Apply for an exemption to access to a low emission zone

There is an environmental zone in the city centre of 's-Hertogenbosch. This environmental zone applies to trucks (vehicle category N2 and N3) that run on diesel and are heavier than 3,500 kg. In the environmental zone, these trucks must comply with emission class 6. This means that trucks that do not meet emission class 6 will not have access to the area. View the current environmental zone (map on Arcgis website). 

If your truck does not meet the environmental rules, you can apply for an exemption for the environmental zone within the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch.  

If your truck has a national exemption, you do not need to apply for a special exemption for the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch. Check whether your vehicle has a national exemption on the Environmental Zones website.  

Planning

's-Hertogenbosch follows the national regulations on environmental zones and zero-emission zones. This means that the current environmental zone will become a zero-emission zone for trucks and vans from 1 March 2025. What does apply is a transitional arrangement for existing trucks and vans. From 2030, all trucks and vans in the zero-emission zones must drive completely emission-free.  

• From 1 January 2022, the environmental zone is tightened to emission class 6;  
• From 1 March 2025, the environmental zone will be tightened to a zero-emission zone for zero-emission trucks and vans. This means that from then on, all new trucks and vans in the zero-emission zone (ZE zone) must have zero-emission propulsion.  
• A transition period does apply to existing vehicles. That period depends on the age of the tractor unit or the box truck. The age will be determined based on the registration number on 1 January 2025. 
• Trucks: Only Euro 6 rigids under 5 years old at that time and Euro 6 tractors under 8 years old at that time will have access to the ZE zone until 1 January 2030.  
• Vans: Euro 5 vans have access to the ZE zone until 1 January 2027. Euro 6 vans have access to the ZE zone until 1 January 2028.

On the RDW license plate check website, you can check which class your truck or van meets based on your license plate number.  

Types of exemptions

• A day exemption is valid until 6 a.m. the next day. If you apply for a day exemption, it is only valid from the time of payment. You can apply for a maximum of 12 exemptions per year and per licence plate.  
• Longer delivery time exemption. Have you ordered a truck with emission class 6, but it has not yet been delivered? If you can prove this, you can apply for a temporary exemption for your current truck. The waiver is valid until the new truck is delivered.  
• Hardship clause. If you can prove that the environmental zone will cause you financial problems, you can invoke the hardship clause. The municipality may decide to grant a temporary exemption if you meet certain conditions.

Further information

For more information on conditions, costs and how to apply for an exemption, contact the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch by phone or WhatsApp +31 73 615 51 55 or send an e-mail using the digital contact form.