As a truck driver, it is important to know the speed limits. After all, you want to drive safely and avoid fines. But how fast can a truck actually go on the motorway? And why are the speed limits different from those for passenger cars? We explain it in this blog.
What is the maximum speed for a truck on the highway?
In the Netherlands, trucks are subject to a maximum speed of 80 km/h on motorways. This applies to all trucks with a permitted gross vehicle weight of more than 3,500 kg. This means that trucks are not allowed to travel at the same speeds as passenger cars—100, 120 or 130 km/h—even when the traffic signs indicate a higher speed.
Why aren't trucks allowed to drive faster than 80 km/h?
There is a good reason for the speed limit for trucks. A truck is much heavier than a passenger car and responds differently to speed. The main reasons for the speed restriction are:
- Safety: trucks are large and heavy, which means they have longer stopping distances than passenger cars. A lower speed helps prevent accidents.
- Load stability: many trucks carry heavy or delicate loads. At higher speeds, the risk of the load shifting or tipping increases, even if you always secure the truck’s load safely.
- Less wear and lower fuel consumption: a lower speed means less wear on the tyres and brakes, and helps reduce fuel consumption.
- Consistent traffic flow: having trucks travel at a constant speed of 80 km/h makes highway traffic more predictable and safer.
How is the speed of trucks monitored?
Trucks are monitored in several ways to ensure that they comply with the speed limit:
- Tachographs: every truck is equipped with a digital tachograph that records speed, driving times and rest periods. This device is regularly checked by enforcement authorities.
- Police checks: in addition to speed cameras and average-speed checks, the police carry out targeted checks to make sure drivers follow the rules.
- Speed limiters: most trucks are equipped with a limiter that prevents them from driving faster than 90 km/h.
During your truck driving licence training, you’ll learn how to use a tachograph and how to avoid accidentally exceeding the speed limit. At Nuvrachtwagen.nl, you’ll get an introduction to this in our theory course.
Are there any exceptions to the speed limit?
In the Netherlands, the 80 km/h limit applies to all trucks, whether they are empty or fully loaded. However, there are a few exceptions:
- Commercial vehicles under 3,500 kg: delivery vans and small trucks can simply follow the speed limits for passenger cars.
- Trucks with trailers: the maximum speed remains 80 km/h, but extra-long or heavy combinations may sometimes be subject to an even lower limit.
- Speed limits abroad: in some countries, trucks are allowed to drive faster. For example, the limit on motorways is 90 km/h in Belgium, Germany, France and Spain.
If you drive internationally, it is important to check the rules in each country. This prevents fines and helps ensure a safe journey.
What does this mean for you as a future truck driver?
As a truck driver, you not only have to obey the speed limit, but also need to know how to keep your vehicle stable and safe at different speeds. During your truck driving lessons, you’ll learn not only how to change gears and take bends, but also how to make the best use of the speed limiter and tachograph.
At Nuvrachtwagen.nl, we help you pass your truck theory test in one day, so you can start your driver training well prepared. During the course, we cover all the traffic rules that apply to trucks, including speed limits and tachograph use. That way, you’ll be ready to hit the road without a worry!
