New regulations redefining weight limits for industrial vehicles will come into force in France on 1 October 2025, linking these limits to the engine’s environmental classification and the vehicle’s registration date. According to the decree issued on 29 July 2021, only Euro VI trucks or those in a higher category registered after 1 January 2014 will be authorised to circulate in France with a gross weight of up to 44 tonnes. All other vehicles, including those engaged in cabotage operations, will be required to comply with the 40-tonne limit. No exemptions are foreseen for Euro V or lower-class vehicles, which will consequently see their operational capacity reduced on French territory. For international transport, the limit remains set at 40 tonnes regardless of the Euro class or year of registration.
This legislative decision is part of broader French and European environmental policies that are firmly focused on promoting the use of cleaner and more technologically advanced vehicles. The practical consequences for haulage companies are immediate. Operators wishing to work in France at maximum capacity, whether for domestic activities or cabotage services, will need to have vehicles that meet the new standards. Without the necessary upgrades, companies face significant operational restrictions and potential penalties.
