I do not know how it works in other countries, but if you want to set up a transportation company in Poland, you must obtain the appropriate licenses. Their absence may result in a fine of 8.000 PLN. Such license is granted for a fixed period, not less than 2 years and not more than 50 years.
And now a quote tranlated from a Polish site:
To obtain a license, at least one person (if several), or an entrepreneur who applies for a license, must have a certificate of competence. Obtaining a certificate of professional competence requires a demonstration of knowledge or a practice necessary to carry out business in the field of road transportation. Persons who may confirm at least 5 years of experience as an entrepreneur conducting business activity in the field of road transport or management company which performed such activities, receive a certificate of professional competence after a positive test result confirming the expertise of professional skills.
To carry out international road transport is also required demonstrating a knowledge of the issues in the context of the existing international agreements and transport regulations, customs regulations and the terms and documents required for international road transport. Checking the necessary knowledge is made by a written exam passed before an examination board.
In addition, it must be demonstrated that the current financial situation allows you to take up business in the field of road transport. This means that the entrepreneur must demonstrate possession of funds or assets for covering expenses in the amount of:
- 9.000 euro - on the first car designed for road transport
- 5.000 euro - for each subsequent motor vehicle
- 50.000 euro - protection when making road transport in terms of placement of things, so-called forwarding.
So as you can see setting such company isn't easy in Poland, especially for foreigner. The Assembly of money and appropriate documents is the most important, crucial thing here. The grant, refusal, modification or revocation of the license shall be effected by an administrative decision. Since the submission of all required documents the license should be issued within 30 days.
Buying an used van may be problematic, because the secondary market is heavily screened and now is hard to find a reasonably priced vehicle in good condition, with analog or digital tachograph. It should not be any problem with financing of equipment - leasing companies still do it willingly. Deciding on the leasing of vehicles, however, you must carefully recalculate new business revenue opportunities. Each stoppage generates a loss, while regardless of it, the leasing company will still require regular repayments.
