The Dutch truck toll has come into effect. From now on, Dutch and foreign trucks will pay per kilometre driven for using the road network in the Netherlands. The truck toll applies to almost all Dutch motorways and to a number of provincial and municipal roads. At the same time, the Eurovignette has been abolished in the Netherlands and fixed charges for trucks have been reduced. The toll is recorded using a working onboard unit (OBU), which must be linked to a contract with a toll service provider.
Minister Karremans: “Today is the day we have been working towards. After years of preparation, the Dutch truck toll is now in operation. The vast majority of the revenue generated by the truck toll will be reinvested in the road transport sector. By reinvesting these revenues in the sector, the sector can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. This not only creates a strong business case for transport operators and improves air quality by reducing CO₂ emissions, but recent developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have also shown how important it is to become less dependent on energy imports. This measure contributes to that objective as well.”
Paying per kilometre and investing in the sector
With the introduction of the truck toll, road users now pay per kilometre driven. The cleaner and lighter the vehicle, the lower the charge per kilometre. At the same time, the Eurovignette has been abolished in the Netherlands. In addition, motor vehicle tax (MRB) has been abolished for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of up to 12,000 kg. For heavier trucks, the MRB has been reduced to the European minimum level. Furthermore, these vehicles will temporarily benefit from a zero rate between 1 July 2026 and 1 January 2027.
A large proportion of the revenue generated by the truck toll will be returned to the road transport sector. These funds will support transport operators through subsidy schemes for investments in zero-emission trucks, charging infrastructure and more efficient transport.
Temporary reduction of the truck toll
A temporary 22.3% reduction will apply to the truck toll rates from 1 September 2026 until 31 December 2026. At the request of the House of Representatives, the Dutch government has introduced this temporary measure to support the road transport sector in response to the sharp increase in fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
Enforcement starts today
A working onboard unit (OBU) is mandatory for trucks in vehicle categories N2 and N3. From today, the RDW will enforce compliance with this requirement. During the first six months, the fines for non-compliance will be reduced by 50%. Truck operators who fail to meet the legal requirements may receive a fine.
More information is available at www.trucktoll.nl.
