Truck speed limits in Europe by country: a quick guide

Truck speed limits in Europe by country converge on one rule: HGVs over 3.5 tonnes are capped at 80 km/h on motorways in most EU states. Portugal, Spain, and France allow 90 km/h, Italy permits 100 km/h for lighter vehicles, and rural limits fall lower — check the Logifie speed-limit tool before departure.

What is the standard truck speed limit on European motorways?

For most EU member states, 80 km/h is the ceiling for trucks over 3.5 tonnes on motorways. The European Commission's road safety data confirms this as the dominant national standard — Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Ireland all apply 80 km/h on motorways.

Under EU Directive 92/24/EEC, HGVs over 3.5 tonnes must carry a speed limiter capped at 90 km/h. That is a physical ceiling, not a permission to drive at 90 km/h where a lower sign applies. The limiter and posted limit are separate obligations; the lower one governs — see Eurowag's guide to EU truck rules . The Germany speed-limit page shows a worked country example.

Which European countries have different HGV speed limits from the 80 km/h norm?

Several countries diverge in ways that create real compliance exposure on cross-border routes.

*Italy applies 100 km/h only to goods vehicles of 3.5 to 12 tonnes; combinations over 12 tonnes are limited to 80 km/h on motorways. Rural and open-road limits can fall further for the heaviest vehicles and trucks with trailers — check your sub-class on the Logifie speed-limit tool .

Portugal, Spain, and France all allow 90 km/h on motorways — close to the mechanical limiter maximum — so heavy trucks run near their physical ceiling. Italy posts 100 km/h for lighter goods vehicles of 3.5 to 12 tonnes, though the speed limiter still caps the vehicle at 90 km/h. According to DHL Freight's 39-country speed table , at least a dozen European countries set lower limits on rural or express roads than on motorways, so per-road-type checking is essential.

How are truck speed limits enforced on cross-border routes?

Enforcement is strengthening. The revised Cross-Border Enforcement Directive, agreed in 2024, expands the EUCARIS vehicle-registration system to streamline fine transfer across member states (transposition deadline approximately mid-2027). France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany already pursue foreign-plate violations: a speed camera fine in France can reach a Polish operator at home.

Roadside checks also cover the speed limiter itself. A tampered limiter triggers a separate fine — sometimes immediate vehicle detention — on top of any speeding penalty. Treat the posted limit and limiter compliance as two distinct obligations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the speed limit for trucks on German motorways?

Trucks over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 80 km/h on all German motorways, including Autobahn sections where cars face no speed cap. The rule applies to both rigid trucks and articulated combinations alike.

Do speed limiters replace posted speed limits for trucks in the EU?

No — they are separate obligations. EU Directive 92/24/EEC requires HGV speed limiters capped at 90 km/h, which sets a physical ceiling. Where the national posted limit is lower (Germany: 80 km/h), the driver must still respect that lower sign. The limiter does not grant permission to drive at 90 km/h everywhere.

What happens if a truck exceeds the speed limit in a foreign EU country?

Under the EU Cross-Border Enforcement Directive, a fine issued in one member state can be transferred to the operator's home country via the EUCARIS registration system. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands already pursue foreign-registered vehicles, sending penalty notices with the same legal force as a domestic fine.

Are there different speed limits for trucks with trailers in Europe?

Yes. Many countries set lower limits for the heaviest combinations and for trucks pulling trailers. In Italy, combinations over 12 tonnes are limited to 80 km/h on motorways rather than the 100 km/h that applies to lighter goods vehicles. In several northern European countries, a truck with a trailer is held to a lower ceiling than a rigid truck on the same motorway. Verify the sub-class limit for your combination before any cross-border run.

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