Carrying out international orders without obtaining a Community licence may result in serious consequences. Administrative proceedings initiated in such a situation are threatened with a fine of up to PLN 12,000 for the driver and the carrier. For example, if a transport company which carries out transport up to 3.5 t has 100 drivers and 50 of them are checked only once during a three-month period, the carrier which has neglected the regulations may receive a fine of even PLN 600 000, and this will seriously affect its business.
At the moment of control of a vehicle that carries out international transport without a valid Community Licence, the vehicle is detained for the duration of the proceedings. This entails not only delays or additional costs for both the client and the carrier, but above all the lack of insurance of goods in the event of any damage to the client (e.g. stoppage of a production line, which entails huge costs). In such a case, the insurer has the right not to pay the compensation, which entails serious losses for both the client and the carrier.
All companies that authorise transport are of course subject to good repute checks. The mere fact of not providing a driver with an extract from the licence may result in a very serious infringement being imposed on the company. Three such situations in one year may result in the initiation of proceedings by the relevant services for loss of good repute and, consequently, the loss of authorisation to pursue the occupation of road transport operator.
With the coming into force of another very restrictive Mobility Package regulation, from 21 May 2022, the shortage of hauliers on the international market will have serious consequences such as even more delays in deliveries or their complete postponement. This poses a threat to businesses that import or export their products. It will certainly slow down many production plants, resulting in shortages of many products such as car parts, electronics, household appliances and many basic necessities. These shortages will particularly affect countries which have been using Polish hauliers intensively for years, such as Germany, France and the UK. The effects of the changes will be experienced by consumers for many months.
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International carriage of goods or cabotage without a valid Community licence has until now been the norm for companies offering transport up to 3.5t dmc. From 21 May 2022, this state of affairs will change dramatically - a consequence of the entry into force of the next stage of the Mobility Package. According to the European regulations, after 20 May, the requirement to have a transport licence will apply to all hauliers who carry out transport with vehicles whose maximum permissible weight exceeds 2.5 tonnes.
Carrying out business activity connected with transport requires having appropriate administrative decisions. The Community licence is a document authorising an entrepreneur to carry out transport activities in the territory of the European Union. Every entrepreneur who wants to carry out international transport for profit must have such a document. The licence applies to company owners who have a permit to pursue the occupation of road transport operator.
