Apply for this licence
Your vehicles must be inspected and approved by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) if you transport livestock or horses on long journeys.
Conditions
If you transport livestock or horses on journeys longer than 8 hours, your vehicles must be:
- designed and constructed to avoid injury and suffering to animals
- strong enough to withstand animal movement stresses
- secure enough to prevent animals from escaping
- accessible for the inspection and treatment of animals
- large enough to provide ventilation and protection from weather
- appropriately sized for the length of your journey
- contactable at all times - your driver must always have a working mobile phone
Your vehicles must also have navigation and tracking systems to record:
- journey details
- information about opening and closing your vehicle’s loading flap
Contact DARD for specific guidance about the vehicles and animals you’ll be transporting.
Displaying your licence
DARD will tell you how to display your licence.
Fines and penalties
You can be imprisoned for up to 6 months and fined £5,000 for transporting livestock or horses on long journeys in unapproved vehicles.