Members' Research Service By / November 16, 2023

Revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]

Trucks and buses are responsible for 28 % of road transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 34 % of road transport nitrogen oxide emissions.

© mino21 / Adobe Stock

Written by Jaan Soone (4th edition, updated on 22.10.2024).

In July 2023, the Commission tabled a package of three proposals for the greening of freight transport, including one on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, which sets limits for heavy goods vehicles in international road transport. The proposal seeks to promote the use of zero-emission trucks by allowing these to exceed standard weight limits, while clarifying the rules on the use of heavier and longer vehicles in cross-border transport operations between countries, where such vehicles are allowed. Additional objectives are to promote intermodal transport, simplify administrative procedures, and improve enforcement of the rules.

In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The TRAN committee adopted its report on the proposal on 14 February 2024 and Parliament adopted its first reading position during the March 2024 plenary session. With the new parliamentary term under way, on 7 October 2024 the TRAN committee voted to start interinstitutional negotiations.

Complete version

Directive of the European Parliament and the Council amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic
Committee responsible:Transport and Tourism (TRAN)COM(2023) 445
Rapporteur:Rosa Serrano Sierra (S&D, Spain2023/0265 (COD)
Shadow rapporteurs:Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany)
Kosma Złotowski (ECR, Poland)
Merja Kyllönen (The Left, Finland)
Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing –
formerly ‘co-decision’)
Next steps expected: Opening of trilogue negotiations


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