Three situations in which the transport manager suddenly becomes the biggest problem
Professional competence is one of four licence requirements, alongside establishment, good repute and financial standing. It is the only one tied to a person. And people resign, fall ill or want more money.
You have vehicles, orders and drivers, but nobody with the professional competence certificate. Without a designated transport manager the authority will not accept the application. An external transport manager closes the gap until you or an employee pass the exam yourselves.
Resignation, illness, retirement, a falling-out. The authority sets a deadline for the replacement, and it runs from the day of departure. Miss it and you lose the licence, and with it the right to operate at all.
An acquaintance holds the certificate and lends his name. That comes out at the next inspection at the latest: the transport manager must effectively and continuously manage the operations. Otherwise good repute is lost and the licence can be withdrawn.
What a transport manager actually has to do
The regulation requires the transport manager to manage the undertaking's transport activities. In practice that means:
- Organise and monitor vehicle maintenance
- Check transport contracts and documents
- Take responsibility for basic dispatching and route planning
- Monitor driving and rest times, have driver cards evaluated
- Keep load securing and safety rules in view
- Keep driver qualifications, licence checks and Code 95 in view
- Act as contact for the licensing authority
What we place, and what we do not
We do not act as transport managers ourselves. We know people with the certificate, spare capacity and transport experience, and we know which one fits which business.
How the placement works
From the first call to the designation with the authority. You decide at every step whether to continue.
Price
One flat fee, one amount, no small print. Net plus statutory VAT.
No contract, no cost.
| What is included | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial call and needs assessment | included |
| Proposal of a verified transport manager | included |
| Contract template and checklist for the authority | included |
| Ongoing remuneration of the transport manager (monthly flat rate, agreed directly) | separate |
The monthly remuneration depends on fleet size, type of transport and the presence you want on site. You negotiate it directly with the transport manager; we give you a realistic range beforehand.
You hold the certificate and have spare capacity?
Then we are looking for you. Haulage companies in the Rhineland and beyond need transport managers who take the job seriously. We propose businesses that match your capacity, and you conclude the contract directly with the company. Joining our network is free for you.
Register as a transport manager →Frequently asked questions about the transport manager
Who needs a transport manager at all?
Every undertaking holding or applying for a licence for commercial road haulage under § 3 GüKG or an EU Community licence. That covers vehicles above 3.5 t permissible gross weight, and since May 2022 vehicles above 2.5 t in cross-border transport. The transport manager provides the undertaking's proof of professional competence.
Can I be the transport manager myself?
Yes, if you have passed the professional competence exam at the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) or hold an equivalent qualification. Many owners take the exam later; an external transport manager bridges the time until then.
What is the difference between an internal and an external transport manager?
The internal transport manager is the owner, managing director or an employee. The external transport manager is bound by contract and may manage at most four undertakings with a combined fleet of no more than 50 vehicles. He or she must have a genuine link to the undertaking and actually manage its transport activities.
What does the placement cost?
A one-off €500 net, due only once the contract between you and the transport manager is signed. If no contract is concluded, you pay nothing. The manager's ongoing remuneration is agreed directly with him or her and is not part of our fee.
Is it enough if the transport manager only exists on paper?
No. The transport manager must effectively and continuously manage the transport activities. A manager in name only who never sees the business endangers the undertaking's good repute and thus its licence. We deliberately place only transport managers who are on site regularly.
How quickly do I need a replacement when my manager leaves?
The authority may grant up to six months to recruit a replacement, slightly longer in exceptional cases such as death or illness. The period runs from the departure. Contact us as soon as the departure is foreseeable.
Do you also handle the application and contact with the authority?
You file the application yourself; we give you the checklist of documents the licensing authority wants to see. We do not provide legal advice on GüKG or the regulation. If you also need drivers or want to hand over your payroll, our services fit together.
New application or departure: where do you stand?
Describe your situation. You will receive a proposal that fits your business within one week.