Road rules
Van with an open trailer: which materials may it not carry?
On motorways and main extra-urban roads, a non-watertight vehicle with an uncovered load of dispersible materials is prohibited.
Vehicles that are not watertight and carry an uncovered load of materials liable to disperse may not use motorways or main extra-urban roads. On other roads, loads must still be secured against falling or spilling. A net or cover does not automatically make every material safe or lawful in every setup.
The ban applies to specified roads and conditions
Article 175 of the Italian Highway Code excludes from motorways and main extra-urban roads vehicles that are not watertight, have an uncovered load and carry materials liable to disperse. This is not limited to a commercial name for the trailer: the actual vehicle configuration and load matter. Calling a unit a refrigerated trailer does not prove the cargo area is watertight or that the load is safe.
Article 164 also requires the load to be arranged so that it cannot fall or disperse, impair stability or visibility, or exceed the vehicle outline. Open bags, granules, soil, waste, sand and light materials can escape if they are not contained properly. A cover must be intact, suitable for the cargo and securely fastened.
Assess the container, load and route
Before leaving, check whether the trailer or cargo area is genuinely watertight and whether the material could escape during travel. A covered load is not necessarily watertight: inspect joints, doors, tarpaulin and fasteners. On a motorway or main extra-urban road, if the conditions in Article 175 apply, the vehicle is prohibited even if the driver believes the material is secure.
On other roads, the duty to prevent dispersal still applies. If you cannot contain the cargo safely, do not transport it in that setup. For unusual material or equipment, check the vehicle documents and ask the transport operator or competent authority. Both the cargo and the structure of its container determine the answer.
Example
An open trailer carrying loose sand cannot use a motorway if it is not watertight and the load can disperse. An unsuitable cover does not solve the problem. A closed and secured container still needs to be checked for actual tightness, vehicle outline and stability.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps study theory rules with quizzes and mistake review; it does not inspect a trailer or assess a particular load before departure.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps review theory rules and mistakes; an actual load must be contained and secured as required by law.
Frequently asked questions
Is a tarpaulin always enough to cover dispersible materials?
No. It must actually prevent dispersal, and the vehicle’s tightness, load securing and road rules still need checking.
Does the Article 175 ban apply on every road?
It lists motorways and main extra-urban roads; the load must still be secured against falling or dispersing on other roads under Article 164.