How long is a German Community licence valid?

It is granted for up to ten years (Section 3(2) GüKG) and is renewable (Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009). The date on your licence is what counts.

Do I need it for journeys only within Germany?

Yes. Hauliers based in Germany need a Community licence for commercial road haulage (Section 3(1) GüKG). An earlier permit under Section 3 as in force until 26 February 2026 remains valid until it expires (Section 24).

Does it apply to vans up to 3.5 tonnes?

Within Germany the rules do not apply to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes permissible total weight including trailers, unless EU law provides otherwise (Section 2(1) no. 10 GüKG). For international transport, only vehicles up to 2.5 tonnes have been licence-exempt since 21 May 2022 (Article 1(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/1055).

How many certified copies do I get?

As many as you have vehicles at your disposal and sufficient financial standing for (Section 3(3) GüKG).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Renew the Community licence and certified copies in good time

A haulier established in Germany needs a Community licence for commercial road haulage; it is issued for up to ten years and is renewable (Section 3 GüKG; Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009). A certified copy must be carried on every journey (Section 7); operating without one is an offence.

Any haulier based in Germany that carries out commercial road haulage needs a Community licence issued by a German authority (Section 3(1) of the Road Haulage Act, GüKG). It is granted for up to ten years if the haulier meets the requirements for the occupation of road transport operator in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 (Section 3(2)). Under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 the licence is issued for a renewable period of up to ten years. The competent authorities under state law at the place of establishment are responsible (Section 3(8) GüKG).

On application the authority issues as many certified copies as the haulier has vehicles at its disposal and sufficient financial standing for. If fewer vehicles are available for more than three months, the surplus copies must be returned without delay (Section 3(3)). A certified copy must be carried throughout every journey that requires authorisation, and it may not be laminated (Section 7(1) and (4)).

Own-account transport meeting the conditions of Section 1(2) GüKG does not need a Community licence. The rules also do not apply to vehicles with a permissible total weight, including trailers, of no more than 3.5 tonnes, unless EU law provides otherwise (Section 2(1) no. 10). For international transport, only vehicles up to 2.5 tonnes have been exempt since 21 May 2022 (Article 1(5)(ca) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/1055). An earlier permit under Section 3 GüKG as in force on 26 February 2026 remains valid until it expires; an unlimited one until the end of 27 February 2036 (Section 24).

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At a glance

Who needs it	Hauliers based in Germany carrying out commercial road haulage (Section 3(1) GüKG)
Validity	Up to ten years (Section 3(2)); renewable (Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009)
Certified copies	One per available vehicle; return surplus copies without delay after more than three months (Section 3(3))
On board	Certified copy throughout the journey, not laminated (Section 7(1) and (4))
Authority	Competent state authority at the place of establishment (Section 3(8))
Old permit	Valid until it expires; unlimited permits until 27 February 2036 (Section 24)

Who is responsible?

The haulier applies for the licence and certified copies and ensures a copy is carried during the journey (Section 3(3), Section 7(1) GüKG); the driver carries it and shows it to inspectors on request (Section 7(4)). If certain company details, an authorised representative or the competent local court change after issue, the haulier notifies the authority without delay (Section 2 GüKGrKabotageV). If it ceases business permanently, it returns the licence and all copies without delay (Section 3(3) GüKG).

If the deadline passes

Carrying out commercial road haulage intentionally or negligently without a Community licence under Section 3(1) is an administrative offence (Section 19(1) no. 1b GüKG). The licence must be revoked if facts arise afterwards that would have required refusal (Section 3(4)).

Prepare documents early

For the application the authority requires, among other things, a register extract, proof of authority to represent, documents on financial standing, and a certificate of good conduct and an extract from the central trade register for the authorised representative and the transport managers. The certificate of good conduct and the trade register extract may be no more than three months old when the application is filed (Section 10(2) GBZugV, which applies accordingly to the Community licence under Section 1(1) GüKGrKabotageV).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Enter the Community licence with the expiry date shown on the document; you can assign the certified copies to individual vehicles.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself. Add an earlier date as a separate entry for preparing the application.
Assign a responsible person, such as management or the transport manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language.
If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a German Community licence valid?: It is granted for up to ten years (Section 3(2) GüKG) and is renewable (Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009). The date on your licence is what counts.
Do I need it for journeys only within Germany?: Yes. Hauliers based in Germany need a Community licence for commercial road haulage (Section 3(1) GüKG). An earlier permit under Section 3 as in force until 26 February 2026 remains valid until it expires (Section 24).
Does it apply to vans up to 3.5 tonnes?: Within Germany the rules do not apply to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes permissible total weight including trailers, unless EU law provides otherwise (Section 2(1) no. 10 GüKG). For international transport, only vehicles up to 2.5 tonnes have been licence-exempt since 21 May 2022 (Article 1(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/1055).
How many certified copies do I get?: As many as you have vehicles at your disposal and sufficient financial standing for (Section 3(3) GüKG).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for EU Community licence (road haulage) (Germany)

A ready template for EU Community licence (road haulage) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each EU Community licence (road haulage) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each EU Community licence (road haulage) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.