Requesting an annual exemption

Check the dimensions and the conditions

• Your load is indivisible and you cannot transport the load within the legally stipulated dimensions (only available in Dutch). This means either that your transport is too large or too heavy, or
• You have a towed or driven unit with 'dimensions beyond the legal limits'.
• Your transport is within the following dimensions:

• Length ≤ 27.50 m
• Length ≤ 3.50 m
• Height ≤ 4.25 m
• Mass ≤ 100,000 kg
• Axle loads ≤ 10,000 kg for normal axles
• Axle loads ≤ 12,000 kg for swing axles

If your transport is larger or heavier, ask for a short term permit. 

We issue the following types of annual exemptions – our ‘products’:

• Indivisible load (tractor unit + semi-trailer or truck + trailer)
• Towed unit (trailer or semi-trailer)
• Self-driving vehicle
• Ballast or crane parts behind a crane (trailer)
• Ballast or crane parts (semi-trailer)
• Flat-rack or open-top loading structure (semi-trailer)
• High cube container (tractor unit + semi-trailer)
• Commercial vehicle with a high cab (tractor unit + semi-trailer or truck + trailer)
• Self-supporting load (steered dolly)
• Fairground vehicle (trailer or semi-trailer)
• We issue the type of exemption (the ‘product’) for a single licence plate. The exemption applies to the specific vehicle combination you create using that licence plate. You pay for each licence plate. 

Tip

You can sometimes use a single exemption for other combinations. If you have an exemption for an ‘indivisible load’ using the vehicle registration of one semi-trailer, for example, you may also use other towing vehicles on the road as long as the dimensions of the combination are the same as those stated in the exemption.

Note

You will need a different type of annual exemption for any other type of transport. For example, you cannot transport a high cube container or flat-rack structure with an exemption for an ‘indivisible cargo’, even if you stay within the dimensions of the exemption. You are then transporting a ‘standardised loading structure’. That is an incorrect use of an annual exemption for indivisible cargo and you will be risking a substantial fine. 

What you need

• Make sure that you have a customer number for exemptions AND the Crosweb certificate for applying for exemptions online. Read: 'Creating an account for exemptions'.
• If it is for transport that weighs over 50,000 kg, your vehicle must be appropriate for it. Read: 'Demonstrating that your vehicle can handle the extra weight'.
• If it is a modular vehicle, i.e. one that is made up of parts that each have their own VIN, you will need a SERT document. Your manufacturer applies to us for that. You will need the SERT number for the request.
• If it is not a Dutch-registered vehicle, get a registration for it .
  
  

If you have received the Crosweb certificate, you can request the exemption online using the RDW’s Crosweb application.

 Benefits of an online request

• You will receive your exemption much more quickly, sometimes even on the same day.
• You can view the status of your application, as well as your previous applications.
• You can apply for a maximum of 20 exemptions (for 20 licence plates) in a single application for each type of exemption.

This is how it works 

1. You log in with your certificate using the ‘Apply for exemption online’ button. Your customer number will be filled in automatically.
2. Choose the transport for which you are requesting an exemption (‘the ‘product’). Select the vehicle. Enter the following:
   • Licence plate (for a Dutch-registered vehicle)
   • VIN (for a vehicle with a foreign registration)
   • SERT number (for a modular vehicle; no licence plate or VIN number needed)
3. Once you have entered everything correctly, we can review your vehicle details. You will receive our decision by e-mail, often on the same day.
4. Along with the exemption, you get an invoice (or preliminary invoice) for that licence number. This is only for information. At the end of the month, you will receive a summary account covering all your requests for that month.
5. You now have an exemption for exceptional transport. There are obligations in this case. Read: 'Before you start driving'.

Requesting an exemption online is the easier way. It can also be done using a form, although there are disadvantages.   

Disadvantages of requests using the form

• It takes a lot longer before you receive your exemption.
• You cannot view the history or status of your request yourself.
• You can apply for a maximum of 8 exemptions (for 8 licence plates) in a single application for each type of exemption ('product').

This is how it works

1.  Download the Application for a long term exemption. Use the Explanatory notes to the annual exemption request when completing the form.
2. Enter your customer number.
3. Choose the transport for which you are requesting an exemption (‘the ‘product’). Select the vehicle. Enter the licence number or VIN of the selected vehicle.
4. Send the form in to [email protected].
5. If you have entered everything properly, we will assess your vehicle details. You will then receive our decision by e-mail, often within 2 days.
6. Along with the exemption, you will receive an invoice (or preliminary invoice) for that licence number. This is only for information. At the end of the month, you will receive a summary account covering all your requests for that month.
7. You now have an exemption for exceptional transport. There are obligations in this case. Read: 'Before you start driving'.

You have an annual exemption for exceptional transport. Read your exemption carefully and observe your obligations:

• You are only allowed to drive on roads that are coloured green on the Digital Road Map for Exemptions. You can see which roads these are if you enter the dimensions.
• Please note: if you see any red dots along the green-coloured route, you are not allowed to drive that route. Select a different route.
• Check beforehand whether you can genuinely take the route in practice.
• Obligations will be included in your exemption, such as informing the road authority or tunnel manager about your journey.

Hindered during the journey

Make sure nothing is in the way

Before you start driving, check the media and websites of the road authorities for news about potential restrictions on your route. For instance, check the website of the RWS (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), vanAnaarBeter.nl. If it transpires that you will not have a clear run, plan your transport at another time or on a different day within the validity period of your exemption.

Hindered during the journey nevertheless

If you encounter an obstacle during your journey that you did not expect, call Verkeerscentrum Nederland (the national traffic centre) to discuss it: +31(0)88-795350.

Annual exemption for each licence plate, valid for max. 1 year: €155.00

If you have an annual exemption and your transport falls into these categories:

• transport between 80,000 kg and 100,000 kg, and
• the distance between the front axle of your towing vehicle and the rear axle of the towed vehicle is less than or equal to 22 metres

then additional requirements apply to your transport on some important bridges and in some viaducts in the Rotterdam port area.

Caption: Heart-to-heart distance between the front and rear axles of the transport.

Extra requirements

• You arrange for 2 transport escorts.
• These escorts will ensure that there is no other traffic in the same direction of travel on the viaduct.
• On viaduct sections with 3 or more lanes, do not use the far left or right lanes: drive in the middle between the crash barriers.

Note:

The requirements also apply on the slip roads onto and off the viaducts.

Viaducts for which additional requirements apply