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SOE's specialist sector for road transport engineers
Our Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) professional sector supports HGV and PSV professionals throughout their careers, and encourages high standards in maintenance of sectors crucial to employment and public safety.
Members who pick IRTE as their professional sector will benefit from monthly copies of Transport Engineer, the leading source of technical excellence for vehicle engineers. The IRTE Professional Sector Council (PSC), who are all elected by members, work tirelessly to represent the voice of members, improve engineering standards and ensure that we issue relevant guidance on new legislation and best practice.
The IRTE PSC is currently working on the following initiatives:
- Trialling, with DAF, fast track irtec licensing to help bridge the skills gap
- Pioneering the IRTE Skills Challenge to highlight the great work in the PSV industry
- New technical guidance for waste management vehicles
IRTE is also the pioneering force behind the irtec and IRTE Workshop Accreditation schemes. These schemes are recognised as the minimum industry standards for both technicians and the workplace in which they operate.
What makes a modern road transport engineer?
Road transport engineers are skilled problem solvers, methodical in their approach to safety and inspection of vehicles, and have wide ranging technical and regulatory knowledge which sets them apart as true experts. Our members in IRTE range from first job apprentices right up to depot managers, chief engineers, and general managers of haulage firms or bus franchises. A road transport engineering career has no limits - but all IRTE affiliated SOE members have common goals of best practice and safety, whether they are working with technology or individuals.
You can find transport engineers maintaining and managing:
- Buses and coaches
- Heavy goods vehicles
- Heavy mobile plant & materials handling equipment (MHE)
- Large specialist vehicles
- Light commercial vehicles
- Trailers
The HGV & PSV industries have, in recent years, taken great leaps ahead in terms of technology, safety and environmental outputs. Vehicles and vehicle workshops are clean, modern workspaces where you are as likely to fault find and repair with a state of the art electronic diagnostic system, as the more traditional (but just as important) manual tools. It is this versatility which makes road transport engineers true experts.
TIP Mechanic Academy Earns Prestigious CPD Accreditation from SOE
TIP Mechanic Academy has received its CPD accreditation from the SOE, reinforcing its commitment to high industry standards in trailer maintenance.
DAF Trucks Unveils State-of-the-Art Apprentice Training Centre in Nottingham
In a significant move to bolster the UK's automotive sector, DAF Trucks has officially launched the DAF Apprentice Academy in Nottingham.
IRTE to lead the skills workshop at Microlise Transport Conference 2025: A Must-Attend Event for Transport Industry Leaders.
The IRTE is excited to announce its participation in the Microlise Transport Conference 2025, one of Europe’s premier events for transport and logistics professionals.
Latest IRTE events
Northern Centre Annual General Meeting
Centre Annual General Meeting followed by The Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle UnitDVSA Further Update
Brunel Western Regional group invite you to an presentation by Leighton Burman, Testing Network Manager, Area 5, Vehicle Services.Pico Technology – Vehicle Diagnostics
Due to circumstances beyond our control the presentation by Pico on Vehicle Diagnostics has been postponed. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
irtec Licensing Scheme
Recognising the need for those working in the industry to prove their competence, IRTE pioneered the irtec Licensing Scheme for technicians and mechanics. An irtec licence certifies the skills and safety of technicians and mechanics working in road transport. IRTE also audits passenger carrying and commercial vehicle workshops under IRTE Workshop Accreditation, providing maintenance providers with the tools to prove their high standards of work while also providing operators with the ability to choose their workshops with confidence.
SOE Accreditations
Transport Engineer Magazine
IRTE publishes monthly magazine Transport Engineer, renowned for its incisive features, news analysis and comment as well as a wide range of best practice guides. Visit the official Transport Engineer website for industry news, a supplier directory, the latest jobs, videos, white papers, product news, legislation updates, recall data and more.