What are community licences for goods vehicle and coach transport?

Anyone who intends to carry out transport of goods and/or passengers by motor vehicle for hire or reward must have an operator’s licence.

  • The licence is linked to the company's organisation number. It cannot be lent or transferred to others. 
  • The company must apply for an operator’s licence and meet the criteria regarding establishment, conduct history, financial standing and professional competence. 
  • For transport requiring an operator’s licence, a valid licence document must be carried in the vehicle.  

Community licence for goods 

A Community licence for goods transport entitles the company to transport goods for hire or reward. 

  • A licence is required for the transport of goods for hire or reward by motor vehicles of more than 3,500 kg in Norway and the EU/EEA. 
  • For goods transport by motor vehicles between 2,500 kg and 3,500 kg, a licence is only required for international transport.
  • Light goods vehicles that transport goods for hire or reward within Norway and have a maximum authorised mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes must have a national operator’s licence as from 1 January 2026. 
  • The rules governing whether licence holders can use a Community licence for goods transports of more than 3,500 kg to transport between 2,500 kg and 3,500 kg vary from one member state to another. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) therefore recommends that licence holders use a Community licence for goods transports between 2,500 kg and 3,500 kg for such transports. If licence holders want more specific information, they should address the licensing authority in the country in which they operate. 

Read more information about national operator's licences for light goods vehicles

Community licence for passenger transport by coach  

A community licence for passenger transport by coach entitles the company to operate occasional (non-regular) passenger transport for hire or reward when the transport is carried out by a car, minibus or coach registered with more than nine seats. 

Read more information about applying for an operator’s licence on this page

Can an operator’s licence be revoked? 

If the company no longer meets the conditions for holding operator’s licences, the NPRA may revoke the licence(s). This means that the company loses its entitlement to hold an operator’s licence and its entitlement to carry out transport services for hire or reward. 

Company inspections 

The NPRA checks whether commercial transport companies comply with the conditions that apply to the operation of commercial transport services at all times, in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EC) 1071/2009 (eurlex.eu). When the NPRA prioritises which checks to carry out, reports received about sanctioned violations are among the factors we are to take into account. 

Permits