From 1 October 2025, industrial vehicles equipped with Euro 5 engines will no longer be permitted to exceed a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 40 tonnes. From that date, only 44-tonne trucks that meet the Euro 6 emission standard (or higher) or those registered after 1 January 2014 will be allowed on French roads, as per the French decree of 29 July 2021.
Transport using 44-tonne vehicles registered after 1 October 2009 and meeting the Euro 5 emission standard will still be permitted, but only until 30 September 2025.
The penalties for non-compliance have yet to be finalised. However, current fines for violating road traffic restrictions are €3,750 for companies and €750 for drivers.
These new rules apply exclusively to national road transport. France increased the total permissible weight for industrial vehicles to 44 tonnes in 2013 but mandated the adoption of a fifth axle for articulated vehicles exceeding 40 tonnes.