On this page you can find a translation of the 15 frequently asked questions and answers in Dutch that we have published on our webpage 'Veelgestelde vragen'. If you have any other questions for us you can send an e-mail to:

vrachtwagenheffing@minienw.nl
vrachtagen en weilanden

Frequently asked questions

1) What is a heavy goods vehicle charge?

Dutch and foreign trucks will pay to use Dutch roads on a per-kilometre-driven basis. The motor vehicle tax for trucks will be reduced to the European minimum. The Eurovignette charge will be abolished and replaced by a heavy goods vehicle charge.

2) Why is the government introducing a heavy goods vehicle charge?

The more kilometres trucks drive, the higher the charge they pay. Also, the cleaner and lighter the trucks, the less they have to pay. The government believes that a distance based heavy goods vehicle charge will act as an incentive, encouraging the sector to opt for cleaner trucks and more efficient transport. The net proceeds will be invested in innovative and sustainable measures in the transport sector. The heavy goods vehicle charges will apply to all trucks above 3,5 tonnes. Therefore foreign trucks driving through the Netherlands will also pay for their journey. This is in line with the current Eurovignetsystem for vehicles above 12 tonnes, but also with distance based charging systems in Germany, Belgium and many other European countries where all trucks pay the charge, regardless of their country of registration.

3) Which European countries have already introduced a heavy goods vehicle charge?

A distance based heavy goods vehicle charge has already been introduced in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. Also Denmark is working on this.

4) What tariff will the heavy goods vehicle charge involve?

That depends on the truck’s weight and emissions. On average, it will be € 0.149 per kilometre driven. The cleaner and lighter the truck, the lower the charge. The tariff table can be found in the law

5) Which roads will be subject to the charge?

The charge will be levied on almost all motorways, and (based on research and consultations with provincial authorities, municipalities, and water boards) on various major roads and local roads. This network of roads is envisioned to minimize any attempts to avoid sections of road that are subject to the charge.

6) How will the heavy goods vehicle charge system work?

Onboard equipment in the vehicle will be used to record the number of kilometers the truck drives, and which roads it uses. The Toll service providers will be responsible for registering and collecting the heavy goods vehicle charge. They will then transfer the money they collect to the Dutch government. Click here for the English animation on the operation of the heavy goods vehicle charge (version 2022).

7) When will the heavy goods vehicle charge be introduced?

The Heavy Goods Vehicle Charge will be operational in approximately four years after adoption of the legislative proposal in the Dutch Parliament. This is a provisional planning, that will be updated when necessary. 

8) How much revenue will the heavy goods vehicle charge generate per year?

On an annual basis, it is estimated that this charge will generate around €800 million in revenue. This will be used to cover the system costs, as well as the reduction in motor vehicle taxes for heavy goods vehicles, the loss of excise duties on fuel, and the loss of the Eurovignette revenue upon ending this charge in the Netherlands. The net proceeds will be used to make the transport sector more sustainable and innovative.

9) Does the polluter pays principle also apply in this case?

Yes. The cleaner and lighter the truck, the less you have to pay per kilometre driven. The tariff charged will depend on the permitted maximum mass of the truck-trailer combination (in kilograms), and the truck’s EURO emission class (environmental classification). 

10) How will the money collected be channeled back to the transport sector?

The motor vehicle tax for trucks will be reduced and the Eurovignette charge will be abolished in the Netherlands. The net proceeds will be invested in (more) sustainable and innovative measures. To this end, a multiannual programme will be drawn up every 5 years in close consultation with the sector, in which tangible measures will be presented.

11) What will happen to the road taxes for heavy goods vehicles?

The road tax for heavy goods vehicles will be reduced as much as possible to the European minimum level, as stated in the Eurovignette directive.

12) What will happen to the Eurovignette charge?

The Eurovignette charge will be abolished in the Netherlands. The Eurovignet directive does not permit a simultaneous levying of a user charge and a distance based charge.

13) Will the charge only apply to Dutch vehicles?

No. The heavy goods vehicle charge will be charged for both Dutch and foreign trucks.

14) How will the heavy goods vehicle charge affect other toll payment schemes?

Trucks will not be charged twice for the same road segment. At the toll roads/tunnels (such as the Westerschelde tunnel, the Kil tunnel, the future Blankenburg connection, and the future ViA15 project), imposing an additional heavy goods vehicle charge would be tantamount to charging twice. Therefore, the heavy goods vehicle charge will not apply to those roads or tunnels.

15) What about the truck driver's privacy?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable here. Data will not be kept any longer than is strictly necessary in order to uphold the drivers privacy.