Truck bans in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 2021.

In three Benelux countries, regular restrictions apply mainly in Luxembourg. Belgium and the Netherlands introduce restrictions sporadically, for example in the event of special weather conditions, and permanent bans mainly apply to oversize transport.

According to the drivers, carrying out a transport assignment in the Benelux countries is calm and stress-free. It is safe in these countries – the state of the roads is good, there are relatively few vehicle break-ins, the car parks are guarded and lit. Only the road services take their duties seriously and treat any infringement related to transport and drivers’ working time very strictly. It is therefore advisable to be careful and observe all regulations, including those related to prohibitions.

Truck driving bans in Luxembourg

Holidays in Luxembourg in 2021

– 5 April, Easter Monday

– 1 May, Labour Day

– 9 May, Europe Day

– 13 May, Ascension Day

– 24 May, Pentecost

– 23 June, National Holiday

– 15 August, Assumption Day,

– 1 November, All Saints’ Day,

– 25 and 26 December, Christmas.

Regular bans in Luxembourg

Regular bans on trucks in Luxembourg apply to heavy goods vehicles (with or without a semi-trailer) with a gross vehicle weight of more than 7.5t. Please note that regulations restricting the movement of means of transport used to carry goods apply throughout the country, on the entire road and motorway network.

Transport from Germany or Belgium to France: in this case, there is a ban on Saturdays and days preceding public holidays from 21:30 to 21:45 on Sundays and public holidays. For transport to France, additional bans will also apply on 8 May, 14 July and 11 November.

Transport from Belgium or France to Germany: on the routes concerned, there is a ban on Saturdays and the days before public holidays from 23:30 and on Sundays and public holidays from 21:45.

An exception is the 23rd of June, when the Grand Duke’s birthday is celebrated and the country celebrates its independence from the Netherlands and Belgium. On this day, there are no traffic bans for heavy goods vehicles.

All means of transport over 3.5 tonnes (except delivery vans and those belonging to residents) are also prohibited on the following sections:

– CR150, between the junction with CR152 at Burmerangei and the junction of CR150 with CR152 at Remerschen,

– CR152, between the junction with CR150 in Burmerangei and the junction with CR152B in Schengen,

– N16, between the junction with the N16A at Mondorf-les-Bains and the Mondor junction linking the A13 and N16,

Exemptions from prohibitions

Luxembourg traffic restrictions do not apply to vehicles transporting live animals and perishable goods and flowers, cargo necessary for the proper organisation of events and sporting events, newspapers; also, during the harvest season, for the collection and transport of agricultural products from the place of harvest and combined transport by rail and road, between the place of loading and the point of unloading (provided the route does not exceed 200 km and the transport is heading towards Germany).

Lorry bans in Belgium

Bans in Belgium mainly apply to the transport of oversize loads during certain periods. It should be noted that in this country the movement of such transport is strictly standardised and can take place in specific regions.

Restrictions on public holidays

Restrictions are in force on: 5 April, 1 May, 24 May, 21 July, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November and 25 December. On motorways, the bans apply from 4pm the day before the holiday until 9am the following day, and on other roads from 4pm the previous day until 6am the following day.

Holidays in Belgium in 2021

– 4 April, Easter,

– 5 April, Easter Monday,

– 1 May, Labour Day,

– 13 May, Ascension Day,

– 24 May, Pentecost,

– 11 July, Flemish Community Day,

– 21 July, National Day,

– 15 August, Assumption Day,

– 27 September, French Community Day,

– 1 November, All Saints’ Day,

– 11 November, anniversary of the Armistice of 1918,

– 25 December, Christmas Day.

Restrictions on motorways, roads and cities

Motorways. The ban applies from 6 am on Saturday to 9 am on Monday. For loads exceeding 3.5 metres in width, 30 metres in length or 4.30 metres in height, the ban applies daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. On public holidays – as above – the hours of restriction differ from those on weekends.

Roads. Oversize loads are also banned on the Antwerp bypass R1, between junctions 2 (Antwerpen-Noord) and 6 (Linkeroever), Brussels bypass R0, Charleroi bypass R9 and other sections. You can check more sections on the Bans For Trucks app.

Cities. From 7am to 9am and from 4pm to 6pm, the movement of vehicles with abnormal loads is banned in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Charleroi, Kortrijk, Ghent, Hasselt, Liège, Louvain, Mechelen, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Tournai and Verviers.

Lorry bans in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, as in Belgium, regular bans apply to the transport of oversize loads. Restrictions apply on national and local roads between 6am and 10am and between 3pm and 8pm. 

In case of bad weather conditions, transport of these goods is prohibited. In conditions where visibility is less than 200 metres, it is prohibited to transport

– ADR cargo in tanks with a capacity of more than 3000 l;

– fireworks and UN 0336 and 0337 fireworks weighing more than 20 kg;