For years, the issue of limiting the operation of overloaded and over-dimensioned trucks has been voiced. However, until now there is no certainty when this policy, known as zero over dimension over loading (ODOL), will take effect.

Not long ago, Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi simply stated that the handling of ODOL transportation in Indonesia must be implemented immediately and can no longer be delayed. He said that these over-dimensional and overloaded trucks cause terrible impacts in various aspects. These include fatal traffic accidents, damage to road infrastructure, and increased air pollution.

Freight truck entrepreneurs are actually looking forward to the implementation of the zero ODOL regulation. But first, there must be a clear roadmap that is sustainable, so that it can accommodate the interests of all parties - from entrepreneurs, drivers, and the community.

Logistics Entrepreneur and Owner of Siba Surya Steffanus Suryaatmadja said, this policy is believed to have a good impact as long as its implementation is in accordance with the set target.

"Good policies such as zero ODOL must be supported. The point is consistent and can be fair to all parties," Steffanus told SUAR, in Jakarta, Wednesday (06/08/2025).

"Good policies such as zero ODOL must be supported. The point is to be consistent and fair to all parties," said Steffanus.

He said that another benefit that can be obtained from the implementation of zero ODOL is to increase the competitiveness of the national economy, because logistics costs can be reduced.

According to Steffanus, in order for the zero ODOL implementation to last for a long time, it is also necessary to prepare a supervisory team. This step is taken for a long-term solution so that it can be easily monitored.

Reduce logistics costs

In addition to strict supervision, efforts to reduce overall logistics costs are also an important aspect that needs attention.

Chairman of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders Association (ALFI) Institute Yukki Nugrahawan encouraged the government to synergize with businesses to reform the national logistics system with five policy priorities.

"Reforming the national logistics system is important to improve Indonesia's competitiveness, especially in terms of logistics costs," said Yuki.

ALFI provides five policy recommendations that need to be done. Namely:

• Improve the availability of land, sea and air logistics infrastructure.
• Improve fiscal governance and logistics trading that is easy, efficient, and optimized.
• Harmonizing regulations and bureaucratic processes that are easy and straightforward.
• Encourage the revitalization of transport fleets to boost logistics operational performance.
• Increase the capacity of logistics and supply chain businesses and human resources in the logistics sector, especially in the process of digitization and management of land, sea and air logistics systems.

Joint technical team

In a meeting at the House of Representatives (5/8), the Government, the House of Representatives, and the Alliance of Independent Drivers (API) agreed to form a joint team to formulate a Zero Over Dimension Over Loading (ODOL) policy.

The plan is to implement this policy in 2027 - pushed back from the previous schedule of 2026.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad explained that the formation of the technical team aims to accommodate the aspirations of all parties and arrange stages of implementation of the zero ODOL policy in a gradual and measurable manner.

"This is important to ensure traffic safety and maintain road infrastructure from damage due to overloading. We try not to harm any party," Sufmi said in a DPR release received by SUAR.

The technical team to be established is scheduled to start work in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the following stages of implementation:

• 2025-2026: Preparation of technical regulations, socialization, and trial programs in major logistics routes.
• 2026: Limited implementation in priority sectors such as transportation of mining materials, construction materials, and heavy goods.
• 2027: Full implementation of zero ODOL on the entire national road network.

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi added that the joint team will review various technical aspects such as vehicle capacity, freight transport standards, licensing regulations, as well as the process of education and socialization to transportation industry players.

"We agree on the need for a joint commitment to enforce zero ODOL. We will immediately follow up on several matters of concern," he said.

Data from the Ministry of Transportation shows that more than 60% of freight vehicles in Indonesia will still be classified as ODOL by 2024. Every year, damage to national roads due to ODOL vehicles causes state losses of up to Rp 43 trillion, both in terms of infrastructure maintenance and social costs of traffic accidents.

Every year, damage to national roads due to ODOL vehicles causes state losses of up to Rp 43 trillion, both in terms of infrastructure maintenance and social costs of traffic accidents.

ODOL vehicles also have an impact on the high number of traffic accidents. Based on data from the Korlantas Polri, throughout 2023 there were more than 1,200 traffic accidents involving over-dimensional and overloaded vehicles, with the majority occurring on major logistics distribution routes such as Java and Sumatra.

Drivers need protection

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Independent Drivers Alliance (API), Suroso, stated that logistics drivers are ready to fully support the implementation of the Zero ODOL policy for the sake of legal certainty and driving safety.

"We will guard the implementation of Zero ODOL 2027. We want legal certainty, protection, and also education so that this transition does not become a one-sided burden," said Suroso.

"We want legal certainty, protection, and also education so that this transition does not become a one-sided burden," said Suroso, Chairman of the Independent Drivers Alliance (API).

In response, transportation observer from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Djoko Setijowarno emphasized that the implementation of zero ODOL without a clear roadmap is like a toothless tiger. The lack of clarity is exacerbated if the government has not repaired the existing weighbridges.

"The tool for controlling over-dimensional and overloaded trucks that has been relied on so far, the weighbridge aka the Motor Vehicle Weighing Implementation Unit (UPPKB), has almost no teeth," Djoko told SUAR on August 5, 2025.

Djoko revealed that monitoring instruments such as weighbridges do not function optimally in the field.

So far, not a few weighbridges in the regions have not fully operated or some have even been abandoned. Based on 2021 data, only about 88 of the 134 weighbridges in operation. This problem seems to make truck drivers reluctant to enter the weighbridge.

He suggested that the government immediately make a clear roadmap regarding the implementation of zero ODOL 2027 and focus on improving weighbridges.