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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. 

Ready to take the next step?

Join SOE today

Join SOE Today!

 

Record-Breaking Entry number of entries for IRTE Skills Challenge 2025 Mark a Major Milestone for the Sector

The IRTE Skills Challenge 2025 is set to be the most competitive in its 13-year history. With 124 entries received from apprentices, technicians, and qualified engineers across the UK, this year's competition has more than double the number of applications received in 2024.

GYS Sponsors IRTE Skills Challenge 2025, Championing Workshop Innovation and Technical Talent

The Institute of Road Transport Engineers is delighted to welcome GYS a global leader in automotive equipment manufacturing as a sponsor of the IRTE Skills Challenge 2025.

IRTE Celebrates MPRS Launch and Career Development Initiatives at Commercial Vehicle Show 2025

The Commercial Vehicle Show 2025 was a platform for the Institute of Road Transport Engineers to showcase its commitment to elevating maintenance standards and supporting career development within the commercial vehicle sector.

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Latest IRTE events
Site visit
Site Visit: Leyland PR26 6TJ
Site Visit: Tour of the FOX GROUP facility in Leyland (Hurt Plant Hire) that will include the logistics administration hub, workshop facilities, recycling areas, crush plant, railhead, plant equipment and fleet vehicles.
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Presentation and Factory Tour
Join the SOE North Eastern Centre for an exclusive presentation and behind-the-scenes tour of a specialist Land Rover conversion facility with over two decades of global customisation expertise.
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Showcasing a New Mercedes-Benz Electric Commercial Vehicle
Join the SOE South Wales Regional Group for a unique CPD opportunity to explore cutting-edge electric vehicle technology in the commercial transport sector.

Find and book events


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.