Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an individual or company that acts as an agent or representative is exempt from the obligation of having a road haulage licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33776/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In general, a Road Haulage Operator's Licence is required if a firm is itself actually carrying goods for hire or reward in large heavy goods vehicles belonging to that firm.

If an Individual or company is acting as an agent or representative, but are not themselves in the business of carrying goods for hire or reward in their own vehicles, then they are not obliged to have a licence. There are many such companies, usually known as freight forwarders, and they do not require a haulage licence for that work.

It is, however, illegal under the Road Transport Acts for any person to engage or use the services of a haulier unless that haulier has a road transport operator's licence. Freight forwarders are therefore obliged to only use properly licensed haulage operators, where the work requires that.