Irish Road Haulage, Transport & Commercial Vehicle News

Ireland’s Leading News & Information Hub for the Road Haulage Industry

Author: John Loughran

Women’s Association of Trucking UK & Ireland Announces Official Launch with Firewalk in Coventry

A new association dedicated to connecting, supporting and championing women across the road transport industry in the UK and Ireland will officially launch with a firewalk event in Coventry on Friday 27 November 2026. The Women’s Association of Trucking UK & Ireland (WATUKI) has been founded by Claire McKinlay and...

EU adopts new truck toll rules allowing discounts of up to 75%

Irish hauliers operating across Europe could benefit from reduced motorway charges under newly adopted EU legislation, but the savings will depend on national decisions and the emissions performance of individual trucks. The European Union has formally adopted new road charging rules that could allow transport operators to benefit from discounts...

Ready to buy an electric truck—but can your depot get the power?

Irish hauliers considering electric trucks need to assess their depot’s electricity supply alongside vehicle range, payload and purchase price. A truck may suit the work, but the investment depends on being able to charge it reliably before its next departure. The issue is gaining attention in Brussels. In an announcement...

Will Irish hauliers benefit from extended EU fuel-crisis support?

With Brussels under pressure to extend emergency fuel assistance until the end of 2027, questions are growing over whether Ireland will take full advantage of EU rules allowing governments to compensate hauliers for up to 70% of additional fuel costs. The European Union could extend its emergency fuel-crisis support framework...

RTSS appeals deadline approaching as operators urged to submit evidence

Irish haulage and passenger transport operators seeking to appeal a Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) decision have until 12 noon on Wednesday, 4 November 2026 to submit their case. The appeals process is open to operators whose original RTSS application was refused or who did not receive support for one...

IRU seeks extended fuel-crisis support and 30-day payment terms for hauliers

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has called for extended EU fuel-crisis support and enforceable 30-day payment terms, warning that rising diesel costs and overdue invoices are weakening transport operators’ finances. In an appeal to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, IRU is seeking a one-year extension of the...

Europe has tight diesel supplies—but no physical shortage

European diesel supplies remain tight, but there is currently no physical shortage of the fuel, according to the European Commission. The distinction will offer some reassurance over availability, but it provides little comfort to Irish hauliers paying more than €2 per litre and attempting to price transport contracts in an...

Cost barrier threatens Europe’s transition to greener road freight – IRU survey

Seven in ten European road transport operators say their customers are unwilling to pay more for greener freight services, raising serious questions about how the industry can finance its transition to low-emission transport. A new survey from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and Trimble reveals that rising vehicle costs...

Tyre pressure monitoring: The hidden fuel-saving opportunity for HGV and trailer operators

With diesel costs continuing to put pressure on haulage margins, maintaining correct tyre pressures across trucks and trailers could be one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways for operators to reduce fuel consumption, extend tyre life and improve vehicle safety. For Irish hauliers, fuel remains one of the biggest...

RTSS appeals portal opens with 4 November deadline

Hauliers whose Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) applications were refused, or who did not receive support for all vehicles included in their applications, can now lodge an appeal through the scheme’s online portal. The Department of Transport has confirmed that the deadline for appeals is noon on Wednesday, 4 November...

IRHA urges hauliers to act on small defects before trucks go off the road

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has urged hauliers to prioritise regular preventative maintenance checks, warning that minor defects can develop into breakdowns and unplanned vehicle downtime if left unresolved. In a LinkedIn post, the association highlighted the importance of recognising early warning signs and arranging maintenance before a problem...

ECTA calls for charging and funding support to accelerate zero-emission trucking

Irish hauliers weighing up investment in zero-emission trucks need greater certainty on charging, operating costs and financial support, according to the priorities outlined in a new European Clean Trucking Alliance (ECTA) policy paper. The paper, Our Road to Zero-Emission Trucks, sets out the alliance’s blueprint for accelerating the transition to...

Italian truckers’ protests disrupt freight and food deliveries

Irish hauliers collecting or delivering goods in Italy should check access to loading points and confirm delivery arrangements as protests over diesel costs continue to disrupt freight movements and food distribution. Reports from Italy on Wednesday, 21 October, indicate an uneven picture, with some blockades being removed while protests and...

ADR 2027: what’s coming for Irish dangerous-goods hauliers

Irish dangerous-goods hauliers should begin reviewing their operations ahead of ADR 2027, with the next edition of the international road transport rules scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has directed operators to UNECE’s consolidated draft amendments, document ECE/TRANS/WP.15/274. For transport managers, the...

RTSS appeals: Four questions Irish hauliers need answered

Irish hauliers refused support under the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) need clarity on when they can appeal, what evidence they must provide and how quickly a successful challenge will lead to payment. The Department of Transport has confirmed that a separate appeals process will cover operators refused support for...