VCI heavy vehicle ban begins in Porto: Exception registration system still not ready

The new restriction on heavy vehicle traffic on Via de Cintura Interna (VCI) in Porto comes into force on Tuesday, September 15. However, just one day before the implementation started, the digital platform on which vehicles that will be exempt from the ban must register has not yet become operational, causing a reaction in the transportation industry.

ANTRAM states that the system not being ready on time creates uncertainty for companies and may cause problems in goods transportation in the Porto region.

The new restriction starts on September 15

With the new regulation, traffic of heavy vehicles will be restricted in certain sections of VCI.

The main aim is to reduce heavy vehicle traffic on the VCI, especially during peak hours, and to relieve traffic pressure on one of the busiest road axes of the Porto metropolitan area.

However, the regulation does not mean an absolute ban on all heavy vehicles throughout the day.

Exceptions are foreseen for certain activities and routes.

At what hours will the ban be implemented?

According to the new regulation, the heavy vehicle restriction will be applied during heavy traffic periods on weekdays.

Restriction hours:

07.00–10.00 in the morning

Evening 16.00–19.00

The application covers the section of the VCI between the Freixo and Arrábida bridges.

The aim is to reduce the impact of heavy vehicles on traffic on this route, especially during going to and from work hours.

Some heavy vehicles are exempt from the ban will be

There are exceptions in the regulation for some vehicles that are required to serve Porto.

In addition to public transport, emergency and public service vehicles, it is possible for certain freight transport activities to be exempt from the restriction if they meet the conditions.

The exception mechanism is also important for some heavy vehicles that deliver goods to businesses in Porto and its surroundings.

The problem is that the registration system that needs to be created in order for these exceptions to be applied is not yet ready shortly before the restriction begins.

ANTRAM: The platform is still not working

ANTRAM, representing the Portuguese road freight transportation sector, announced that as of September 14, the platform that will enable the registration of exempt vehicles is still not available.

According to the association, companies are uncertain about which vehicles they will register in the system and how.

ANTRAM also argues that the system will impose a new bureaucratic burden on transportation companies and may increase operational costs.

The fact that the registration mechanism is not ready just one day before the restriction comes into force also raises the question of how it will be supervised in the first days of implementation.

Businesses in Porto may also be affected

VCI is a critical route not only for urban transportation but also for the logistics and distribution network in the Porto metropolitan area.

Therefore, the effect of regulation is only It doesn't concern truck drivers.

Delivery times may need to be rearranged for distribution companies, supermarkets, restaurants, shops and other businesses that carry products to Porto.

ANTRAM warns that there may be delays in distribution chains, especially if the exception system does not work properly.

The alternative route will be A41

One of the main alternative routes for heavy vehicles using VCI for transit during restriction hours will be A41.

One of the goals of the regulation is to ensure that heavy vehicles that do not need to enter the center of Porto use ring roads outside the metropolitan area instead of VCI.

However, the transportation industry points out that this may mean longer distances, more fuel consumption and additional highway costs on some routes.

What's changing for drivers?

There is no direct new ban for passenger car drivers.

The expectation of the government and local governments is that the decrease in the number of heavy vehicles during peak hours will ease the traffic flow in VCI.

However, the real impact of the practice is expected to become clearer after seeing how heavy vehicles are distributed to alternative routes and how smoothly the exception system works.

The first days of the application, which will start on September 15, are therefore an important test for both drivers and the transportation industry. will be.

Resources

Renascença — September 14, 2026

https://rr.pt/noticia/pais/2026/09/14/pesados-na-vci-plataforma-para-registo-de-excepcoes-ainda-esta-em-baixo/485333/