HGV dimensions and weight: UK & European rules 2026

In this blog you will read:

• The maximum permitted width, length, height and weight for HGVs and trucks.
• The main UK and European rules for vehicle dimensions.
• Country-specific limits and exceptions across Europe.
  

What is the maximum HGV width in the UK?

In Great Britain, the maximum permitted overall width for most HGVs and other goods vehicles is 2.55 metres.

Refrigerated vehicles may be to be 2.60 metres wide because of the extra insulation needed to keep the load at temperature. This compensates for the loss of load area dimensions 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
• Indicators, position lights, reflectors and marker lights
• Parts used for fixing tarpaulins

Does the maximum HGV width include mirrors?

No. Mirrors are among the items excluded when determining a vehicle's overall width under the UK Construction and Use Regulations.

TRALERT® specialises in vehicle lighting for the truck and semi-trailer industry.
Our mission is to contribute to road safety by complying with regulations and supplying products that are fully aligned with these requirements.

What is the maximum truck length?

• The maximum length of a standard truck in the EU is 12 metres.
• For a truck with a semi-trailer ( articulated truck), the maximum length may be 16.50 metres.
• A truck with a trailer may be no longer than 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?

In many European countries, there is a maximum vehicle height of 4.00 metres for trucks and articulated vehicle combinations. This value stems from the European Directive 96/53/EC on maximum vehicle dimensions.

However, it is important to know that height limits are not completely uniform within Europe. Some countries have different national limits or operate with infrastructure restrictions. For example, Finland allows vehicle heights up to around 4.40 metres, while in countries such as Sweden and Norway, practical limits are often determined by the available headroom of bridges and tunnels.

Drivers and transport companies must therefore always take into account local regulations and signage on the road network.

Tip: For extra visibility with tall vehicles, the use of top lights or roof lights can help others better gauge the vehicle’s height, particularly when driving in the dark or transporting exceptional loads. TRALERT® offers robust LED lights for this purpose that comply with ECE regulations.

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 heavier trucks for domestic operations with special permits, as shown in our country-specific breakdown.

Maximum axle loads

In addition to the total weight, there are also rules for maximum axle loads in Europe. According to the EU framework, the maximum load is typically:

- 10 tonnes for a single non-driven axle
- 11.5 tonnes for a driven axle

National enforcement may have additional rules or exceptions to this, depending on vehicle configuration and number of axles.

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

Long and heavy truck (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 can reduce the number of trips per load transported and thus contribute to more efficient transport. The exact CO₂ savings depend on load factor, route and vehicle configuration.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, LZV combinations of up to 25.25 metres and 60 tonnes operate on a specially designated road network. A height of around 4.00 metres is usually maintained for regular vehicles, although infrastructure sometimes allows higher vehicles.

Super Eco Combi's (SEC) are still in the research and testing phase in the Netherlands. According to government communication, the first truck on public roads was expected in 2026.

United Kingdom

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

There are, however, pilot schemes involving slightly longer semi-trailers (up to 18.55 metres), but infrastructure constraints, axle load regulations (max. 10.5 tonnes per axle) and safety considerations stand in the way of the 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 a semi-trailer’s cargo space are 10.5 metres long and 2.46 metres wide.

There are many options for illuminating the cargo space. Consider cargo space lighting with motion sensors. This lighting is specially designed for use in interior spaces. TRALERT® offers a wide range of LED interior lighting.

Side marker lights

For road safety, it is vital that other road users can accurately gauge the width of your vehicle. Various lighting options are available to make this easier, such as side marker lights. Side marker lights, as the name suggests, are designed to clearly indicate the width of the vehicle. This is important when another road user approaches your vehicle in the dark. Side marker lights are also crucial when meeting oncoming traffic or overtaking. Serious accidents can occur if a road user is unable to accurately judge the width of a large vehicle. Find out more about the rules and legislation governing lorry lighting.

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.

Frequently asked questions about truck dimensions

What is the maximum width of a truck in Europe?
The maximum width is usually 2.55 metres, or 2.60 metres for vehicles with temperature-controlled surface mounting.

What is the maximum height of a truck in Europe?
Many countries apply 4.00 metres, but some countries such as Finland allow higher vehicles.

What is the maximum weight of a truck in Europe?
The standard limit for international transports is 40 tonnes, with 44 tonnes allowed for combined transports.

How long can a truck-trailer combination be?
A tractor-trailer combination may be 16.5 metres long, and a truck with a trailer 18.75 metres.

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.