The Department of Transport has confirmed that the online application process for the Road Transporters Support Scheme is now live at www.gov.ie/transport.
How to apply?
You must apply using the online application form, which is available on the Department’s website.
Will the scheme be back dated?
Yes, payments will be backdated to 1st March 2026.
Who is eligible?
The Scheme is open to both licensed road haulage operators and the own account sector, in respect of certain heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kg in laden weight) where the vehicle is used in the haulage business (the carriage of goods by road).
As payments will be backdated to 1st March 2026, all applicants must meet the following conditions as of that date:
• be the holder of a road haulage operator licence issued by the Department of Transport; or
• where the applicant is not normally required to hold a road haulage operator licence, an operator whose normal commercial activity relates to the carriage of goods by road; or
• be the holder of a passenger operator licence issued by the Department of Transport.
In all cases, payments will only be made to operators where the vehicle for which they seek support is registered on the Department of Transport’s National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database, with motor tax paid and with a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) certificate.
Coach operators may also be eligible for support under the RTSS for vehicles used to provide commercial services provided they have not received support through any contractual arrangements they may have for providing TII Local Link or school transport services.
All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the applicant has met all the eligibility criteria. Further information will be published on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/transport) in the coming days.
What time period will the scheme cover?
Payments will be made for March and April 2026. An additional payment will be made for May if the average diesel price exceeds €1.90 per litre as measured by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
