Transporting a tower crane: dimensions, exemption and route

Within the legal dimensions

If every part fits within 4.00 m high and 2.55 m wide, and the combination within 16.50 m (tractor and semi-trailer) and 50,000 kg, no exemption is needed. With an indivisible load a tractor and semi-trailer may be 22.00 m long and 3.00 m wide without an exemption. See legal dimensions and weights.

Above them, an exemption

If a transport exceeds those dimensions, you need an RDW exemption: an annual exemption for the green roads in the DWO, or a one-off exemption for one route. The RDW has a separate annual exemption per type of transport; apply for the type that fits your load and vehicle.

Self-erecting crane on its own axles

If a self-erecting crane travels on its own axles behind a tractor and is registered with the RDW as a towed machine (category O4, without load), it falls under the annual exemption for a towed machine: up to 27.50 m long, 3.00 m wide, 4.00 m high and 100,000 kg, depending on the vehicle characteristics. The exemption is issued on the towed machine.

How to plan the trip

Within the legal dimensions you enter the dimensions of the transport and Truckroute avoids every sign and road section that is too tight. Above them you choose abnormal load: Truckroute then plans over the roads where the RDW can grant an exemption for those dimensions.

Read also

• Route for a mobile crane: For the RDW a mobile crane is a self-propelled machine: annual exemption up to 100,000 kg, only on green roads. How to plan the route with Truckroute.
• Telescopic crane and ballast: route and exemption: A telescopic crane drives as a mobile crane; ballast and crane parts go behind the crane or on a semi-trailer up to 22 m, 3 m and 100,000 kg.
• Legal dimensions and weights of a truck: Height 4.00 m, width 2.55 m, tractor and semi-trailer 16.50 m, 50,000 kg: the legal maximums in the Netherlands, and when you need an exemption.