Lang-LKW Informationserteilung

Long trucks have been allowed to drive on certain roads in Germany for an unlimited period since January 1, 2017. The conditions for this have been legally regulated by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

According to this, certain requirements apply to drivers and vehicles.

The requirements for drivers are:

• five years' uninterrupted possession of the CE driving license,

• five years' proven professional experience in commercial road haulage or own-account transport,

• completed instruction course.

The vehicle requirements are:

• The length of long trucks must not exceed 25.25 m, depending on the type of vehicle or vehicle combination.

• The transport of liquid bulk goods in large tanks, hazardous goods, live animals or free-swinging fixed goods, which affect the driving stability due to their mass, with a long truck is prohibited.

• The long trucks are allowed to drive only on suitable roads notified by the countries (so-called positive network).

• The total mass may not exceed 40 tons or 44 tons in combined transport on journeys from or to transhipment facilities to rail or waterways

The positive network is updated and extended by the responsible federal ministry. Currently, the positive network has a length of almost 11,600 kilometers.

Long trucks are often incorrectly referred to as "gigaliners." The latter are sometimes used abroad, but have a higher weight of up to 60 tons. This is not permitted in Germany.

There are additional rules for two types of long trucks:

• The so-called extended semitrailer (articulated vehicle up to an overall length of 17.80 meters) may initially be used for another seven years.
• Long trucks of the so-called type 2 (semitrailer with central axle trailer up to an overall length of 25.25 meters) may be used for a limited period for another year.

Long trucks have been allowed to drive on certain roads in Germany for an unlimited period since January 1, 2017. The conditions for this have been legally regulated by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.