Truck width, height and weight: legislation Europe 2026

Knowing the regulations on truck weight, width and height is essential for smooth transport in Europe. The rules do still differ from country to country on certain points. For example, some countries allow longer and heavier trucks. Also known as LZWs, EuroCombi or Gigaliner.

In this blog you will read:

• What the EU standards are regarding truck length, height and weight.
• National exceptions in various European countries.
• What the expectations are towards the future.

What is the maximum truck width?

The maximum width of test in Europe and the UK is 2.55 metres, except for refrigerated test, which are allowed a width of 2.60 metres.

Refrigerated test are allowed to be 2.60 metres wide because of the extra insulation needed to keep the load at temperature. This compensates for the loss of cargo space due to thicker walls.

So the load counts towards the width of your truck but not every part counts. Consider the truck's mirrors. These do not count when considering a truck's maximum width of 2 metres a 55 centimetres. Besides the mirrors, there are other parts that are disregarded. These parts are:

• Tyre pressure gauges
• Snow chains
• Mudflaps
• Folding steps
• Direction indicators, city lights, reflectors and marker lights
• Parts used for fixing tarpaulins

Maximum truck width including mirrors

The width of trucks is measured without the side mirrors. However, these mirrors can add 20-30 cm on each side, making the total width including mirrors about 2.95 to 3.05 metres.

TRALERT® is a specialist in vehicle lighting for the Truck & Semi-Trailer industry.
Our mission is to contribute to safe road transport by following regulations and supplying products that are in line with them.

What is the maximum truck length?

• The maximum length of a standard truck in the EU is 12 metres.
• For truck with semi-trailer (truck combination), the maximum length may be 16.50 metres.
• A truck with a semi-trailer must not exceed 18.75 metres.
• For LHVs (Long Heavy Vehicles), there are exceptions up to 25.25m and even 34.5m in some scandinavian countries.

* However, some countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, allow exceptions where EMS ( European Modular System) trucks can be up to 25.25 metres long.

What is the maximum truck height?

The maximum height allowed across the EU is 4.00 metres, and applies to all types of test, both rigid and semi-trailer combinations. Although loading bays and facilities are usually tailored to this height, it is important to ensure that infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, provides sufficient headroom. Especially for high test or when transporting in the dark, top lights/roof lights are a valuable addition to standard marker lights.

Tip: For extra visibility on high vehicles, the use of top lights/roof lights can contribute to a better estimation of the vehicle height, especially when driving in the dark or in exceptional transport. TRALERT® offers robust LED lights that comply with ECE regulations for this purpose.

Maximum truck weight

The standard weight limit for trucks in the EU is 40 tonnes, but under specific circumstances (such as intermodal transport, where the truck switches between road and rail), this can be extended to 44 tonnes. Many countries also allow heavietrucksst for domestic operations with special permits, as shown in our country-specific breakdown.

Long and heavy trucks (LHV/EMS) in Europe, the state of play December 2025.

Long and heavy test (LHVs), also known as European Modular System (EMS) vehicles, are playing an increasingly important role in making European road transport more sustainable. However, regulations and authorisation vary greatly from country to country.

Below we list the most notable exceptions for different countries in Europe.

Germany

Germany allows LHVs up to 25.25 metres, with a weight limit of 40 tonnes. In combined or intermodal transport, this may go up to 44 tonnes. These vehicles are only allowed on the so-called Positivnetz - a specifically designated road network, further expanded by 2025.

Operators must comply with onerous technical requirements, such as installing blind spot assistance and additional lighting requirements. Since 2022, marker lights with indicator function have been mandatory. From 2025, this requirement has been further tightened according to EU standards.

LHVs demonstrably contribute to CO₂ reduction - up to 30% less emissions per tonne of cargo. This explains the increasing use of these vehicles in Germany.

Netherlands

The Netherlands continues to lead the way. LHVs can be up to 25.25 metres long and weigh up to 60 tonnes. They operate on an extensive, approved network. Drivers hold a CPC LZV certificate and vehicles are RDW-approved.

Since 2025, the first Super Eco Combi's (SEC) have also been driving on Dutch roads. These vehicles are up to 32 metres long and weigh up to 72 tonnes. They are being tested on routes such as Rotterdam-Venlo, with a focus on efficiency, safety and further emission reduction.

United Kingdom

The UK applies a standard weight of 44 tonnes, with maximum lengths of 16.5 metres (tractor-trailer) and 18.75 metres (vehicle combinations). LHVs of 25.25 metres are not allowed.

However, there are pilots with slightly longer semi-trailers (up to 18.55 metres), but infrastructure restrictions, axle load rules (max 10.5 tonnes per axle) and safety considerations prevent large-scale deployment of EMS combinations.

Italy

Italy strictly follows EU standards of maximum 18.75 metres and 44 tonnes. LHVs are banned. The government emphasises intermodal transport, where goods are transported by train or ship as much as possible to relieve roads and the environment.

France

France maintains standard limits and does not allow LHVs. Pilot projects round 2010 have been halted due to public resistance. Objections focus on infrastructure charging and safety risks. Despite ongoing EU discussions, France remains wait-and-see.

Sweden

Sweden is a pioneer in HCT (High Capacity Transport). Combinations of up to 34.5 metres and 74 tonnes operate on the BK4 network. Since this year, new configurations like B-double and C-double are also allowed.

In addition, trials are ongoing for even heavier vehicles up to 93 tonnes, especially in sectors such as forestry and heavy industry.

Finland

Finland, like Sweden, offers a lot of freedom: vehicles up to 34.5 metres and 76 tonnes can drive on almost the entire road network. Only restrictions apply within urban areas. Here, too, tests are taking place with even heavier combinations tailored to the needs of heavy industry.

Future of freight transport in Europe

Europe is taking steps towards more uniform legislation for LHV traffic, but differences remain wide. Countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden are making EMS and HCT transport increasingly accessible. At the same time, France, Italy and the UK are sticking to standard EU limits.

Yet the direction is clear: LHVs are becoming the key to cleaner, smarter and more efficient transport in Europe.

In the coming years, more countries may switch to mega-trucks as Europe works to reduce CO2 emissions and improve freight transport efficiency.

Make sure you comply with the latest regulations

It is crucial to keep up to date with transport regulations to avoid fines and ensure that your operations run smoothly. Whether you are driving through Germany or planning to operate in Spain, knowing the rules for truck dimensions and weight can save you a lot of time and effort.

Truck dimensions cargo space

The width of a truck's cargo space can vary. The most common dimensions for the cargo space of a semi-trailer are 10.5 metres long and 2.46 metres wide.

To lighten the cargo space, there are many options. Think cargo space lighting with motion sensors. This lighting is specially designed for use in the interior. TRALERT® offers a wide range of LED interior lighting.

Side marker lighting

For road safety it is very important that other road users can properly estimate the width of your vehicle. To make this easier, different lighting is available. These include side marker lights. Side marker lights, as the name suggests, are designed to clearly indicate the width of the vehicle. This is important when a fellow road user approaches your vehicle in the dark. Side marker lights are also crucial when approaching or overtaking. Serious accidents can happen if a road user cannot properly assess the width of a large vehicle. More on truck lighting rules and legislation.

The TRALERT® choice

Below is a sample of our selection of side marker lights:

Can the load protrude?

A truck's load is allowed to protrude, provided it is within the limits of the truck's maximum length, width and height. It is important to distinguish between two types of cargo: divisible and indivisible cargo. Divisible cargo can be split into several parts, such as packages or dismountable objects. Indivisible cargo, on the other hand, cannot be divided into pieces and must be transported in one piece.

Divisible load

Divisible cargo may not protrude at the front of the truck. At the rear, divisible cargo may protrude, up to a maximum of 1 metre. If the load protrudes more than 1 metre, it is mandatory to affix marking signs or lighting to make the load clearly visible to other road users.

Indivisible load

Indivisible cargo may protrude at the front in some cases, depending on national regulations, but the overall vehicle length must often stay within the legal limits. At the rear, indivisible load is allowed to protrude, with a general European limit of a maximum of 3 metres behind the vehicle. National exceptions can extend this to, say, 5 metres, as in the Netherlands. It is mandatory to use marking signs when indivisible cargo protrudes more than 1 metre, to ensure safety.

External sources

European union official website for regulations

• EU Directive 96/53/EC on Truck Dimensions
  This directive outlines the general framework for truck dimensions and weight limits across the EU.

Revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive 96/53/EC

• https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/revision-weights-and-dimensions-directive-9653ec

UK government

• UK Gov: Construction and Use Regulations
  Contains detailed information about the regulations governing vehicle dimensions in the UK.

Germany - federal ministry for digital and transport

• German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport
  Information about longer and heavier vehicles (LZVs) in Germany and related transport laws.
• https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/StVO.pdf
• https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__22.html

Netherlands - ministry of infrastructure and water management

• Government of the Netherlands: LZV Policy
  Official guidelines on the legal framework for EMS trucks in the Netherlands. https://wetten.nl/
• RDW applications Exceptional transport. Here you will also find more information on LZV vehicle approval.

Disclaimer:

At TRALERT®, we do our best to keep the information in this article as accurate and up-to-date as possible, including the regulations surrounding vehicle lighting. However, legislation can change regularly, and although we make every effort to implement these changes in a timely manner, it is possible that certain updates or adjustments have not yet been incorporated into this article. We therefore always advise our readers to check the current legislation with their local government or regulatory bodies, especially when it comes to exceptions or specific national regulations. TRALERT® is not liable for any damages or fines resulting from outdated or incomplete information in this article.

If in doubt, always contact the competent authority to ensure that your vehicle meets all legal requirements.