Lang-LKW Informationserteilung

Regular operation of long trucks (also incorrectly referred to as "gigaliners")

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

Accordingly, certain requirements apply to drivers and vehicles.

The requirements for drivers are

• Five years' uninterrupted possession of a CE driving license,
• Proof of five years' professional experience in commercial road haulage or works transport,
• Completion of an instruction course.

The requirements for the vehicle are:

• Depending on the type of vehicle or vehicle combination, the length of the long truck must not exceed 25.25 m.
• The transportation of liquid bulk goods in large tanks, hazardous goods, live animals or freely suspended goods that impair driving stability due to their mass with a long truck is prohibited.
• Long trucks may only drive on suitable roads that have been registered by the federal states (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 on rail or waterways

The positive network is updated and expanded by the responsible federal ministry. The positive network currently 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 semi-trailer (articulated vehicle up to an overall length of 17.80 meters) may initially be used for a further seven years.
• Long trucks of the so-called type 2 (articulated vehicle with central axle trailer up to an overall length of 25.25 meters) may be used for a further year for a limited period.

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