Foreign drivers still do not pay a fine when not complying with rules in Dutch environmental zones.
According to TLN president Arthur van Dijk, European regulations prevent municipalities from fining drivers with polluting vehicles. The industry association, together with a number of municipalities, is therefore pleading for a different European policy. Speaking to BNR, Van Dijk says: "In Europe, we do have regulations that you are allowed to exchange data if you drive through a red light or too fast, for example, but when it comes to environmental offences, this is not regulated at European level."
This dichotomy manifests itself especially on the Second Maasvlakte, where there are specific access requirements for trucks. Van Dijk states that 10 per cent of trucks here are foreign. If a violator is stopped, they can be fined on the spot. If not, the fine cannot be imposed afterwards.
The municipality of Rotterdam itself reports on its website that foreign trucks cannot be fined. The municipality has therefore introduced a registration requirement for foreign trucks. Those who do not register can be fined €2,250 if the offence is detected (on the spot).
