Editorial update: 2 October 2026. The original article date is retained; the regulatory and service information below has been updated for this translation.
Many carriers ask whether vans up to 3.5 tonnes are subject to the same cabotage rules as trucks. The short answer is yes: cabotage regulations also cover lighter vehicles.
Cabotage rules for vans up to 3.5 tonnes
Since 21 May 2022, a Community licence is required for international carriage of goods for hire or reward with vehicles or vehicle combinations whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 2.5 tonnes. The threshold includes any trailer. The applicable exemptions must be checked; this is not a requirement for every vehicle below 3.5 tonnes. Operators within scope must also meet the professional, financial and good-repute requirements.
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
Cabotage rules: how many operations can you carry out, and when?
Cabotage inspections for vans
For posted drivers within Directive 2020/1057, submit the declaration through the EU road-transport portal connected to IMI, at the latest when the posting starts, and keep it up to date. A declaration covers a driver, a host country and the declared period; it is not a separate notification of every individual load. Cabotage and cross-trade generally involve posting; bilateral transport and transit have exemptions. National portals such as SIPSI or MiLoG are not the notification channel for EU operators within this directive.
Discuss the route, load and documentation with AMG-Trans before departure. Checking the sequence of operations, mass limits, posting and driving-time obligations helps reduce compliance risks. An enquiry form or planning tool supports this work; it does not replace the carrier’s assessment or guarantee that an inspection will find no infringement.
Required documents
During a cabotage operation with a van, the driver must present documents confirming that the transport is lawful, including:
Keep evidence of the preceding international carriage and every cabotage operation, a certified copy of the Community licence where required, and the driver’s and vehicle’s documents. For operations within scope, also provide the posting declaration and tachograph records. The actual obligations depend on the vehicle, employment relationship and operation, not just the country’s minimum-wage system.
Missing documents may lead to a fine or a prohibition on continuing the journey until the formalities are completed. For more information, see Documents you need when carrying out cabotage with vans.
Consequences of infringements
Cabotage infringements can lead to fines, immobilisation or other enforcement measures. The amount and liable party depend on the country, the precise infringement and the applicable procedure. Serious or repeated infringements may also affect the operator’s good repute. A country’s maximum penalty is not a standard fine for every cabotage error, and compliance cannot be guaranteed solely by a planning tool.
What are the consequences of illegal cabotage with a van? (PL)
Lawful transport with AMG-Trans
Discuss the route, load and documentation with AMG-Trans before departure. Checking the sequence of operations, mass limits, posting and driving-time obligations helps reduce compliance risks. An enquiry form or planning tool supports this work; it does not replace the carrier’s assessment or guarantee that an inspection will find no infringement.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a van up to 3.5 tonnes legally carry out cabotage?
Since 21 May 2022, a Community licence is required for international carriage of goods for hire or reward with vehicles or vehicle combinations whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 2.5 tonnes. The threshold includes any trailer. The applicable exemptions must be checked; this is not a requirement for every vehicle below 3.5 tonnes. Operators within scope must also meet the professional, financial and good-repute requirements.
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
Does a van have to comply with cabotage operation limits?
After all goods from the incoming international carriage have been unloaded, the same motor vehicle may perform up to 3 cabotage operations within 7 days. In another Member State entered empty, the limit is one operation within 3 days of entry, also within that overall 7-day window and the total of three operations. Cabotage can start on the international unloading day; the 7-day deadline is counted from the following day. The separate 4-day cooling-off rule must also be met.
The 4-day cooling-off period applies to the same motor vehicle in the same Member State after a cabotage period. Count from 00:00 on the day after the last cabotage unloading, not from the time of crossing the border. The deadline calculation must also account for weekends and public holidays under Regulation 1182/71. During the break, international transport, transit or remaining in that country is possible; a new cabotage period requires the break to have ended and a qualifying incoming international carriage.
What documents are required for cabotage with a van?
Keep evidence of the preceding international carriage and every cabotage operation, a certified copy of the Community licence where required, and the driver’s and vehicle’s documents. For operations within scope, also provide the posting declaration and tachograph records. The actual obligations depend on the vehicle, employment relationship and operation, not just the country’s minimum-wage system.
Does a van have to have a tachograph?
Since 1 July 2026, EU driving-time, break and rest rules and the smart tachograph version 2 requirement apply to goods vehicles or combinations exceeding 2.5 tonnes used in international transport or cabotage. Vehicles above 3.5 tonnes were already within scope. Exceptions remain, including certain own-account operations with combinations above 2.5 and up to 3.5 tonnes where driving is not the driver’s main activity. Check the vehicle, operation and exemption together.
Which EU countries particularly enforce cabotage rules for vans?
In Germany, the responsible federal authority is BALM, the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility, formerly BAG. It and the police may check market-access, vehicle and driver documents. Whether a penalty or another measure follows depends on the actual infringement and the applicable procedure.
Sources checked for this update: EU · 1072/2009 · EU · 2020/1055 · EU · 561/2006 · EU · IMI