Road freight transport – what does it involve?
For business
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5 March 2026
Over 80% of goods in Poland reach their recipients via lorries, vans and delivery vehicles. Road transport combines flexibility with a reach that no other branch of logistics can match – from parcels posted via a Parcel Kiosk to full semi-trailers travelling across Europe. At the same time, it is an industry subject to dozens of regulations, from licences to emission standards. Discover the key principles, types of transport and factors affecting road transport costs.
What is road transport?
Road transport refers to the movement of people or goods along land routes using wheeled vehicles . It is a key sector of land transport, accounting for the largest share of freight transport in Poland and the European Union. Its main advantage is door-to-door delivery – goods are transported directly from the sender’s warehouse to the recipient without any transhipment.
The primary piece of legislation governing this activity in Poland is the Road Transport Act of 6 September 2001. It sets out the rules for undertaking and carrying out domestic and international road transport, as well as the conditions for entering the profession of road transport operator.
What are the different types of road transport?
Road transport is primarily categorised according to geographical scope. Domestic road transport covers transport services provided exclusively within Poland, whereas international road transport applies to routes that cross national borders. Within this classification, a distinction is made between the carriage of persons (passenger transport) and the carriage of goods (freight transport).
Key modes of freight transport :
- Full truckload (FTL) - A single shipper rents the entire cargo space of the vehicle. The goods are transported directly to the recipient.
- Less-than-truckload (LTL) transport - Shipments from multiple senders consolidated into a single vehicle. Lower cost, but longer delivery times.
- Specialist transport - includes temperature-controlled transport (refrigerated vehicles) and the transport of dangerous goods (ADR), which requires specialist equipment and additional documentation.
- Cabotage transport - transport services provided by a foreign carrier within another EU country, limited to three journeys within a seven-day period.
It is worth distinguishing transport from road haulage - A freight forwarder organises the transport but does not carry it out themselves. Intermodal transport, which combines road, rail and sea transport, is a separate category.
| Criterion | FTL (full truckload) | LTL (less than truckload) |
| Cargo space | A whole vehicle for a single consignor | Shared by multiple broadcasters |
| Delivery time | Shorter (direct route) | Longer (transhipments, consolidation) |
| Cost | Higher overall, lower per kg for heavy loads | The lower of the two, the charge for the space occupied |
| Risk of damage | Lower (no transhipments) | Higher (multiple transhipments) |
| Application | Large consignments, sensitive cargo | Smaller parcels, SMEs, e-commerce |
What types of vehicles are used in road transport?
Road transport vehicles are divided into motorised and non-motorised categories. The first group includes lorries, vans (with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes) and tractor units, which tow semi-trailers carrying cargo. The non-motorised group includes semi-trailers and trailers for various purposes.
Specialist bodywork includes, amongst others, refrigerated lorries (for transporting food and pharmaceuticals), tankers (for transporting liquids and chemicals), tippers (for construction materials) and car transporters.
Buses and coaches are used for passenger transport. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common in the urban delivery sector – we use such delivery vans in our fleet in selected cities, for example. Please note that their share of long-distance transport remains small due to their limited range.
What permits and licences must a road haulier hold?
A road haulage operator is a business authorised to carry out transport activities on the basis of the relevant licences. To obtain a licence to operate, four conditions must be met: possession of operational facilities, financial standing, good repute, and the appointment of a person responsible for transport management.
The person managing transport must hold a certificate of professional competence confirming their knowledge of law, finance and logistics. For international transport, a Community licence is required, which costs around PLN 4,000 for five years. Supervision of carriers is carried out by The Chief Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD), which oversees, amongst other things, drivers' working hours and the technical condition of the vehicles.
What documents are required when transporting goods?
The CMR consignment note is the key document in international transport. An increasing number of companies are switching to e-CMR (electronic consignment note), and full implementation of this solution across the EU is scheduled for 2027. Make sure that the carrier also has a driver’s certificate, customs documentation (for shipments outside the EU) and OCP insurance.
What factors influence road transport costs?
Several key factors influence the cost of road transport. Fuel costs account for the largest share, making up as much as 30–40% of total operating costs and being subject to market price fluctuations. Driver wages are a significant item, rising due to staff shortages in the industry. Added to this are road tolls (the e-TOLL system in Poland, maut in Germany) and the costs of insurance and vehicle depreciation.
Indicative rates for 2026 are PLN 4.5–6 per km for delivery vans and up to PLN 8 per km for specialist transport (e.g. refrigerated vehicles). A carrier’s profitability is also affected by empty runs – driving without a load on the return journey, which generates costs without generating revenue. Bear in mind that from 2028, the ETS2 (European Emissions Trading System) will cover road transport, which will further increase the cost of fossil fuels.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of road transport?
Road transport is characterised above all by its flexibility and accessibility, but it also has significant limitations.
The advantages and disadvantages of road transport :
- Door-to-door delivery - The goods are transported directly from the sender to the recipient, without being transferred to other modes of transport.
- Route flexibility - A car can reach places that a train or a ship cannot.
- Speed over short distances - For journeys of up to 500 km, road transport is usually the quickest option.
- Extensive road network - The network of motorways and national roads provides access to almost every part of the country.
- The option to post a parcel without leaving home - With the Parcel Manager service, you can book an InPost courier in just a few minutes.
High CO2 emissions are most commonly cited as a drawback. Road transport accounts for around 72% of the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the entire transport sector in the EU. Dependence on road infrastructure is also a significant constraint – traffic jams, roadworks and weather conditions prolong delivery times. Regulations governing drivers' working hours limit daily driving time to 9 hours, which affects route planning.
What challenges and new regulations lie ahead for the transport sector?
The Mobility Package has introduced significant changes to the rules governing the posting of drivers and their working hours. Drivers must return to their home base or place of residence every four weeks, and their pay for working in another EU country must meet the minimum wage rates applicable there. The transport sector is grappling with a chronic shortage of drivers and decarbonisation, which is forcing a gradual transition to alternative powertrains.
Find out how these changes will affect your business – preparing for the new regulations now will help you avoid costly surprises.
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