How far may a load stick out on a car?

How far may a load stick out from a car?

At the back of a passenger car a load may stick out at most 1 metre. At the front only an indivisible load may stick out, also at most 1 metre. At the sides an indivisible load may stick out at most 20 cm on each side. Car and load together are at most 4 metres high.

Picture	Where?	How far may it stick out?
	Rear	At most 1 metre behind the car.
	Front	Only an indivisible load, at most 1 metre. A divisible load does not stick out at the front.
	Sides	Only an indivisible load, at most 20 cm per side. A divisible load is not wider than the car.
	Height	Car and load together at most 4 metres, measured from the road.

The car with its load is at most 2.55 metres wide on a paved road. On an unpaved road it is 2.20 metres. A sign with a lower limit applies to you too.

You do not need a marker board on a passenger car. That board is for a load sticking out more than 1 metre at the back. That is not allowed behind a car.

What is a divisible and an indivisible load?

A divisible load can be split into smaller pieces without damage, such as loose boxes or planks. An indivisible load cannot be split, such as one long beam, a canoe or a ladder.

The difference decides how far something may stick out:

• How far may a divisible load stick out? At most 1 metre at the back. Not at the front or the sides.
• How far may an indivisible load stick out? At most 1 metre at the back and the front, at most 20 cm per side.

Can the load be split after all? Then split it, so it stays inside the car or on the carrier. Rijkswaterstaat: securing loads, divisible and indivisible.

Driving with a trailer? Different limits apply there, also for the marker board. Read the rules under loads on a trailer.

How far may something stick out of your boot?

A load sticking out of the boot may also stick out at most 1 metre behind the car. Your number plate and rear lights must stay clearly visible. Secure the load so it cannot slide or fall.

A load inside the car matters just as much. Put heavy items as low as possible and secure them. Keep the steering wheel, pedals and your view free. When you brake hard, a loose load shoots forward, even if it does not stick out.

Does something not fit in the car? Then use a roof rack or a trailer. Mind the roof load and the maximum weight of your car. Bikes on a carrier are a load too. If the carrier covers your plate or lights, you need a light bar and an official plate. See bike carrier.