Porto restricts heavy truck traffic on VCI ring road as police log 19 violations

New transit rules on the VCI

Transit restrictions for heavy goods vehicles on Porto's Via de Cintura Interna (VCI) took effect at 07:00 on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. The measure applies on business days between 07:00 and 21:00 to freight vehicles weighing more than 3,500 kilograms, having three or more axles, and standing at least 1.1 meters tall measured vertically at the first axle. Through-traffic heavy trucks are barred from using the ring road unless their origin or destination lies within the municipalities of Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia for loading or unloading operations. Eligible transport operators must secure prior authorization by registering their vehicles on a municipal digital platform at vci.porto.pt, with local authorities providing phone and email helplines for technical assistance.

Police operations and reported violations

Officers from the Public Security Police (PSP) deployed checkpoints across key access points, including the Bonjóia roundabout in Campanhã, to inspect freight traffic. Police maintained mobile supervision along the A20 and VCI while establishing peripheral inspection posts to divert non-compliant vehicles away from unsafe roadway stretches. PSP recorded six infractions by 10:00, a figure that climbed to 19 infractions by 15:00 after approximately eight hours of operations. Intendente Marco Almeida characterized the violation total as expected, noting that the police adopted an informative approach alongside penalties to correct incomplete registrations.

Some decided to take a risk, others did not have their records properly filled out, but we are here to help and inform.

Traffic diversion and haulier concerns

The Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) confirmed increased truck volume on the Circular Regional Exterior do Porto (CREP), also known as the A41 motorway, which has been toll-free for freight carriers since the beginning of 2026. GNR officials identified the A20, A44, and A1 motorways as routes directly affected by traffic redistribution, while monitoring the A43 and A3 for secondary congestion. Freight operators expressed concerns regarding operational costs and route extensions. Transport operator Joaquim Fonseca noted that avoiding the VCI adds 41 kilometers per day to each vehicle's route, creating an estimated 80% cost increase, while haulier José Morgado pointed out that a trip from Freixo to Matosinhos expands from 23 kilometers on the VCI to 70 kilometers via the CREP.

Municipal reactions and future transport plans

Municipal leaders framed the restrictions as an initial phase to decrease vehicle congestion across the metropolitan core. Fernando Machado, economy councillor for Vila Nova de Gaia, acknowledged that the restriction is not a complete fix for congestion but anticipated smoother transit for passenger cars.

From here we can adopt other measures for other types of vehicles to free the VCI from the chaos that it is today. We want the experience of travelling on the VCI to be better and better.

Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte separately outlined plans to present a municipal parking strategy by the end of the year. That policy will reduce surface-level street parking spaces, prioritize local residents through reserved bays and reduced tariffs, and assess pedestrianization plans for parts of the historical city centre.