From 15 September, new traffic rules for heavy goods vehicles on the VCI will come into force. Find out what is changing, who is covered and what alternatives are available.

Restrictions on heavy goods vehicle traffic on the VCI

From 15 September, the circulation of certain heavy goods vehicles on the VCI will be restricted on working days, between 07:00 and 21:00.

The measure applies to goods vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3,500 kg, three or more axles, and a height equal to or greater than 1.1 metres, measured vertically from the first axle.
There are, however, exceptions. Covered vehicles whose origin or destination is in the municipalities of Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia, for loading or unloading operations in those municipalities, may circulate on the VCI, provided they are previously authorised through the digital platform made available by the respective municipalities.

VCI Circulação ING 1920

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FAQ

  • From 15 September, heavy goods vehicles will be prohibited from circulating on the VCI (IC1/IC23), between 07:00 and 21:00, on working days.

  • For this purpose, “heavy goods vehicles” means vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3,500 kg, with three or more axles, and with a height, measured vertically from the first axle, equal to or greater than 1.1 m, intended for the transport of goods, either on own account or for hire or reward

  • In order for exempted vehicles to circulate on the VCI during the period in which the restriction applies, circulation authorisation must be obtained in advance for each transport movement through registration on the digital platform made available by the municipalities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

    The authorisation process includes, in addition to completing a form, the submission of a transport document, as defined in point b) of paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the annex to Decree-Law No. 147/2003 of 11 July.

    The transport document must indicate, at least, the place where the goods are loaded and unloaded, the date and time at which transport begins, and the registration number of the respective vehicle and the identification code assigned by the Tax and Customs Authority. In cases where the transport document does not bear an identification code because one is not legally required, the authorisation may proceed without such code.

    After submission of the form and the above-mentioned documentation, a record is generated by the platform, serving as proof of authorisation to circulate on the VCI; this record must be presented to the competent police authorities for verification of the regularity of circulation.

    Any cancellation of an authorisation request made on the Platform must likewise be registered through that channel.

    Clik here to acess the platform