Opening a Transportation Company in Ireland

Transport legislation in Ireland

The transportation sector represents an important economic activity in Ireland, being the primary means through which the economy develops in this country. One of the main rules of law addressed to the Irish transportation sector is the Public Transport Regulations Act, enacted in 2009 by the National Transport Authority of Ireland.

The new legislation requires all Irish companies to obtain a license if they are providing transportation services. The same legislation applies to both public and private companies in Ireland. Licensing requirements differ for companies providing services under a Public Service Contract. Our team of consultants in company registration in Ireland can provide assistance on the obligations of all transportation businesses operating here. 

Transport license applications in Ireland

All Irish companies providing transportation services are required to apply for a license before starting operating. The only exceptions from these regulations are applicable in the case of the following types of businesses: companies providing services for the carriage of children to and from school, companies providing international services and which are authorized under the EU legislation and Irish private companies in Ireland hired by a group for a certain fee.

• • details about the nature of the service provided by the Irish transportation company;
• • an estimation concerning the capacity of vehicles (the number of persons a vehicle can carry);
• • the fare to be imposed for a specific transportation service of the company;
• • an electronic timetable for the services provided and an Ordinance Survey Ireland map establishing each station.

What are the requirements to register a transportation company in Ireland?

The first step to start a transportation company is to register the company with the Irish Trade Register and select the right NACE codes from the Nomenclature of Economic Activities. For those providing transportation services the NACE codes are found under Section I Transport, storage and communication.

The following codes apply for this sector: 60 for land transport, 60.1 for transport via railways, 60.2 for other land transport, 60.21 for scheduled passenger land transport, 60.22 for taxi operations, 60.24 for freight transport by road, 63.11 for cargo handling, 63.21 for other support land transport activities and 63.30 for activities involving travel agencies and tour operators.

What are the main trends of the Irish transportation sector? 

• • most of the Irish citizens commute to work by using cars, this being applicable to approximately 65,6% of all the persons using transportation in this country (in 2016);
• • a share of 9,3% walk to work, while the bicycle is used in Ireland by 3% of the Irish commuters;
• • the main public transportation means used by Irish persons are the bus and train;
• • in 2017, there were registered 254,400 flights at the country’s main airports;
• • the number of passengers in the aviation industry increased by 5% in 2017, reaching 34,5 million;
• • in 2017, Ireland had a total of 5,333 kilometers of national roads;
• • the maritime sector also expanded in 2017, accounting for 2,8 million passengers (increase of 2%).

For a complete list of all the available NACE codes please contact our specialists in company registration in Ireland. Our consultants can assist throughout the entire incorporation procedure available for an Irish transportation company and can also provide advice on the taxation and accounting requirements imposed to a local business.