente.arr.ro, which provides public access to the National Electronic Register of Road Transport Operators.
Which 2.5–3.5-ton vehicles need a freight transport license?
Since May 21, 2022, vehicles with a maximum authorized weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tons need a license and certified true copy for transport for hire or reward in international traffic and for cabotage operations, under the Mobility Package.
Who issues the freight transport license in Romania?
The license is issued by the Romanian Road Authority (ARR). The application file is submitted to the ARR regional agency in the county where the company has its registered office.
