Oversize load permit in the Netherlands (2026): authority, thresholds, fees

Key facts

Issuing authority

RDW issues ontheffingen (exemptions) for exceptioneel transport throughout the Netherlands. For routes on which RDW cannot decide itself, it asks the road authorities (Rijkswaterstaat, provinces, municipalities, waterschappen) for an opinion — hence the surcharge 'afdracht per wegbeheerder'. Address: RDW, Postbus 777, 2700 AT Zoetermeer; tel. +31 (0)88 008 7447. Verkeerscentrum Nederland (disruptions during the journey): +31 (0)88 79 53 50. [Z1]

Application channel

Crosweb (RDW application) + Digitale Wegenkaart Ontheffingen (DWO) for planning the route and submitting the application for an incidentele ontheffing; alternatively a PDF/DOCX form sent by e-mail [Z3]

Login / access: RDW klantnummer + Crosweb-certificaat (certificate on a USB stick sent by post within 5 working days, PIN separately by post; valid 2 years; issued to an organisation, can be installed on multiple computers and for multiple users). An application by e-mail form requires only the klantnummer.

Thresholds above which a permit is needed

Values for a typical combination: tractor unit with semi-trailer or rigid vehicle with trailer, 5 axles, standard width.

Values for transport of an indivisible load without an ontheffing according to the RDW overview (Regeling voertuigen chapter 5): tractor unit + semi-trailer up to 22.00 m, motor vehicle + trailer 18.75 m, width up to 3.00 m (provided this results from the load), height 4.00 m, rear load overhang up to 5.00 m from the rear axle and ≤ 0.5 × HKAZ of the semi-trailer, front 4.30 m from the first axle. Gross combination weight (GTW) 50 000 kg; working vehicle 60 000 kg. Axle loads: single axle 10 000 kg, drive axle 11 500 kg; pendulum axle (pendelas) with indivisible load 16 000 kg per axle line. For divisible loads/standard: width 2.55 m (refrigerated 2.60 m), tractor unit + semi-trailer 16.50 m. A vehicle > 50 000 kg or a modular vehicle requires an attest or a SERT document. Note: RDW states that 'no rights can be derived' from the overview — the published Regeling voertuigen is binding. [Z6]

Permit types

Processing time

Incidentele ontheffing (Z1): when RDW decides on the entire route — „binnen 2 dagen”; when opinions of road authorities are needed — „95% van de ontheffingen geven wij binnen 14 dagen af”, longer for larger dimensions/weight, additional requirements of the road authority or many sections. RDW writes „dagen” (days), not „werkdagen” (working days). Jaarontheffing (Z2): decision by e-mail „binnen 2 werkdagen” (2 working days); online often the same day. Account set-up: klantnummer up to 2 working days, Crosweb certificate up to 5 working days (Z3); registration of a foreign vehicle up to 5 working days (Z4). [Z1]

Fees

Escort

Private escort vehicle

Escort by recognised private escorts (erkende particuliere transportbegeleiders), own or hired. Motorways: width 4.01–4.50 m → 1 escort (travel 10–15 and 20–06), 4.51–5.00 m → 2 (20–06), > 5.00 m → 2 (22–06); length 40.01–50.00 m → 1, > 50.00 m → 2; weight > 100 000 kg → 2; special manoeuvres → 2 at the place of the manoeuvre. Other network (N roads): width 3.51–4.00 m → 1, 4.01–5.00 m → 2, > 5.00 m → 2 (22–06); length 27.51–32.00 m → 1, > 32.00 m → 2; weight > 100 000 kg → 2. Weekend: decided by the road authority's opinion. More escorts than required by law — only with RDW consent (indicate in the application), otherwise a penalty. [Z5]

Police escort

RDW issues 'ontheffing op verzoek van de politie' (fee 315 EUR); thresholds for a mandatory police escort were not confirmed in the sources read. [Z5]

Some details are not confirmed in the official sources read.

Required documents

• RDW klantnummer (always) and Crosweb certificate (for an online application) [Z3]
• Drawing of the combination with load — form 'tekening lading' (RDW PDF) [Z1]
• Registration number (NL vehicle), VIN (foreign vehicle, after one-time registration with RDW with a copy of the registration certificate / CoC) or SERT number (modular vehicle) [Z4]
• Route-onderzoek (route survey: description, map, photos of obstacles, how they are overcome, number of escorts, duration of disruption, contacts with road authorities) — mandatory at height > 4.40 m, recommended for every incidentele ontheffing [Z1]
• Attest or SERT document — at weight > 50 000 kg or for a modular vehicle [Z2]
• Application by form: 'Aanvraagformulier incidentele ontheffing' + 'Bijlage', or 'Aanvraag jaarontheffing' (DOCX) with 'Toelichting' [Z1]

Traffic restrictions

Time windows depending on dimensions (see escort): e.g. on motorways width 4.01–4.50 m only 10:00–15:00 and 20:00–06:00, > 5.00 m only 22:00–06:00; travel on Saturday/Sunday is decided by the road authority's opinion. Transport wider than 3.50 m (incidentele ontheffing): max. 24 h before the journey, check restrictions on the route in DWO ('route afstemmen'). Jaarontheffing: travel only on green roads in DWO, without red points. Route changes are prohibited under an incidentele ontheffing. Additional requirements in the port of Rotterdam for 80 000–100 000 kg with axle spacing ≤ 22 m (2 escorts, middle lane on designated viaducts). [Z5]

Official sources

1. [Z1] RDW — 'Aanvragen incidentele ontheffing': validity 4 weeks (optionally 6–12 weeks), route-onderzoek (mandatory > 4.40 m), online application via Digitale Wegenkaart Ontheffingen (DWO) + Crosweb or e-mail form, decision within 2 days when RDW decides itself, 95% within 14 days, fee table (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/zakelijke-partners/exceptioneel-transport/ontheffing-aanvragen-voor-exceptioneel-transport/aanvragen-incidentele-ontheffing
2. [Z2] RDW — 'Aanvragen jaarontheffing': validity 1 year, only green roads in DWO, limits 27.50 m / 3.50 m / 4.25 m / 100 000 kg, 10 types (producten), decision within 2 working days (online often the same day), fee 159 EUR per registration number/VIN/SERT (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/zakelijke-partners/exceptioneel-transport/ontheffing-aanvragen-voor-exceptioneel-transport/aanvragen-jaarontheffing
3. [Z3] RDW — 'Aanvragen of wijzigen account voor ontheffingen': klantnummer (2 working days) + Crosweb-certificaat on USB by post (5 working days), valid 2 years, issued to an organisation, multiple users (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/zakelijke-partners/exceptioneel-transport/uw-klantgegevens-en-voertuigen/aanvragen-of-wijzigen-account
4. [Z4] RDW — 'Registreren buitenlands voertuig': one-time online registration of a foreign vehicle by VIN (copy of the registration certificate, possibly CoC), assessment within up to 5 working days, documents in NL/DE/EN, vehicles with multiple VINs — SERT document from the manufacturer (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/zakelijke-partners/exceptioneel-transport/uw-klantgegevens-en-voertuigen/registreren-buitenlands-voertuig
5. [Z5] RDW — 'Uw rijtijden en begeleiding': escort thresholds and time windows for motorways and the other network (width, length, weight, height), recognised private escorts (VTB) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/zakelijke-partners/exceptioneel-transport/zorgen-voor-een-veilige-rit/aanhouden-rijtijden-en-regelen-begeleiding
6. [Z6] RDW Afdeling Ontheffingen — 'Overzicht maten en gewichten in Nederland' (version 2025-01, 9 pages): summary of chapter 5 of Regeling voertuigen — dimensions and weights without an ontheffing, including for indivisible loads (information document; the Regeling voertuigen is binding) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/-/media/rdwnl/documenten/ontheffingen/handleidingen/wettelijke-maten-en-gewichten-voertuigen.pdf
7. [Z7] RDW — 'Aanvragen ontheffing': types (jaarontheffing, incidentele ontheffing, LZV, specific purpose/training, agricultural vehicle) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.rdw.nl/zakelijke-partners/exceptioneel-transport/ontheffing-aanvragen-voor-exceptioneel-transport

Rules and fees change. Check the official source before you file an application.