Heavy goods vehicle charge in the Netherlands (truck toll)

Do you operate a heavy goods vehicle of over 3,500 kilograms (technical maximum mass)? If so, you must pay the heavy goods vehicle charge (truck toll). You must also pay motor vehicle tax (road tax) if the technical maximum mass of your vehicle is 12,000 kilograms or more. 

How much truck toll do you have to pay? 

If you drive a category N2 or N3 vehicle the registered owner of the vehicle pays per kilometre you drive on roads for which the truck toll applies. The rate per kilometre is based on the vehicle’s maximum technical mass (weight) and its emission class. The heavier the vehicle and the higher the emissions, the higher the toll rate per kilometre is. You can calculate the rate using the RDW’s calculation tool. 

How do you pay the truck toll? 

Every truck must be fitted with an On-board Unit (OBU or toll box). To obtain an OBU you need to enter into a contract with an approved service provider. The OBU keeps track of the kilometres you travel on toll roads. The service provider calculates the amount you owe. You pay this amount to the service provider. Note that you must also have an OBU if you do not drive on roads where the truck toll applies. 

Exemptions and waivers from the truck toll 

The truck toll applies only to heavy vehicles in the N2 and N3 categories used to transport goods. Other heavy vehicles, such as buses and tractors, are not subject to the truck toll. You can apply for an exemption for: 

• trucks older than 40 years that are not used for commercial purposes 
• trucks used by the police or fire department 

Some trucks used for specific purposes are automatically exempt from the truck toll. These include: 

• zero-emission trucks and delivery vans weighing up to 4,250 kg 
• garbage trucks, street sweepers, and sewer vacuum trucks 
• military vehicles 
• vehicles with a one-day license plate, transit license plate, or dealer license plate