trans.info — 2026-08-31
Land transportation
The September changes cover several areas, including liability for infringements, vehicle weights, weekend travel planning and customs procedures at the border. The common thread is clear: carriers will need to prepare routes and documentation more carefully before setting off.
Slovakia introduces a new threshold for overloading
One of the most significant changes for heavy transport will take effect in Slovakia.
From 1 September, exceeding the permitted weight or axle load by at least 10% will be treated as a serious road traffic offence.
The threshold applies to the vehicle’s maximum permitted gross weight, the authorised weight of a vehicle combination, trailer or semi-trailer, and the permitted axle load. This does not mean that overloading by less than 10% becomes legal. The new threshold determines when an infringement is classified as serious, while the existing weight and axle-load limits remain in force.
For example, if a particular vehicle combination has a permitted weight of 40 tonnes, a 10% excess equals 4 tonnes. Reaching 44 tonnes would therefore meet the threshold for a serious infringement. The same principle applies to axle loads: the relevant factor is the percentage by which the permitted limit for that specific vehicle configuration has been exceeded.
The Slovak amendment also strengthens enforcement. A police officer may retain the vehicle registration certificate, including one issued abroad, as well as the registration plate if the penalty for exceeding the permitted weight of the vehicle, combination or trailer, or for exceeding the axle load, is not paid at the roadside. As a result, an overload inspection could lead not only to a financial penalty but also to the vehicle being prevented from continuing in normal operation until the matter is settled.
Speeding fines to rise in Slovakia
The highest speeding penalties will also increase from 1 September. The change concerns drivers travelling more than 50 km/h above the limit in a built-up area or more than 60 km/h above the limit outside a built-up area.
Under administrative proceedings, the fine will rise from the current €500–€1,000 to €800–€1,300. For an on-the-spot penalty, the range will increase from €250–€800 to €500–€1,000.
Slovakia to shorten lorry bans and classify breaches as serious offences
Slovakia is also changing its weekend and public-holiday restrictions on heavy goods vehicles. The ban will continue to cover vehicles with a maximum permitted gross weight above 7.5 tonnes, as well as motor vehicles with a maximum permitted gross weight above 3.5 tonnes towing a trailer or semi-trailer.
On Sundays and the final day of a public-holiday period, the restriction will apply from 06:00 to 22:00, rather than starting at midnight as it does now. This will give drivers a six-hour window to travel before the Sunday restriction begins. At the same time, breaching the ban with one of the covered vehicle categories will be added to the list of serious road traffic offences.
The list of exemptions will also be expanded. It will include vehicles used for regular municipal waste collection, deliveries to continuously operating production facilities and vehicles returning to Slovakia to complete their journey.
Slovakia to extend vehicle owners’ liability for road offences
Slovakia is extending vehicle owners’ liability for offences detected without stopping the driver. From September, the rules will cover, among other things, failing to keep the required distance from the vehicle ahead, using a phone or similar device while driving, and a front-seat occupant travelling without a fastened seat belt.
The fixed penalties under this procedure are:
€99 for failing to maintain the required distance.
€249 for using a phone or similar device while driving.
€78 when a front-seat occupant is not wearing a seat belt.
The authorities will also have more ways to detect offences without stopping the vehicle. In addition to police equipment, devices operated by motorway and road authorities, as well as by the railway infrastructure manager, may be used, provided the data are processed in line with the statutory procedure.
Temporary Dutch road toll reduction starts on 1 September
The Dutch road-charging system will also change in September. From 1 September to 31 December 2026, lorry toll rates will be temporarily reduced. The measure was introduced in response to higher fuel costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
For a Euro 6 diesel lorry with a technically permissible maximum gross weight above 32 tonnes, the rate from September will be €0.156 per kilometre. For an electric lorry in the same weight category, the charge will be €0.030 per kilometre. The reduction is temporary.
Dutch toll rates expected to rise sharply in January
From 1 January 2027, the standard Dutch rates are expected to increase by 2.6% in line with inflation. The September discount will end at the same time. This means the change between December 2026 and January 2027 will be considerably larger than the indexation alone would suggest. For the Euro 6 diesel lorry above 32 tonnes mentioned earlier, the rate is expected to rise from €0.156 to €0.206 per kilometre, an increase of about 32%.
For 10,000 chargeable kilometres, the cost would rise from €1,560 to €2,060, a difference of €500. For an electric lorry in the same weight category, the rate is expected to increase from €0.030 to €0.040 per kilometre.
The 2027 rates remain proposals. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is expected to publish them officially in September.
Digitoll to become mandatory in Norway on 15 September
Carriers entering Norway face another important change. From 15 September 2026, Digitoll will be mandatory. The system requires transport and cargo information to be reported digitally before arrival.
Before the vehicle reaches the border, carriers must submit electronic information about:
In practice, cargo and transport information is often submitted by different parties, such as a freight forwarder and a carrier. Norwegian Customs requires both data sets to be correctly linked before the lorry reaches the border. If they are not linked, customs clearance may be delayed or become more difficult.
Digitoll to operate alongside existing systems
The new requirement will not replace the procedures already in place. Digitoll will operate alongside TVINN and NCTS. Customs declarations will continue to be submitted through TVINN, while transit declarations will be handled through NCTS.
Digitoll adds another reporting layer covering transport and shipment data. At the Svinesund and Ørje crossings, ANPR cameras identify lorries, while road signs indicate whether the driver can continue or must report to the customs office.
The long-term aim is to allow correctly reported shipments to cross the border more smoothly, without unnecessary stops.
Further Norwegian changes scheduled for March 2027
The mandatory reporting requirement introduced in September is only the first stage. From 1 March 2027, declarations must be submitted no later than when the vehicle crosses the border. On the same date, Norway’s direct transport system will end. That system allowed goods to be delivered to the consignee while some formalities were completed later.
Companies using Digitoll must be registered in Norway’s Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities and hold either a Norwegian organisation number or a NUF number. Declarations can be submitted through the company’s own systems via API integration or through a customs representative.