What is an ECMT (CEMT) permit?

What does an ECMT permit provide?

CEMT is the French abbreviation of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (EKMT in Turkish, ECMT in English); in 2007 the body became the International Transport Forum (ITF). In Türkiye, the permit is known as the “UBAK permit”, a name derived from the conference's Turkish title. The ITF's multilateral quota system makes commercial goods transport between participating countries possible with a single permit.

Normally, a Turkish-registered truck needs third-country permits from both countries to carry cargo from Hungary to Austria. An ECMT permit removes this requirement and makes it easier to find return loads. This is why it is valuable for fleets operating between several countries in Europe.

To whom and how is it distributed in Türkiye?

Türkiye's quota is distributed by the General Directorate for Regulation of Transport Services (Ulaştırma Hizmetleri Düzenleme Genel Müdürlüğü) in accordance with the “Directive on the Principles for Distribution of UBAK Permits” (UBAK İzin Belgesi Dağıtım Esasları Yönergesi). Applications are made on e-Devlet (the e-Government portal) through the “UBAK Permit Distribution Application” screen in the “Border Procedures” section of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's services. According to the General Directorate's announcement of 30 September 2026, the application period for 2027 permits is 1–31 October 2026.

1. The company must hold an international carrier authorisation certificate and update its e-Devlet contact details.
2. Before applying, a “Vehicle Euro Norm Notification” (Taşıt Euro Norm Bildirimi) is made for the vehicles; a vehicle whose emission class has not been notified is not assessed.
3. The application is saved, and the company receives confirmation by SMS.
4. Distribution applies the criteria in the directive. In practice, utilisation efficiency in the previous period, fleet structure and the UBAK penalty points are decisive.

What are the emission and vehicle requirements?

The ITF quota is linked to emission class, and older standards have been phased out of the system over the years. In the current period, the quota is allocated mainly to Euro VI vehicles. The permit is used together with ITF certificates of compliance showing the vehicle's emission and safety requirements. Some member countries recognise the quota only on a restricted basis; the countries where it is not valid are marked on the permit.

Which rules apply when using it?

• The permit is issued to the company but may be used in only one vehicle at a time and must be carried in that vehicle throughout the trip.
• Every trip is entered in the logbook issued with the permit. In Türkiye, the trip details in the logbook are reported to the Ministry through the “UBAK Summary Notification” (UBAK İcmal Bildirimi).
• Under ITF rules, a vehicle may make at most three consecutive laden trips between member countries outside its country of registration; it must then return to its country of registration.
• The permit does not grant the right to cabotage transport in member countries.
• A lost permit, one not returned on time or one used improperly results in penalty points and affects the following year's distribution.

Common mistakes

• Filling in the logbook in one go after the trip has finished. At a roadside check, a blank line may be treated as transport without a permit.
• Entering a country where the ECMT permit is not valid with this permit. A separate bilateral transit pass is required for that country.
• Mistaking the ECMT permit for a customs document. The permit governs the right to carry; on the customs side, a TIR carnet or T1 and a CMR consignment note are required separately.

On a multi-country European tour, the cost of international road transport is determined by which leg is run under ECMT and which under a bilateral permit.

Published: 13.11.2026 · Voltim Global