Consumer Advice

How to find a legal road pet transport company?

Considering engaging a pet courier to drive your pet by road?...make these important checks first:

If your transporter is not already PETRA Welfare-approved and does not hold an approval number verified by us...

1. Full trading name of the transport company

2. Full address of the transport company

3. Full DEFRA license certificate

            Every transport company operating above a range of  65km must hold either a Type 1             license, which is required for all transports within the UK up to 8 hours or a Type 2             license, which is needed for all transports above 8 hours.

4. Full EU Type license certificate

            The same as above just in respect of the EU country where the EU license is issued.

        

            Both licenses must be in the same name of the trading name of the company.

            Make a copy using your mobile phone and contact the issuing authority. Check the             name it was issued to and that it is within its expiry date.

            For Type-2 holders, additionally ask to see the vehicle's individual inspection             certificate. Again, contact the issuing authority. Be sure to check the number             plate and the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is clearly shown and that both             numbers match whatever vehicle shows up.

            Do not accept the movement of your pet in any other vehicle than the one you have             checked.

     

           A transport company offering your pets transport must hold a DEFRA license and an EU             license.

5. Ask for the Make & Model of the vehicle and check the gross weight.

            A company operating a vehicle above 2.5t up to 3.5t gross weight requires a Goods             Vehicle Standard International either issued by the UK´s Office of the Traffic             Commissioner or equally of a Government body within the EU.

            This license is not transferable and is clearly related to the transport company only.