Road vehicles: maximum weights and dimensions

It affects road freight and passenger transport operators, heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, shippers using intermodal transport, abnormal-load transport users, and road infrastructure authorities.

• Allows extra weight or length for zero-emission heavy vehicles and some intermodal transport operations.
• Clarifies cross-border use of heavier vehicles and European Modular Systems where Member States permit them.
• Requires simpler electronic permit systems for indivisible-load transport and information on authorised routes.
• Sets minimum weight-control levels and supports weigh-in-motion and intelligent access policy schemes.

Takes effect

The directive enters into force on the twentieth day following publication in the Official Journal; transposition is due within two years of adoption.

Transitional law

Cross-border use of certain heavier fossil-fuel vehicle combinations up to 44 tonnes is allowed only until 31 December 2034.

• Council Directive 96/53/EC (31996L0053)
  • art. 1: updates scope references to vehicle categories and production standards legislation
  • art. 2: updates and inserts definitions, including European Modular System, vehicle transporter and eFTI Platform
  • art. 4: amends derogations, indivisible loads, EMS rules and trials; deletes paragraph 7
  • art. 4a: inserts electronic one-stop-shop for permits, route information and EMS information
  • art. 4b: inserts rules on cross-border use of heavier vehicle combinations until 2034
  • art. 6: updates proof-of-compliance rules and adds eFTI proof for intermodal transport operations
  • art. 8b: updates aerodynamic-device type-approval references and deletes paragraph 5
  • art. 8c: inserts rules allowing loaded open-body vehicle transporters to exceed maximum lengths
  • art. 9a: updates elongated-cab rules, allowing zero-emission technology length; deletes paragraph 3
  • art. 10b: replaces Article 10b on weights and lengths for alternatively fuelled and zero-emission vehicles
  • art. 10c: replaces Article 10c on length exceedance for 45-foot containers or swap bodies
  • art. 10d: amends identification, automatic systems and minimum checks for overweight vehicles
  • art. 10da: inserts Intelligent Access Policy schemes and minimum conditions
  • art. 10f(1): amends shipper statement to include container or swap body height
  • art. 10g: replaces Article 10g on Member State reporting and Commission reports
  • art. 10h: amends delegated-powers provision to include Article 4(5a)
  • art. 10i: inserts paragraph 4 on urgent implementing acts procedure
  • art. 10j: deletes Article 10j
  • art. 10k: inserts crisis clause allowing temporary exceptions from weight and dimension limits
  • art. Annex I: replaces Annex I
  • art. Annex III: updates reference to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535
• Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 (32020R1056)
  • art. 2(1)(a): inserts point (vi) adding Directive 96/53/EC Article 6(7) to scope