Back

Netherlands

Truck driving restrictions

Basic information


The country has not imposed any restrictions in the international heavy traffic.


Traffic ban from 9:00 on Saturdays to 24:00 on Sundays when the road is slippery and the visibility is below 200 meters. The Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy informs about traffic bans on over-dimensional vehicles and the duty to obtain authorisations (further information may be obtained in: Service Bureau Ontheffingen(SBO) Afd.Toelating Exceptionee Transport tel. 0031/79-3458134 faks-0031/79-3458022).

Detailed information


Authorisations are not required for:

  • transporting non-divisible load not exceeding 22 meters in length and 3 meters in width
  • car-mounted cranes ( with a maximum of 5 axles and of up to 60t maximum permitted weight)

Applicable restrictions on over-dimensional vehicle traffic :

  • during morning peak hours from 7:00 (in the western part of the country – from 6:00 ) to 10:00; during evening peak hours from 16:00 to 18:00 (in the western part of the country – to 20:00); on Saturdays from 9:00 to 24:00 on Sundays (exceptions possible)
  • in bad weather conditions (the visibility is below 200 meters)
  • slippery road

ATTENTION!!!

Heavy vehicles temporarily banned from using the Merwede Bridge (Merwedebrug) on the DutchA27 just outside of Gorinchem


Based on safety considerations, the Department of Waterways and Public Works decided to ban vehicles weighing in excess of 3.5 tons (3,500 kg) from using the Merwede Bridge located on the A27 as of Tuesday, 11 October 2016. This measure will remain in effect until further notice. Meanwhile, the Department of Waterways and Public Works is doing everything it can to eliminate this inconvenience as quickly as possible.


You can follow the latest developments about the Merwede Bridge: www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/merwedebrug


Detours have been signposted (both above and along the roads) for taking either the A2 and A15/A16 (western route) or the A2 and A59 (eastern route).


The kinds of vehicles not allowed to use the bridge


All vehicles weighing in excess of 3.5 tons (3,500 kg). In addition to freight traffic, this ban also applies to heavy vehicles with attached trailers, campers, buses, coaches, etc. All of these should take one of the detours indicated for freight traffic.


The fine for driving one of these vehicles weighing in excess of 3.5 tons (3,500 kg) over the Merwede Bridge is €230 (lorries) or €90 (other). The police and the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) are actually enforcing this measure by issuing fines.


More information is availablehere

Holidays


Public holidays 2026


  • 1st January - New Year's Day
  • 18th April - Good Friday
  • 20th April - Easter Sunday
  • 21st April - Easter Monday
  • 26th April - King's Birthday
  • 5th May - Liberation Day
  • 29th May - Ascension Day
  • 8th June - Whit Sunday
  • 9th June - Whit Monday
  • 25th December - Christmas Day
  • 26th December - Second Day of Christmas