EU directives set out the maximum dimensions for trucks. They specify the maximum width, height and length for various truck combinations weighing over 3,500 kg. But what are those dimensions?
Maximum truck width
The maximum width of a truck is 2.55 metres. Mirrors, cameras and any side marker lights or reflectors are not included. Trucks used for refrigerated transport may be slightly wider, at up to 2.60 metres. However, the walls must be at least 4.5 cm thick. Please note: this maximum width also applies to protruding loads!
Maximum truck height
The maximum height of a truck in the EU is 4 meters. Neither the tractor unit, semi-trailer nor load may exceed this height. Usually, you will stay within the limit, but the combination of your chassis with a high cube container (Standard ISO container 9’6) often exceeds the maximum height by just a few centimeters. You will then need an exemption.
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Maximum truck length
In principle, the truck or rigid truck itself may not be longer than 12 meters. Any semi-trailer or trailer may not be longer than 12 meters either. However, you cannot add these lengths together and take a total of 24 meters onto the road. The maximum length of a truck with a semi-trailer or trailer may not exceed 16.50 and 18.75 meters respectively:
Maximum length for trucks with a semi-trailer or trailer
Although the maximum length for a semi-trailer is not legally defined, the total length of a truck with a semi-trailer may not exceed 16.50 meters. The distance from the coupling to the front of the semi-trailer may not exceed 2.04 meters, and the distance between the coupling and the rear may not be more than 12 meters.
Length of combinations with a trailer
You can also drive a truck with a trailer. In that case, the maximum length is 18.75 meters. The distance from the rear of the cab to the rear of the trailer must not exceed 16.40 meters, and the distance between the rear axle of the truck and the first axle of the trailer must be at least 3 meters.
Please note: in some cases, a combination may also be longer than 18.75 meters. For example, mobile machinery with a trailer may be 20 meters long, and fairground and circus vehicles have a maximum length of 24 meters.
How far may the load protrude?
The load may not protrude beyond the maximum dimensions of a truck in either height or width. It may protrude lengthwise. In principle, a divisible load may protrude no more than 1 metre from the rear. However, the load must not protrude more than 5 metres beyond the centre of the rearmost axle, and the distance between the road surface and the load must be less than 55 centimetres. Is the load positioned higher? Then its furthest point may protrude no more than 60 centimetres (measured from the bumper).
Maximum dimensions for a truck carrying indivisible cargo
Different rules apply to indivisible loads. They may also protrude from the front, but no more than 4.30 metres in front of the centre of the front axle of the lorry or tractor.
At the rear, this load may not extend beyond half the length of the truck or trailer (measured from the centre of the rear axle). If you have a semi-trailer, indivisible cargo may not extend beyond half the distance between the centre of the coupling and the rear of the semi-trailer. For both combinations, the maximum is 5 metres.
