In 2026, something fundamental will change for anyone involved in car transport through the Netherlands: the truck toll will come into force. In this article, we explain exactly what it entails and what it could mean for your operations.
General terms: truck toll
Starting in 2026, the Dutch government will introduce a toll system based on kilometres driven by trucks on major roads and selected provincial routes. The aim: a fairer model for infrastructure use and an incentive towards cleaner, more efficient transport.
For international car transporters whose journeys often start or end in the Netherlands, but extend across Europe, this means that foreign trips may also be affected. Not only financially, but also operationally.
What does the truck toll mean in practice?
From 1 January 2026, a truck toll will apply in the Netherlands to all vehicles with a maximum permitted weight of over 3,500 kilograms, including those operated by foreign hauliers. The system follows the principle of ‘the user pays’, and will partly replace the current Motor Vehicle Tax (MRB) and Heavy Vehicle Tax (BZM).
In practice:
- Cost per kilometre: estimated between €0.12 and €0.20, depending on vehicle type, weight, Euro class, and route driven.
- Payment system: the toll will be collected automatically via an On Board Unit (OBU) that uses GPS to record driven kilometres. This data will be linked to a European interoperable system, similar to those already in place in Germany and Belgium.
- Where does it apply? The toll will apply to most of the main road network, plus selected provincial roads. The exact road list is still to be confirmed.
Important: this toll also applies to transit journeys, even if no loading or unloading takes place within the Netherlands.
To give you an idea: a fully loaded 8-car transporter (tractor + trailer + 8 vehicles) typically weighs between 25 and 33 tonnes. A smaller combination, such as an Iveco with trailer carrying 2 to 3 cars, weighs around 5.5 to 10 tonnes. Well above the 3.5-tonne threshold.
What will change for our customers?
As of now (June 2025): nothing changes immediately. But we believe that trust starts with transparency. The truck toll won’t affect our sector tomorrow, but it will the day after. That’s why we choose to communicate about it today.
All our transport operations will continue as planned. Behind the scenes, however, we’re actively preparing to ensure we’re not caught off guard when the changes take effect.
We do expect transport within the Netherlands to become more expensive over time. The proposed toll rates are relatively high, especially for older and heavier diesel trucks. Most of our transport partners do not yet operate fully electric trucks, which limits the ability to benefit from reduced rates for cleaner vehicles. While the reduction or elimination of existing road taxes (MRB and BZM) may partially offset the new costs, the net result could still be a price increase.
This may make domestic transport in the Netherlands less attractive for certain types of shipments. That’s something we’re keeping a close eye on. At the same time, we’re actively looking for ways to keep the impact for our customers as minimal as possible.
We’ll keep you informed, not in 2026, as soon as we know more.
