From 1 July 2026, the new Dutch truck toll will apply not only to HGVs but also to vans with a technical maximum mass above 3.5 tonnes, even if they are registered abroad and driven on a B-licence.
The Netherlands will introduce a kilometre-based truck toll system in mid-2026. While mainly aimed at HGVs, the scheme also covers vans that were originally built with a technical weight of over 3.5 tonnes. Many of these vehicles were administratively downrated to 3,500 kg so they can be used with a standard driving licence, but their technical weight still places them in the truck category.
The legislation is clear: the toll is based on technical maximum mass, not the lower administrative limit. Thus, any van with an F1 value above 3,500 kg is treated as a truck for toll purposes.
Foreign vans will pay the toll too
Foreign operators are fully included in the rules. Any foreign-registered van built for more than 3.5 tonnes will have to pay the toll when entering the Netherlands. Operators must install a compatible on-board unit before using Dutch tolled roads, and there are no exemptions for foreign vehicles.
This applies particularly to larger panel vans, box vans with tail lifts, and vehicles commonly used in removals, rental fleets or cross-border deliveries. For many fleets, these are everyday working vehicles — but in the Netherlands they will be charged like trucks.
The toll may significantly increase running costs
Initial tariffs indicate that a Euro VI vehicle in the 3.5–12-tonne band will pay around €0.110 per kilometre. For a van covering 50,000 kilometres on Dutch motorways each year, this could amount to over €5,500. Even occasional cross-border trips will incur noticeable costs.
Drivers and fleet managers should therefore assess how often these vehicles operate in the Netherlands and plan accordingly.
Additional regulatory changes coming in 2026
From the same date, vans over 2.5 tonnes used in international transport will require a smart tachograph version 2. Drivers must comply with driving-time and rest-time rules in the same way as truck drivers.
At the same time, several Dutch cities will tighten access rules through new zero-emission zones, limiting the use of diesel vans in certain areas. Vehicles affected by the toll may also be impacted by these restrictions.
What operators should check now
Foreign fleets should review their vehicles as soon as possible. The most important step is confirming whether a van has a technical maximum mass above 3.5 tonnes. If so, it will be treated as a truck from July 2026 in the Netherlands. Operators should also prepare for OBU installation, consider additional costs on Dutch routes, and adapt their planning accordingly.
Q&A: What foreign hauliers and drivers need to know
Does the toll apply to foreign vans?
Yes. Any van with a technical maximum mass above 3.5 tonnes must pay the Dutch toll, no matter where it is registered.
How do I know if my van is affected?
Check the registration document for the F1 value.
- F1 ≤ 3,500 kg → no toll
- F1 > 3,500 kg → toll applies
This is the technical weight, not the downrated one.
What if my van is limited to 3,500 kg on paper?
That does not matter. The Dutch system uses the technical figure.
If the van was originally built for more than 3.5 tonnes, it counts as a truck.
Do I need to install an on-board unit?
Yes. Foreign vehicles need an approved OBU before entering Dutch tolled roads.
How much will I pay?
Indicative rate: around €0.110 per km for a standard diesel in the 3.5–12-tonne band.
Actual costs depend on how many kilometres you drive in the Netherlands.
Will I need a tachograph too?
If you operate a van over 2.5 tonnes in international freight or cabotage, you must use a smart tachograph 2 from July 2026.
Can I re-register the van as 3.5 tonnes to avoid the toll?
In most cases, no. Reclassification is complex, costly and often technically impossible. Only the factory technical mass counts.
Does this affect access to Dutch cities?
Some cities will expand zero-emission zones. Diesel vans — including those covered by the toll — may be restricted in the coming years.
What should I do now?
Check your vehicle’s technical mass, discuss OBU requirements with your fleet manager, and review your routes into the Netherlands to understand the cost impact.
