Do You Need a Certificate to Transport Animals in the EU?
Under EU Regulation 1/2005, drivers who transport animals over 65 km for economic activity need a certificate of competence, valid for life.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Yes. Under Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, any driver transporting bovine, ovine, caprine, or porcine animals, poultry, or domestic equines more than 65 km for an economic activity needs a certificate of competence, earned via a theory test for journeys up to eight hours or a practical assessment for longer journeys, and valid for life.
What is a certificate of competence under EU animal transport rules?
The certificate of competence is a personal qualification issued to drivers and attendants who handle livestock, poultry, or domestic equines on the road. It is set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 , Article 17(2), which governs the protection of animals during transport across all EU member states. The requirement is triggered by two conditions together: the journey must exceed 65 km, and the transport must serve an economic activity, meaning it is connected to a trade, business, or commercial operation rather than a private, non-commercial move. Once triggered, the certificate applies regardless of which member state issues it, so a driver qualified in one country can operate under that certificate anywhere in the EU. This sits alongside other specialised driver qualifications in road freight, such as the ADR certificate required for transporting dangerous goods across Europe , and carriers building out a compliant livestock or poultry operation typically manage both credentials within the same driver-compliance file.
How do you get a certificate of competence to transport animals?
Drivers apply through their national competent authority, which administers the assessment and issues the certificate once passed. The route depends on journey length. For journeys up to eight hours, a theory test covering animal welfare, handling, and transport conditions is sufficient. For journeys beyond eight hours, drivers must pass the theory test plus a practical assessment demonstrating hands-on handling competence. According to European Commission DG SANTE guidance on animal welfare during transport, the certificate does not expire and does not need periodic renewal once issued. Carriers evaluating whether to build a livestock or equine transport arm often assess this alongside standard driver hiring through their carrier operations , since the certificate becomes a baseline qualification for any driver assigned to that freight segment.
Journey-length requirements at a glance
| Journey type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Up to 65 km (non-commercial or short local moves) | Certificate not required |
| 65 km to 8 hours, economic activity | Certificate of competence via theory test |
| Over 8 hours, economic activity | Certificate of competence via theory test plus practical assessment |
| Any journey, vehicle used | Separate vehicle approval/authorisation also required, distinct from the driver's personal certificate |
The certificate covers the person, not the vehicle. A separate authorisation applies to the vehicle itself for any journey carrying these animal categories, independent of distance. A European Parliament Research Service briefing on animal welfare during transport notes that the European Commission proposed a revision of Regulation 1/2005 in 2023, as part of a wider animal-welfare-in-transit package, and that proposal remains under co-legislator negotiation as of 2026. The 65 km and 8-hour thresholds described above have not changed and remain the current, applicable regime, but carriers should watch for a revised regulation in the coming legislative cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Is the animal transport certificate of competence recognised in every EU member state?
Yes. Because the requirement stems from an EU regulation rather than national law, a certificate issued by any member state's competent authority is valid for the driver across the whole EU, not just the issuing country.
Do farmers need a certificate of competence to transport their own animals?
Only if the transport counts as an economic activity and exceeds 65 km. Short, non-commercial moves of a farmer's own animals, such as between adjacent fields, generally fall outside the certificate requirement, but any transport connected to sale, slaughter, or trade over that distance triggers it.
What is the difference between a transporter authorisation and a driver's certificate of competence?
The certificate of competence is a personal qualification held by the individual driver or attendant. Transporter authorisation and vehicle approval are separate, held by the operating business and the specific vehicle respectively, and both are required in addition to the driver's certificate.
Does the certificate of competence expire or need renewing?
No. Once issued, the certificate of competence is valid for life, with no periodic renewal or retesting requirement under the current regulation.
Carriers building out a compliant livestock, poultry, or equine transport operation can browse open driving roles via Logifie's careers page to find qualified, certified drivers.
