Dutch authorities say the rules will apply equally to domestic fleets and international hauliers. Enforcement of toll payments will include the option to stop vehicles with outstanding amounts and keep them off the road until payment is made.
In recent months, the Netherlands has been preparing the market for a distance-based toll for N2 and N3 trucks. Charges will be calculated per kilometre, based on data recorded by an on-board unit (OBU).
The OBU must stay switched on throughout
Oversight of the system sits with RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority. RDW stresses that the OBU must remain active for the entire time the truck is in the Netherlands — including when driving on roads that are not subject to the toll.
Operators will be expected to:
- have a contract with an approved system provider,
- use a properly functioning OBU,
- link the device to the correct registration number,
- report faults and replace defective units within three hours.
RDW also warns that some carriers assume exemptions used elsewhere will automatically be accepted in the Netherlands. That is not the case, and breaching Dutch requirements can lead to a fine.
Fines can reach 800 euro
The control framework will go live at the same time as the tolling scheme, on 1 July 2026. For the first six months, penalties will be lower, but they will rise sharply from the start of 2027.
The highest penalty applies to operating without an agreement with a tolling system provider. The fine is set at 800 euro, although it will be reduced to 400 euro until the end of 2026.
Driving with an OBU that is switched off, not working, or assigned to a different vehicle will be penalised at 500 euro, reduced to 250 euro until 1 January 2027.
Dutch rules also state that only one administrative penalty can be imposed per vehicle within a 24-hour period. If several breaches are detected at the same time, authorities will apply the highest applicable sanction.
Foreign hauliers will be checked too
The enforcement set-up is designed to cover both Dutch operators and international carriers. Checks will be carried out using gantries equipped with ANPR cameras and DSRC technology, as well as mobile roadside inspection units.
If authorities cannot identify the vehicle owner or a fine remains unpaid, the truck’s registration number can be added to a dedicated alert list. The vehicle may then be stopped by ILT inspectors during a roadside check.
A document prepared by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management indicates that drivers will be required to pay the fine on the spot. If payment is refused or not possible, inspectors will be able to use temporary measures — including immobilising the vehicle.
Cross-border data sharing to support enforcement
The Netherlands also plans close international cooperation to collect penalties. For operators from European Union countries, Dutch services will be able to obtain vehicle owner details from foreign registers via the EUCARIS system.
Where owner data is available, fines are intended to be sent by post to addresses outside the Netherlands as well. After two payment requests, the case may be escalated for further collection or the vehicle may be placed on the roadside-check list.
According to the authorities, the new rules are intended to create a level playing field between operators and reduce toll avoidance in international road transport.
In Europe, truck tolls are already a major cost driver for hauliers, and the Dutch scheme adds another national layer operators will need to factor into pricing and compliance.
