The CNR is a technical body whose primary mission is to observe the way in which road transport markets operate, and whose scope of action in the road haulage sector has gradually been extended from national transport under the French flag to all transport carried out in Europe. It is also a think-tank where the analyses of professional leaders on the situation and the future of the sector are put forward, with the help of qualified personalities and the contribution of work carried out by a team of permanent staff.

By virtue of the general interest mission entrusted to it by the State, it not only informs but also alerts economic circles and the ministry responsible for transport to any developments observed.

Its work is primarily aimed at companies. Particular attention is paid to SMEs and VSEs, bearing in mind that 80% of the 35,400 TRM and 4,100 TRV companies have fewer than ten employees (based on ‘profiled companies’, the statistical method in force since 2017).

CNR is the only French organization with extensive expertise in observing changes in operating conditions and cost components. From the data collected, it recomposes operating cost references for road transport and establishes indexes which constitute supports for free negotiation. As such, the CNR is a producer of official public statistics. This mission is carried out under the aegis of a Scientific Council, independent of the profession, currently chaired by a university professor and including several INSEE administrators. The Scientific Council certifies the methodology and guarantees the objectivity of the results.

At the heart of the legal system for indexing MRT prices to changes in the cost of propulsion energy (articles L3222 - 1 and 2 of the French Transport Code), the CNR plays a leading role, both in disseminating the reference indicators used in the indexation mechanism, and in its educational initiatives to encourage good practice in tariff adjustment (the law on compulsory ‘diesel’ indexation in MRT has been extended to all propulsion energy products in August 2022).

It develops calculation and management tools to help companies better calculate their own cost prices. These tools are freely available on the CNR website. They have a dual purpose: informative and educational.

The CNR carries out economic analyses on its own initiative or at the request of the Ministry of Transport. These relate to particular segments of activity, the impact of new regulations (e.g. 44 tons, changes in the so-called "Fillon" load reductions) or planned provisions (e.g. impact of the PL eco-tax, CO2 information), particularly those relating to sustainable development policy.

In the international field, monographic studies are carried out on the RFT sectors of the main competing countries in the European Union.

It should be noted that the objectivity of CNR's work is recognized by both carriers and shippers (customers in industry, mass distribution, etc.). The professional media widely relay the CNR's information.