Netherlands: no nationwide truck driving ban. Local and route restrictions may still apply, see below.
The Netherlands has no nationwide Sunday or public holiday driving ban for trucks. Freight can move on the national road network on any day of the week. The real restrictions are local and environmental: since 1 January 2025 a growing number of cities operate zero-emission zones for city logistics that bar older diesel vans and trucks from their centres, expanding to about 28 cities and Schiphol Airport by 2030. Trucks over 3.5 t also keep to an 80 km/h limit and standard weight and dimension rules.
Next 30 days
Netherlands: no scheduled nationwide driving bans. Local and city restrictions are described below.
Public holidays with truck bans — Netherlands 2026
| Date | Holiday | Ban time | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Good Friday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Monday | No general ban applies | ||
| King's Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Liberation Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Ascension Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Whit Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| Whit Monday | No general ban applies | ||
| Christmas Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Boxing Day | No general ban applies |
Exempt from the ban
Environmental and zero-emission zones
The Netherlands does not manage truck traffic through calendar bans but through city access rules. Since 1 January 2025 municipalities operate zero-emission zones for city logistics that cover vans up to 3.5 t and trucks over 3.5 t. Vehicles first registered from 1 January 2025 may enter only if they are emission-free. Older diesels have time-limited access that ends between 2027 and 2030 depending on vehicle type and Euro class, after which only battery or fuel-cell vehicles may deliver in the zone. Cities already enforcing the zones include Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Eindhoven, Groningen, Tilburg, Maastricht, Gouda, Amersfoort and Zwolle, and the scheme expands to about 28 cities and Schiphol Airport by 2030. Foreign-registered trucks are treated the same as Dutch ones and need a dispensation from the RDW if they cannot meet the standard.
Basic driving rules for trucks
Trucks over 3.5 t may drive no faster than 80 km/h on motorways and expressways, and must keep to a lower posted limit where one applies. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 promille for experienced drivers and 0.2 promille for drivers in their first five years. A lorry may weigh no more than 50 t including cargo, a lorry with trailer may not exceed 18.75 m, and a longer heavier combination may reach 25.25 m and 60 t only with an RDW exemption. Oversized or exceptional transport also needs prior permission from the RDW.
FAQ
Are trucks banned on Sundays in the Netherlands?
No. The Netherlands has no legal Sunday driving ban for trucks. Freight traffic is allowed on the national road network every day, including Sundays. Fewer trucks run on Sundays mainly because of collective labour agreements, not a traffic law.
Do public holidays stop truck traffic in the Netherlands?
No. There is no nationwide public holiday driving ban for trucks. On New Year's Day, Easter, King's Day, Ascension Day, Whitsun, Christmas and the other Dutch holidays, trucks may use the roads normally.
Which Dutch cities restrict trucks with environmental zones?
Since 1 January 2025 cities run zero-emission zones for city logistics, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Eindhoven, Groningen, Tilburg, Maastricht, Zwolle, Gouda, Amersfoort and more. These zones bar older diesel vans and trucks from the city centre and phase in fully electric or fuel-cell delivery. The programme grows to about 28 cities and Schiphol Airport by 2030.
What emission standard does my truck need for a Dutch zero-emission zone?
Vehicles first registered from 1 January 2025 must be emission-free to enter. Older diesels have time-limited access: Euro 6 box trucks from 2017–2019 until 1 January 2028, and Euro 6 box trucks from 2020–2024 and Euro 6 tractor units from 2017–2024 until 1 January 2030. Trucks built before 2017 are already excluded.
I transit the Netherlands towards Germany or Belgium. Do their bans affect my plan?
Germany has a real nationwide ban for trucks over 7.5 t on every Sunday and public holiday from 00:00 to 22:00, plus a summer Saturday ban on listed routes, so plan Dutch departures around it. Belgium has no general weekend or holiday driving ban for standard trucks. Always check the destination country's rules before you cross.
Which basic road rules apply to trucks in the Netherlands?
Trucks are limited to 80 km/h on motorways and to the posted limit where it is lower. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 promille for experienced drivers and 0.2 promille in the first five years after licensing. A lorry may weigh no more than 50 t including cargo, and a lorry with trailer may be no longer than 18.75 m.
Official source
- Government.nl - Requirements for lorries
- Government.nl - Freight transportation
- Business.gov.nl - Zero-emission zones in the Netherlands
- Op weg naar ZES (government programme) - Where the zero-emission zones are
- Rijksoverheid.nl - Official public holidays
- Rijksoverheid.nl - Maximum speed on the motorway
- Rijksoverheid.nl - Alcohol limit in traffic
Rules can change on short notice. Verify with the official sources above before dispatch.