How to set up your own transport company? Instructions for use

The goal of a transportation company is to provide logistics services to its customers, which involve moving goods or people from point A to point B.

The transportation sector offers numerous opportunities, driven by the growing volume and global reach of cargo flows worldwide. It is essential to provide new solutions that enable faster, error-free delivery.

That is why many entrepreneurs decide to start their own business in this sector.

Since starting your own business isn’t always smooth sailing, let’s explore together all the essential steps you need to take to make it a success!

Explanations.

Step #1: Obtain a commercial driver's license

Operating a transportation business requires a mandatory official authorization known as a “transportation license.” This license is obtained by completing a 140-hour training course followed by anexam. It imposes no restrictions on the choice of vehicle.

You must have a financial capacity of €1,500 per vehicle and hire drivers who hold only a Class B license. It is issued by the DREAL.

For private hire drivers, there is a specific professional license. It can be obtained after passing an exam and is issued by the prefecture in your department.

Step #2: Deposit the capital stock into an escrow account

This step applies only if you are starting a business. In that case, you must make your cash contributions with a traditional or online bank. They will be held in escrow until you receive your Kbis certificate.

If there are contributions in kind, you will need to value them.

If the amount of any single contribution exceeds €30,000, and if the total value of the assets does not exceed half the value of the share capital, the appointment of a contribution auditor is mandatory. In this case, a copy of the auditor’s report must be provided.

If you set up an EIRL, you are required to file a statement of assets listing all the property you are making available to your business.

Step #3: Draft your company's articles of incorporation

Every company must have articles of incorporation, but this is not the case for a sole proprietorship. The articles of incorporation must include all the mandatory information required by law, as well as any other information necessary for the company to operate properly.

This is a document of the utmost importance, and part of it is open to interpretation, depending on the decisions made by the partners.

You can draft your articles of incorporation on your own or with the help of a professional.

We recommend the second option, as the existence of a loophole could have significant consequences in the event of a dispute.

The process for drafting articles of incorporation depends on your legal status. Most often, founders of transportation companies choose a SAS, a SASU, an SARL or an EURL.

Step #4: Submit your complete application to the DREAL

The DREAL (Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning, and Housing) is the agency responsible for issuing the certification required to obtain official authorization to practice your profession.

Your complete application must include the following:

• The CERFA 14557*01 business formation form
• A certificate of good conduct
• Proof of financial capacity
• The stamp of an accountant, a certified public accountant, or an accredited management center

Step #5: Register your company

The final step is to obtain official registration for your company. To do so, contact the commercial court registry with jurisdiction.

First, you are required to publish a legal notice in an approved newspaperin order to legally publicize your business.

Next, go to your CFE (Business Registration Center) to submit your complete application. It must include the following items:

• The corresponding CERFA form, completed and signed in triplicate
• An original, dated, and signed copy of the company's articles of incorporation
• Proof of occupancy of the premises or your certificate of residence
• A certificate of publicationof the notice of incorporation in the official gazette
• A copy of the appointment decision for the company’s chief executive officer, unless the position is already specified in the articles of incorporation
• A copy of the executive's identification document
• A sworn statement of no criminal convictions and a certificate of parentage
• Payment of court fees for registration procedures

If your application is approved, you will then receive your Kbis certificate, along with your SIREN and SIRET numbers.

Your business will then be officially established, and you can begin operating.

Finally, there’s one detail that’s all too often overlooked when it comes to building trust with your prospects and optimizing your business launch: listing a prestigious business address. To achieve this, there’s nothing better than a virtual office service! This allows you to:

• Enjoy a prestigious address located in the best neighborhoods of Paris or other major French cities.
• Reduce your day-to-day workload by benefiting from a telephone secretarial service, daily mail management, administrative and legal assistance, meeting room hire, etc.
• Reduce your tax burden by strategically choosing a municipality with a low CFE (Business Property Tax) rate.

With SeDomicilier, you can obtain your certificate of domiciliation in less than 5 minutes, in a 100% online process. What's more, all your services are then available in a personalized, secure virtual office!