National and International Road Haulage Organisation

Background
Dutch trucks with a payload of more than 3,500 kg carrying out commercial transports must be in the possession of a license issued under the Road Transport Act Goods.

For transports to countries that are not members of the European Union an additional license (bilateral, transit, third country or universal) is required. For transports to and from the EU Member States a Euro License alone is sufficient. However, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, Sweden and Finland require an additional (third country) license or a CEMT-license is required for third country transports to non-EU countries.

Road haulers from third countries should be in the possession of a Dutch license when operating on the Netherlands.

Types of licenses
The National and International Road Haulage Association (NIWO) in the Netherlands is responsible for the issuance and distribution of licenses. The following types of licenses do exist:

• Bilateral transport license: valid for transports between the Netherlands and another country;
• Transit license: valid for transports through the territory of another country;
• Third country license: valid for transports between a country other than the Netherlands and another third country
• Universal license: valid for bilateral, transit and third country transports.

Exchange of licenses Netherlands -> other countries
During the last quarter of the year NIWO distributes the Dutch licenses for foreign road transport carriers. Since 1 January 2007, the NIWO delivered the Dutch licenses to the embassies in The Hague. These embassies sign for receipt. Furthermore, NIWO informs embassies based in Brussels that the licenses, destined for their country, have been sent to them. These embassies make arrangements for the transfer of the Dutch licenses to their relevant authorities. These embassies have been informed on this procedure by diplomatic note in December 2006 (and so far this system seems to work).

Actions
• NIWO delivers the Dutch licenses at various embassies in The Hague and informs the other embassies in Brussels that they have sent the licenses;
• These embassies are entrusted to forward the Dutch licenses to their relevant authorities;

Exchange licenses other countries - -> Netherlands

Annually the embassies of the Netherlands receive licenses for the Netherlands from the local authorities. These licenses should be sent directly to the Netherlands to the attention of the NIWO.

Actions

• Prior to the annual exchange of licenses, the head of expedition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives a list of countries and the number of licenses expected for the coming year.
• The Netherlands embassy receives the licenses destined for the Netherlands
• These licenses are being sent  directly to the Netherlands. The packages must be addressed as follows:
  
  NIWO
  Attn Ms. A. Dekker
  Veraartlaan 10
  2288 GM RIJSWIJK

• The Netherlands embassies are requested to indicate on the outside of the parcels the number and country of the licenses. This will facilitate the handling of the licenses. Furthermore, the embassy is requested to inform the ministry and NIWO by email when the licenses have been sent and by which courier service.
• If licenses have not been received in time NIWO will contact the ministry to report that licenses are still missing. The ministry will follow this up with the embassies involved.

Contacts
mr R.A. Scherpenisse LL.M.

T: +31.6.514.34.608

mr J.W.M. van Gellekom BSc.

T: +31.6.31.78.55.80

email: InternationalAffairs@niwo.nl