Heavy transport regulations Europe by country - permits and dimensions

Maximum dimensions & weights

Standard maximum for a tractor-trailer combination: 16.50 m x 2.55 m x 4.00 m / 40 tonnes. The Netherlands has more generous national limits: up to 50 tonnes at 5+ axles.

Permits

A permit is required for indivisible loads from 22.00 x 3.00 x 4.00 m or 50,000 kg. Two types: long-term permit (valid 1 year) and one-off permit (4-12 weeks).

Long-term tractor: max. 22.00 x 3.50 x 4.25 m / 50,000 kg

Long-term trailer: max. 27.50 x 3.50 x 4.25 m / 100,000 kg

One-off permit: for dimensions exceeding above, valid up to 12 weeks

Driving restrictions & time windows

On the secondary road network, time windows apply. Length 40-50 m or width 4.01-4.50 m: driving allowed 10:00-15:00 and 20:00-06:00. Larger dimensions: night driving only 20:00-06:00.

Escort requirements

Secondary network: 1 escort from length 27.51-32.00 m or width 3.51-4.00 m. 2 escorts for larger dimensions. Primary network (motorways) has more relaxed requirements.

Required documents

Valid registration documents for trailer and tractor

Permit document (when standard dimensions exceeded)

CMR consignment note

Driving licence CE + Code 95

Maximum dimensions & weights

Standard maximum: 16.50 m x 2.55 m x 4.00 m / 44 tonnes. Belgium has a higher standard weight than Germany (44 vs 40 T), but note: at borders with countries where 40 T applies, the EU minimum of 40 T is enforced.

Permits – 5 types

Whole Belgium: max. 27.00 x 3.50 x 4.00 m / 44,000 kg | 5 years

Motorway network: max. 30.00 x 4.25 x 4.30 m / 44,000 kg | 1 year

90 km/h network: max. 30.00 x 4.25 x 4.50 m / 90,000 kg | 1 year

120 km/h network: max. 35.00 x 5.00 x 4.80 m / 120,000 kg | 4 months

Route permit: bespoke, max. 2 months

Driving restrictions

Exceptional transport prohibited: day before public holiday from 16:00 to midnight; Saturday 12:00 to Sunday 24:00; during snowfall/rain/fog with visibility <200 m; on icy or snowy roads.

Escort requirements

0 vehicles for dimensions 16.50-30.00 m / 2.56-3.50 m. 1 vehicle from 30.01-35.00 m or width 3.51-4.50 m. 2 vehicles for larger. 3 vehicles for length >40 m or width >5 m. Note: rules differ between Flanders and Wallonia.

Belgium requires vehicle documents in French or Dutch. Always check regional differences between Flanders and Wallonia.

Maximum dimensions & weights

Standard maximum: 16.50 m x 2.55 m x 4.00 m / 40 tonnes. Germany has a stricter standard weight than Belgium and France.

Permits – §§ StVZO system

§46 permit: load exceeds permitted dimensions but vehicle itself is compliant

§70 permit: vehicle authorisation for vehicles exceeding legal maximum dimensions – requires TUV report

§29 permit: temporary driving authorisation, max. 3 months – based on §70

The price of a §29 permit depends on 7 factors. Rules can differ by federal state (Bundesland).

Escort requirements – BF system

BF2: commercial escort vehicle, basic level

BF3: certified escort vehicle with specific equipment

BF4: heaviest commercial escort

HiPo / Police: for extreme dimensions or hazardous routes

Required documents

§70 vehicle authorisation with TUV report

§29 driving permit

CMR consignment note

Coupling document tractor-trailer

Maximum dimensions & weights

Standard maximum: 16.50 m x 2.55 m x 4.00 m / 44 tonnes. France, like Belgium, has 44 T as its national maximum.

Permits – CAT system

CAT 1: max. 20.00 x 3.00 x 4.50 m / 48,000 kg | 3 years | route map required

CAT 2: max. 25.00 x 4.00 x 4.50 m / 48,000 kg | 2 years | route map required

CAT 2 fixed route: max. 25.00 x 4.00 x 4.50 m / 72,000 kg | 1 year

CAT 3 fixed route: >25.00 x 4.00 x 4.50 m / 72,000 kg | 1-6 months

Driving restrictions

National driving ban: Saturday 12:00 (or day before public holiday) to Monday 06:00 (or day after public holiday). Prohibited during snow, freezing rain or poor visibility.

Escort (Guidage)

France uses private guides ('guidage') on yellow motorcycles. If unavailable, police escort may be required. Number of guides depends on width and length category.

France requires vehicle documents to be in French or certified translation. A special power of attorney on carrier letterhead is also required.

Permits – Categories I-V

Cat. I: width up to 3.50 m | all public roads | 12 months

Cat. II: 23.00 x 3.20 x 4.30 m / 40 T | all public roads | 1-24 months | 1 escort

Cat. III: without steering axles 23.00 x 3.40 x 4.30 m / with steering 30.00 x 3.40 x 4.30 m | national roads + motorways

Cat. IV: without steering 23.00 x 4.00 x 4.30 m / with steering 30.00 x 4.00 x 4.30 m / 60 T | all public roads

Cat. V: exceeds all above | bespoke | 14 days (single trip) or 30 days (multiple trips)

Poland has a mandatory e-TOLL system for trucks. Register and install OBU before departure.

Permits

Permit required from 16.50 x 2.55 x 4.00 m / 40,000 kg. Annual permit: max. 25.00 x 3.50 x 4.20 m / 60,000 kg. Not all states issue annual permits – Tyrol and Vorarlberg require separate applications.

Escort – 4 levels

Level 1: 1 escort, German-speaking, familiar with local road network

Level 2: 1 certified Austrian escort vehicle

Level 3: 2 certified escorts

Level 4: 3 certified escorts

Austria has night and weekend driving bans for trucks. Always verify in advance via ASFINAG.

Permits

Permit required from: 16.50 x 2.55 x 4.00 m / 42,000 kg (5 axles) or 48,000 kg (6 axles). Only one-off permits available in Czech Republic – no long-term permits.

Escort

1 vehicle: 22.00-29.50 m x 3.20-3.95 m x 4.50-5.50 m / up to 59,999 kg

2 vehicles: 29.50-39.50 m x 3.95 m x 5.50 m / up to 99,999 kg

3 vehicles: from 39.50 m x 3.95 m x 5.50 m / 100,000+ kg

Maximum dimensions & weights

Standard maximum: 16.50 m x 3.30 m x 4.10 m / 40 T. Denmark has a wider standard width (3.30 m) than the EU norm (2.55 m).

Permits

Denmark uses a classification system. The classification determines which permit and conditions apply. Extendable trailers with steering axles: permit from 30.00 m.

Escort

Escort required for length >30 m or width >3.65 m (local roads) / >4.00 m (motorways). Mirror requirement: driver must always have adequate rear visibility past the load.

Permits

Permit required for width >3.50 m, height >4.50 m, or length >30 m. No long-term permits – only route-specific permits for max. 3 months.

Escort – Escort + VTL system

Sweden uses regular escorts and VTL (Vagtransportledare) – a certified private supervisor with police-like authority for special transports.

Width 3.10-3.50 m + length >30 m: 1 escort

Width 3.51-4.50 m: 1-2 escorts

Width >4.51 m: 1-2 escorts + 2 VTL

Permits

Permit required from 20.00 x 3.25 x 4.50 m / 50 T. No long-term permits – only route permits valid for 1 month.

Escort

Escort required for width >=3.00 m and/or length >=23.50 m. Exact number determined by authorities when permit is issued.

Norway is not an EU member (EEA member). Customs formalities apply. Calculate tolls in advance via AutoPASS.

Maximum dimensions & weights

Finland has Europe's most generous standard limits: tractor-trailer up to 30.00 x 4.00 x 4.40 m / 48 T. At 7+ axles, up to 76 T is permitted for EU/EEA carriers without a permit.

Escort – scalable system

Width 2.55-3.00 m: 1 vehicle at length 30-35 m, 2 vehicles >35 m

Width 3.01-3.50 m: 1 vehicle <30 m, 2 vehicles 30-35 m, 3 >35 m

Width 4.01-5.00 m: always 2-3 vehicles

Width >5.00 m: always at least 3 vehicles

Height >5.00 m: always 1 additional vehicle on top of above

Permits

Permit required for combinations exceeding 16.50 x 2.55 x 4.20 m / 40,000 kg. Annual permit: max. 30.00 x 3.00 x 4.00 m / 40,000 kg. One-off permits also available.

Escort – private or ATB

Width 3.51-3.80 m: 1 private escort

Width >=3.80 m: 1 ATB escort

Length 30-35 m: 1 escort

Front overhang >=5.00 m: 1 escort

Rear overhang >=8.00 m: 1 escort

Switzerland is non-EU. Customs documents (ATA Carnet, TIR) required at border. LSVA distance-based toll applies – OBU required.

Permits – 3 categories

Generica: up to 20.55 m x 3.00 m x 4.50 m / 45 T | day and night | no escort | valid throughout Spain

Especifica: up to 40 m x 5.00 m x 4.70 m / 110 T | route-specific | duration per region

Excepcional: all transports exceeding Especifica | bespoke

Driving restrictions

National ban for exceptional transport: Saturday or day before public holiday 13:00 to Monday or day after public holiday 02:00. Additional regional bans may apply.

Spain has 3 permit regions: Basque Country, Navarre and the rest of Spain (including Catalonia). Procedures and validity periods differ per region. Foreign carriers must register once with Spanish authorities – documents must be translated by a Spain-recognised translator.

Permits

Exceptional transport requires authorisation exceeding: 16.50 m (tractor-trailer) or 18.75 m (motor vehicle + trailer). Applications must be submitted 15 days in advance to the road authority.

Single permit: 1 trip, valid max. 1 month

Multiple permit: limited number of trips, max. 3 months

Periodic permit: unlimited trips, up to 6 months (or 1 year for rear overhang <4/10 vehicle length)

Driving restrictions

Sunday and public holidays: trucks >7.5 T banned 09:00-22:00. Exceptional transport: Saturday 12:00 to Monday 06:00 on national/regional roads. Motorways: Sunday ban 08:00-22:00. July-August: additional summer bans.

Escort

Escort mandatory for: width >3.00 m, lane width <3.50 m with wide transport, front overhang >2.50 m or rear overhang >4/10 vehicle length, driving speed <30 km/h.

Italy requires the vehicle data sheet in Italian, authenticated by a notary, mayor's office or other authority. Allow extra lead time for this.