Driving ban in Belgium and the Netherlands (Netherlands) β 2025
4 August '25
Reading time 6 minutes
Truck transport through Belgium and the Netherlands is subject to detailed restrictions, especially for oversized loads and dangerous goods.
The regulations not only govern the days and times when vehicles may travel, but also apply to specific sections of roads and motorways, weather conditions and the types of cargo being transported.
In this article, you will find up-to-date information on truck driving bans in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2025, including details of the routes affected and tips on how to obtain the necessary permits.
This is essential knowledge for anyone planning to travel through these two Benelux countries as part of international road transport.
Driving bans in Belgium β oversized transport
In Belgium, there are detailed rules governing the movement of oversized vehicles. These apply to both motorways and other roads.
These regulations are designed to increase safety and minimise traffic disruption, especially during rush hours and on public holidays.
Restrictions on heavy goods vehicles on motorways
Heavy goods vehicles are prohibited on motorways:
- from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 9 a.m. on Monday β for vehicles with non-standard loads,
- every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. β for non-standard loads that meet at least one of the following conditions:
- width over 3.5 m,
- length over 30 m,
- height over 4.3 m,
- from 4:00 p.m. on the day preceding the holiday until 9:00 a.m. on the following day (after the holiday) β for vehicles with non-standard loads.
List of Belgian public holidays during which driving with non-standard loads is prohibited
| DATE | PUBLIC HOLIDAY |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 20 April | Easter |
| 21 April | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| 29 May | Ascension Day |
| 8 and 9 June | Whitsun |
| 21 July | Belgian National Holiday |
| 15 August | Assumption Day |
| 1 November | All Saints’ Day |
| 11 November | Armistice Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
The restrictions apply from 4 p.m. on the day preceding the holiday until 9 a.m. on the following day.
Restrictions on motorways during rush hour
In addition, Belgium has traffic restrictions for oversized vehicles during rush hour on selected motorway sections around major cities.
The bans are in force from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and apply to the following roads:
- R0 β Brussels ring road,
- R1 β Antwerp ring road (between junctions 2 and 6),
- R9 β the so-called small Charleroi ring road,
- A604-A15 (Seraing-Hognoul junction) and Loncin junction β in the direction of Seraing-Hognul,
- the connection of the Liège motorway (E40/E42-E25) between Burenville (junction no. 33) and Tillf (junction no. 42), as well as the A003 between the Loncin and Cheratte junctions.
Traffic restrictions on motorways leading to Brussels
On selected sections of motorways leading to Brussels, temporary driving bans apply to oversized vehicles.
These restrictions apply:
- towards Brussels: from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.,
- from Brussels (i.e. in the opposite direction): from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The ban covers the following routes:
- A1 (E19) Brussels β Antwerp: section between Mechelen and Brussels,
- A3 (E40) Brussels β LiΓ¨ge: section between Heverlee (junction E40/E314) and Brussels,
- A4 (E411) Brussels β Namur: on the route from Wavre (junction no. 8) to Brussels,
- A7 (E19) Brussels β Mons: section between Halle and Brussels,
- A10 (E40) Brussels β Ostend: section between Aalst and Brussels.
Restrictions on truck traffic on national roads
Outside motorways, special vehicle transport is prohibited:
- from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Monday β with non-standard loads,
- on public holidays (listed above in the table): from 4 p.m. on the previous day to 6 a.m. on the following day β for oversized transport,
- every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. β for vehicles exceeding 4 m in width or 30 m in length.
In some cities, such as Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Mons and Liège, oversized vehicles are prohibited between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
During the holiday period β from 27 June to 4 September β there is an additional restriction for this type of transport on Fridays from 15:00 to 22:00.
Weather conditions and road signs
Oversized transport in Belgium is prohibited during the following periods:
- when there is snow or ice on the road,
- visibility is less than 200 metres (e.g. fog, heavy rain).
It is also worth remembering that trucks with a maximum permissible weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes are subject to a total ban on overtaking during rain and snow.
Additional exemptions also apply in tunnels and on roads marked with signs C24a, C24b and C24c. These apply to ADR transport (transport of dangerous goods, e.g. in tankers) used for radioactive substances and materials that may contaminate water.
Driving ban in the Netherlands β oversized transport
The Netherlands also has strict legal regulations governing the movement of oversized vehicles. Their purpose is to ensure traffic flow and safety, especially during rush hours and in difficult road conditions.
Temporary driving bans for trucks in the Netherlands
Oversized transport in the Netherlands is subject to the following restrictions:
- On weekdays:
- driving ban from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (in the western part of the country from 6:00 a.m.),
- driving ban from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (until 8:00 p.m. in the west of the country).
- On weekends:
- traffic ban from 9:00 a.m. on Saturday to midnight on Sunday β (there are exceptions allowing passage).
- During adverse weather conditions, the ban applies:
- when visibility is limited to less than 200 m,
- when the road surface is slippery (snow, ice, heavy rain).
Requirements and exceptions
Oversized transport requires a special permit issued by the Service Bureau Ontheffingen (SBO) β the body that supervises special transport in the country.
Contact details for the SBO: tel.: +31 79 345 8134
Permits are not required for:
- vehicles carrying indivisible loads not exceeding 22 metres in length and 3 metres in width,
- mobile cranes (up to 5 axles and a maximum total weight not exceeding 60 tonnes).
Route planning β Belgium and the Netherlands
Transporting oversized loads in Belgium and the Netherlands requires drivers and freight forwarders not only to be familiar with local regulations, but also, above all, to plan carefully. Both countries apply numerous traffic restrictions for oversized vehicles, varying in terms of time, geography and weather, and violating them can have serious consequences.
To avoid the risk of downtime, having to turn back en route and financial penalties, it is worth using modern logistics support tools.
HOGS Maps is a solution that facilitates the management of oversized transport in Europe, including routes through Belgium and the Netherlands. Thanks to up-to-date data, including driving bans, this tool enables:
β checking restrictions on driving hours, public holidays and weather conditions,
β select the optimal route in accordance with applicable regulations,
β analyse transport costs, rates and estimated delivery times,
β compare alternative routes, including detours and tunnels.
With HOGS Maps special transport through Belgium and the Netherlands becomes more predictable and compliant with regulations.
β‘ Try HOGS Maps for 14 days free of charge!
Summary
Both Belgium and the Netherlands have precise regulations restricting the movement of oversized vehicles on their territory.
The regulations include bans on driving such trucks on weekends and public holidays, as well as during morning and afternoon rush hours and in difficult weather conditions. Additional restrictions have been introduced on selected sections of motorways. In addition, ADR transport is subject to specific restrictions on roads and in tunnels marked with appropriate road signs.
Proper preparation and obtaining the required permits are key measures to avoid penalties and unplanned downtime while driving. When planning your route, it is worth using tools such as HOGS Maps, which help carriers comply with regulations and increase the safety and efficiency of specialised transport.
More useful information on driving bans for heavy goods vehicles in Europe:
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