The district office in the regional capital grants road transport operator authorisation for ten years if the undertaking proves four requirements under Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009: an effective and stable establishment in Slovakia, good repute of statutory representatives and the transport manager, financial standing comprising equity of at least EUR 9,000 for the first vehicle and EUR 5,000 for each additional vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, and the appointed transport manager's professional competence verified by examination. Transport to other EU countries additionally requires a Community licence and evidence of it in every vehicle.
Road haulage using vehicles over 3.5 tonnes is a regulated occupation. Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 sets the requirements directly; Act No. 56/2012 Coll. on Road Transport specifies who assesses them and how they are proved. The authority examines whether you can document the four requirements, rather than whether you know how to carry goods.
Who needs authorisation and who issues it
Unless otherwise provided below, an undertaking […] may engage in the occupation of domestic transport operator […] on the basis of authorisation granted under this Act and a separate regulation; authorisation is granted for ten years. […] A road transport operator holding a Community licence under separate regulations may operate international transport in Member States.
— Section 5(1) and (2) of Act No. 56/2012 Coll. (unofficial English translation)
Exceptions apply to undertakings using vehicles up to 2.5 tonnes (Section 5(3)(a)) and certain domestic transport operations, including vehicles up to 3,500 kg (Section 5(4)). The district office in the regional capital responsible for the applicant’s registered office grants authorisation and issues the Community licence (Section 42(a) and (b), Section 51). It also establishes examination panels (Section 42(h)). The application contains particulars of the applicant, transport manager, establishment and parking location, good repute, financial standing, professional competence and transport type, with supporting documents attached (Section 52(1) and (3)).
The four requirements under the Regulation
Under Article 3(1), the undertaking must have an effective and stable establishment in a Member State, be of good repute, demonstrate financial standing and possess the required professional competence. Establishment means premises in Slovakia holding original authorisations, carriage contracts and vehicle and driver documents, together with an operational base and fleet (Section 6(2), Section 7(n)). Good repute of the undertaking, statutory representatives and transport manager is proved by a criminal record extract no more than three months old. It may also be lost through a penalty for a serious transport administrative offence (Section 6(3) and (4)). Statutory representatives and transport managers must be at least 21 (Section 6(1)).
Financial standing is demonstrated for each vehicle (Section 6(5)), in the amounts under Article 7(1): equity shown in verified annual accounts of at least EUR 9,000 for the first vehicle and EUR 5,000 for each additional vehicle or combination over 3.5 tonnes, and EUR 900 for an additional vehicle between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes. An undertaking operating exclusively such light vehicles demonstrates EUR 1,800 and EUR 900 respectively. Under Article 7(2), the authority may also accept a bank guarantee or insurance. An undertaking less than 15 months old may demonstrate financial standing through its incorporation deed or opening balance sheet (Section 6(5)). The requirement must be met continuously (Section 7(q)).
Professional competence rests with the transport manager, who effectively and continuously manages transport activities (Article 4(1), Section 6(11)). It is demonstrated by an examination before the district office’s panel or an existing certificate (Section 6(6)). The examination has written and oral parts, with an exemption for those whose education covers its subjects (Section 6(7) and (8)). An external transport manager may manage no more than four undertakings with a combined maximum of 50 vehicles (Section 6(12)). Lending a certificate without actually managing operations is grounds for a fine (Section 48(1)(b)).
A Community licence for international transport
Transport to other Member States requires a Community licence under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No. 1072/2009 (Section 5(2), Section 55), evidence of it in every vehicle (Section 7(d)) and liability insurance for damage to goods in international transport (Section 7(j)). Mobility Package I, Regulation (EU) 2020/1055, extended the regime to light commercial vehicles from 2022:
A road transport operator carrying out international transport using motor vehicles or combinations whose maximum permissible laden mass exceeds 2.5 tonnes but does not exceed 3.5 tonnes must hold road transport operator authorisation and a Community licence.
— Section 55a(3) of Act No. 56/2012 Coll. (unofficial English translation)
Vans used in international transport additionally require a tachograph from 1 July 2026. We explain this in tachographs in vans over 2.5 tonnes.
After authorisation: what the authority checks
The transport manager, a change of manager or statutory representative, and changes to particulars in the register of operators must be notified within 15 days (Section 7(h)). Vehicles must return to the Member State of establishment at least every eight weeks (Section 7(l)). Operating without authorisation or a licence, without a transport manager or without financial standing carries a fine of EUR 100 to EUR 15,000; a repeat breach within two years carries EUR 5,000 to EUR 50,000 and a ban on activities (Section 48(1), (5) and (6)).
How we can help
We assess the four requirements, arrange the transport manager and financial standing to suit your fleet, prepare the application and supporting documents, and handle the proceedings through our road transport licensing service. Our external legal department can monitor change notifications. Claims under carriage contracts become time-barred particularly quickly, as explained in limitation of freight claims, and our freight debt recovery service assists with unpaid invoices.
This answer provides general information on the law as at 5 September 2026. It does not constitute legal services or replace an assessment of an individual case. The details of your situation may differ. Book a consultation to discuss them.
