Step-by-step plan: Starting as a truck driver
What do you need to do when you start as an independent truck driver in the Netherlands? Read here which steps you have to take. And which rules apply to you.
Zero-emission zones in many cities from 2025
Many Dutch and other European cities have introduced a zero-emission zone in the city centre. This means that vans running on diesel or petrol are no longer be allowed to drive into the inner-city area.
Many municipalities also have low-emission zones. If your vehicle is diesel powered you may not be allowed to enter these zones. Throughout the Netherlands, the same traffic sign (in Dutch) is used to indicate the zones.
Entrepreneurs who intend to stay in the Netherlands must fulfil a number of conditions. You will sometimes also require a residence permit. Our interactive tool Moving to the Netherlands as an entrepreneur can help you find out if this is true for you, and tell you what other obligations you have to fulfil.
You must register your business in the Business Register of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. KVK passes on your data to the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst), so you do not need to register separately at the Tax Administration. When the Tax Administration decides you are an entrepreneur for VAT purposes, you get a VAT number and a VAT ID.
In addition to drivers’ licence C, you must have code 95 on your drivers’ licence. Without a valid code 95 you cannot drive professionally for more than 12 hours. You get the code 95 indication in your licence when you pass the initial qualification for professional drivers (in Dutch) at the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (CBR). That exam consists of 2 theoretical exams at CBR and 2 practical exams with a trainer.
Refresher training code 95
The code 95 is valid for 5 years. To renew the code, you need to follow 35 hours of refresher training each 5 years, including at least one practical training. If you do not, you cannot renew your code 95 and you cannot drive professionally (in Dutch). Only trainings certified by CBR are valid for renewing your code 95. You can find these trainings through the training searcher (in Dutch) of CBR.
Do you not have drivers’ licence C?
For a drivers’ licence C you must pass a theoretical exam and a practical exam. For drivers’ licence CE (truck with trailer) you must pass a separate practical exam.
Are you going to transport goods commercially for others? Then you need a Euro licence (in Dutch) if you will drive vehicles with a load capacity of more than 500 kg. This requirement also applies to vehicles with a maximum authorised weight of 2,500 kg or more. You can apply for this licence at the national and international road transportation organisation (Nationale en Internationale Wegvervoer Organisatie, NIWO).
To get a Euro licence, you must:
When you drive a truck, you must have a certificate regarding competence (in Dutch). For this, you have to pass exams on 6 sections. You can choose where you want to train for this.
Your business must be registered in the Netherlands. You can prove this with a KVK Business Register extract.
You can prove this with a certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG). You can apply for this at your municipality.
You must have at least 1 vehicle. The NIWO checks this with the RDW. You can prove this with a vehicle registration certificate (ownership) or a rental or lease agreement. Register your vehicle in the vehicle register (in Dutch) of the NIWO.
Parcel delivery
Are you going to transport goods as an independent courier or parcel delivery driver? You may need a licence. Read the step-by-step plan for starting as a parcel delivery driver.
For trucks special rates apply for the motor vehicle tax. Usually, for a truck or articulated vehicle you pay truck toll as well.
For transport within the Netherlands, the general transport conditions (Algemene Vervoerscondities, AVC 2002) are usually applied. These are general terms and conditions you can use for road transportation in the Netherlands. For international transport you need a road transport waybill for each part of your load. This is an agreement between the sender and the carrier.
Your driving times may not be too long and you need to take breaks regularly. During an inspection, you must be able to show a record of your driving and rest times for the past 56 days. A tachograph in the vehicle registers the driving time and rest periods. For vehicles weighing more than 3,500 kg, a digital tachograph is mandatory.
To use a digital tachograph, you need a tachograph card (bestuurderskaart). You can apply for this card at Kiwa after getting your drivers’ licence and the code 95 indication. The tachograph registers the driving time and rest periods and these are saved on the tachograph card (in Dutch).
Smart Tachograph Type 2 also mandatory for vehicles from 2,500 kg
Do you use your vehicle for international transport? And does it have a maximum authorised mass of 2,500 kg or more? If so, from 1 July 2026, your vehicle must be fitted with a Smart Tachograph Type 2 (SMT2).
You need to get a periodic motor vehicle test (APK) regularly at a garage or testing station that is approved by RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority). The APK obligation also applies to trailers weighing more than 3,500 kg.
Do you use a truck with a tailboard? This must be inspected annually as well. This does not happen during the APK inspection, but at a recognised testing station (in Dutch).
Do you drive outside the Netherlands, too? Then you must comply with the rules for international transport. These rules protect drivers and are meant to improve safety in traffic.
The most important ones are:
- Rules for driving times and rest periods
- Drivers may rest at a suitable sleeping location for their weekly rest at the expense of the employer
- Drivers may return home at least once every 4 weeks.
Transport within another EU country (cabotage)
Do you pick up cargo in another EU country and do you deliver that cargo in that same country? That is considered cabotage. You can do a limited number of cabotage trips, because this competes with carriers in that country. A vehicle can do 3 cabotage trips in a row. After that, the vehicle has to leave the country. After the last cabotage trip, the vehicle cannot make cabotage trips in that country for 4 days.
False self-employment is a situation in which you accept an assignment as a self-employed professional, while you are actually an employee. Check if you are in false self-employment. If you are not an employee, you do not need to do anything. You can do the assignment as a self-employed professional.
Apply for a subsidy for electric driving
Looking to buy an electric truck? You may be able to make use of subsidies and tax breaks for electric driving. Check the Netherlands Enterprise Agency's subsidy overview to see if there is a scheme that suits your sustainable transport plans.