What a 7.5-tonne truck may do, how much it really carries, which models exist – and how 12-, 18- and 40-tonners differ. With toll, driving ban and resale value.
The 7.5-tonne truck is the most sought-after truck in Germany – and the most frequently misunderstood. The figure stands for the permissible gross vehicle weight, not for the load. How much of it is left for cargo, which driving licence is required, which rules apply from this threshold and how 12-, 18- and 40-tonners differ is explained here.
A 7.5-tonne truck is a truck with a permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7,500 kg. This is the total mass of vehicle, body, fuel, driver and load that the vehicle may have at most on public roads. It belongs to vehicle category N2 (3.5 to 12 t) and is the standard size in regional distribution transport, for removal companies, in the trades, for municipalities and everywhere a van would be too small and a 12- or 18-tonner too large.
Typical design: two axles, wheelbase between roughly 3.6 and 5.4 m, overall length depending on the body 6 to 8.5 m, width 2.3 to 2.5 m. Engines are mostly between 150 and 220 hp (4-cylinder, 4 to 5 litres displacement), gearboxes manual 6-speed or automated.
Category C1 (Klasse C1) permits trucks from 3,500 to 7,500 kg GVW, plus a trailer up to 750 kg. With C1E, the combination of 7.5-tonne truck and heavier trailer may weigh up to 12,000 kg. Anyone who obtained their car licence before 1 January 1999 (old German Klasse 3) may drive a 7.5-tonne truck without an additional test – category C1 is included there. All younger category B holders need C1, available from age 18.
For commercial journeys, the professional driver qualification is added: anyone transporting goods for hire or reward with a vehicle over 3.5 t needs the initial qualification under the German Professional Driver Qualification Act (Berufskraftfahrer-Qualifikations-Gesetz; code 95 – Schlüsselzahl 95 – on the driving licence) and 35 hours of periodic training every five years. What C1, C and CE cost is explained in the guide Truck driving licence: costs, categories, funding.
This is where most buyers miscalculate. The kerb weight is deducted from the 7,500 kg – and that depends on the body. A chassis cab weighs around 3,000 to 3,500 kg depending on the manufacturer. Then comes the body: a flatbed with tarpaulin is light, a box body with tail lift weighs several hundred kilos more, a refrigerated box with cooling unit considerably more again. As guide values:
The binding figure is in the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (German registration certificate part I): field F.1 (technically permissible maximum mass), field G (unladen mass) – the difference is the payload. Anyone who regularly reaches the limit is better served with a 12-tonner: it weighs hardly more unladen but carries almost twice as much.
The market is manageable, and the models have run almost unchanged for decades – which is why they are also easy to assess as used vehicles:
12,000 kg GVW, upper limit of category N2. Usually the same model series as the 7.5-tonne truck with a stronger axle, larger tyres and more power (Atego 1218 to 1230, TGL 12.220, Eurocargo 120E). Payload around 5 to 6.5 t, i.e. almost double with similar fuel consumption. Requires licence category C (not C1), is subject to the Sunday driving ban and the safety inspection. The more economical choice for distribution transport with full pallets.
18,000 kg GVW, category N3, the standard size of the two-axle heavy truck: Mercedes-Benz Actros/Atego 1824 to 1830, MAN TGM 18.250/TGS 18.xxx, Volvo FE/FM, DAF CF/LF 18, Scania P-series. Payload roughly 9 to 11 t, engines from around 250 hp, often as swap-body, box, tanker or municipal vehicle. With a trailer as a drawbar combination up to 40 t gross combination weight – then licence category CE.
The 40-tonner is not a single vehicle but the articulated truck: a two-axle tractor unit (usually 18 t GVW) plus a three-axle semi-trailer, together 40,000 kg permissible gross combination weight in Germany (44 t in combined transport). Payload roughly 24 to 26 t, engines 400 to 500 hp, licence category CE. This is the long-haul truck – and the vehicle category most heavily traded used worldwide; which countries set which age limits is explained in the guide Exporting used trucks: age limits in 20 countries.
7.5-tonne trucks are among the commercial vehicles with the most stable value because demand is broad: tradespeople, municipalities, removal companies and export to Eastern Europe and West Africa compete for the same vehicles. Decisive factors are the body (box body with tail lift is the most sought-after), mileage, Euro standard (Euro 6 mandatory for new registrations since 2014; older Euro 5 vehicles mostly go to export), the condition of tail lift and cooling unit, and a complete service history. How the value is composed is explained in the guide resale value and models with stable value; a concrete figure for your vehicle is provided by the free truck valuation based on real sales – after which verified dealers from over 34 countries make binding offers.
Only with the old Klasse 3 (licence issued before 1 January 1999). Anyone holding category B needs category C1; it covers trucks from 3,500 to 7,500 kg permissible gross vehicle weight.
Depending on the body, roughly 2 to 4 t. The binding payload is the difference between the technically permissible maximum mass (field F.1) and the unladen mass (field G) in the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I.
No, as long as no trailer is towed. The ban under § 30 StVO applies to trucks over 7.5 t GVW and to all trucks with a trailer, on Sundays and public holidays from 0:00 to 22:00.
Yes, since 1 July 2024 the German truck toll applies from 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass. Exempt are craft businesses up to 7.5 t that transport their own materials, tools or self-produced goods with their own employees.
Both are category N2 and often the same model series, but the 12-tonner has stronger axles and around 5 to 6.5 t payload instead of 2 to 4 t. In return it requires licence category C instead of C1, is subject to the Sunday driving ban and the annual safety inspection.
Gabriel Böhm is Managing Director of truckoo GmbH, the digital platform that is redefining commercial vehicle trade in Europe. With a passion for innovation and efficiency, he shapes the strategic direction and drives operational excellence to connect sellers and buyers smarter, faster and more transparently.
More practical knowledge about selling, valuation and documents.
The registration certificate, mileage and photos are all you need. Verified dealers bid bindingly and you decide – free of charge and with truckoo as your contractual partner.
.svg){kind=logo}