Full details on eligibility criteria and how to apply

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, and Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, today announced further details of the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) as the application portal opens.

The Scheme is administered by the Department of Transport, and the application form is available on the Department’s website. Applications can be submitted until midday Friday 12 June 2026.

Minister O’Brien said:
“The application portal for the Road Transporters Support Scheme is now available on the Department of Transport’s website. I am pleased to have been able to put the application process in place quickly as I am acutely aware of the need to get this support out to the sector without any undue delays.
“The application process is very straightforward and all the information the transport operators need to complete their applications is available on the website. I urge the sector to start submitting their applications as soon as possible.”

Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said:
“The opening of the RTSS application portal is the culmination of months of engagement and collaboration with the haulage and coach sector. The last few weeks have been particularly challenging for the sector, and the Scheme will provide much needed support to those that need it most.
“This reflects the commitment of myself, Minister O'Brien and Minister of State Buttimer to provide support to the sector.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, said:
“This scheme is a vital step in supporting the operators who keep Ireland connected, particularly in our rural and regional communities. Hauliers and passenger transport providers are the backbone of regional connectivity, ensuring that goods reach every corner of the country and that people can access work, education and services.”

Application process
The Scheme opened for applications at 12 noon on Wednesday 20 May, and will remain open until 12 noon on Friday 12 June 2026.
Full eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and information on State Aid rules are available on the application portal.
It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that they provide all the required information to process their application. Applicants must consent to the Department of Transport processing their personal data for the purposes of administering the Scheme. Failure to do so will result in applicants being excluded from the Scheme.
Separate applications from the same person or business, or separate applications in respect of the same vehicles, may result in all such applications being rejected.
It is important to note that the Department will not contact eligible applicants directly, you should only apply for the Scheme through the portal on the Department’s website.

Eligibility criteria
All eligibility criteria must be met on 01 March 2026.
Payments will be made based on the number of qualifying vehicles owned by eligible operators. Qualifying operators are:

1. Holders of a road haulage operator licence issued by the Department of Transport. 
2. Operators who are not normally required to hold a road haulage operator licence, but who’s normal commercial activity relates to the carriage of goods by road. 
3. Holders of a passenger operator licence issued by the Department of Transport. 

 
Road passenger operator’s licenced by the Department of Transport may be eligible for support by way of the RTSS if they have vehicles in their fleet that are not used to provide TFI Local Link or school transport services. They should apply for those vehicles through the online application process.
Road passenger operators that provide TFI Local Link or school transport services will receive support through their contractual arrangements. They do not need to make an application for the vehicles used to provide such services through the RTSS application process.
Applicants must be registered for tax in the State, have valid tax clearance, and be able to demonstrate that their business is an ongoing concern. Applicants will be asked to make several declarations and provide supporting documents as part of the application process. 
The Department of Transport will verify the information provided by applicants with data held by the Department within the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), the Road Transport Operator Licensing system, and with other government departments and agencies as part of the administration of the Scheme.

Vehicle eligibility criteria
All vehicle eligibility criteria must be met on 01 March 2026.
Some hauliers lease, rather than own, the vehicles in their fleet. These vehicles can be included on an application where they meet the vehicle eligibility criteria outlined below. Applicants must provide a copy of the lease agreement, that clearly identifies the registration number of each leased vehicle for which they seek support, as part of the application process.
Payments will be made to qualifying applicants in respect of the following vehicles in their fleet:

1. The vehicle must be registered on the Department of Transport’s National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database. 
2. The vehicle must be properly taxed, including the payment of any arrears.
3. The vehicle must have a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) certificate if it is more than 12-months old. 
4. The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
5. The vehicle is used by the applicant in the course of their normal business activity.

 
Payment bands
The following payment bands apply to the Scheme:

 
Exclusions
The following sectors and/or vehicle types are not included in the Scheme. Applications made in respect of the following will be rejected.

• Battery electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and vehicles fuelled using CNG, methane, bio-methane, hydrogen or other non-fossil fuel.
• Vehicles fuelled using marked gas oil (green diesel).
• Quarry vehicles, plant and machinery used on construction sites and non-mobile machinery, off-road vehicles.
• Vehicles operated under contract with the National Transport Authority to provide State subvented Public Service Obligation Services.
• Vehicles operated under contract with the Department of Education and Youth to provide school transport services.
• Vehicles owned or hired without a driver by the public sector (including the armed services, civil defence, national ambulance service, fire services and forces responsible for maintaining public order).
• Vehicles owned by state entities (Government departments, local authorities, agencies whether commercial or non-commercial, and semi-states).
• Vehicles, including vehicles used in the non-commercial transport of humanitarian aid, used in emergencies or rescue operations.
• Specialised breakdown vehicles operating within a 100 km radius of their base.
• Refuse collection vehicles.
• Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, and new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service.
• Vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes used for a non-commercial purpose.
• Motorhomes and campervans regardless of use (commercial or non-commercial).