Waze is an amazing application, and in my opinion, one of the best navigation apps available. But what makes Waze different from other navigation applications is not only the navigation itself — it is the community behind it.

Waze is constantly improved by its users and map editors. When there is an error or an outdated piece of information on the map, it can be reported, corrected and updated by the community. This is one of the main reasons why Waze can be so reliable for passenger cars.

As a professional truck driver, however, I have noticed that there is currently no navigation application or GPS for heavy goods vehicles that can offer the same combination of reliability, real-time information and community-driven map updates.

The problem is that truck navigation systems can contain outdated or incorrect information. For example, a road may be incorrectly marked as prohibited for heavy goods vehicles when it is actually allowed — or the opposite. There can also be incorrect information about bridge or tunnel height restrictions. A GPS may indicate that a bridge has a 4.00 m clearance, only for the driver to arrive there and discover that the actual limit is 3.70 m.

For a passenger car, an incorrect route is usually just an inconvenience. For a 40-ton truck, it can become a serious problem.

A truck driver cannot simply make a U-turn, reverse for several hundred metres, or easily take a small alternative road. We need reliable information before reaching these situations.

What I would like to see in Waze

I would therefore like to renew the request for a dedicated Heavy Vehicle / Truck mode in Waze.

1. A dedicated Heavy Vehicle profile

Similar to the existing motorcycle profile, Waze could introduce a Truck / Heavy Vehicle profile.

The driver could enter the characteristics of their vehicle, such as:

Maximum height
Maximum width
Vehicle length
Gross vehicle weight
Number of axles
Potentially ADR / hazardous materials information

Waze could then calculate routes according to these characteristics.

1. More heavy-vehicle information for map editors

Waze map editors could also have additional tools specifically for heavy vehicles.

For example, editors could specify:

Heavy vehicle speed limits, in addition to the standard speed limit
Weight restrictions, such as roads prohibited above 3.5 t, 7.5 t, 12 t, etc.
Height restrictions
Width restrictions
Length restrictions
Bridge and tunnel clearance
Other restrictions specifically affecting heavy vehicles

This information could then be used by Waze when calculating a truck route.

1. The biggest advantage: the Waze community

The biggest reason I believe Waze could be exceptionally good for trucks is precisely because of its community.

If a bridge clearance is incorrect, a weight restriction has changed, a road has become prohibited for trucks, or a restriction has been removed, Waze editors could update the information.

This would combine something that currently does not really exist in one application:

professional truck navigation + Waze's community-driven map + real-time traffic information.

That could make Waze an extremely powerful tool for professional drivers.

I know that dedicated truck navigation systems already exist, but their biggest weakness is often the accuracy and speed at which road restrictions and other information are updated. Waze already has a huge community capable of identifying and correcting problems.

I am not asking Waze to simply add a "truck" button.

I am asking for a complete Heavy Vehicle navigation system built on the strengths that already make Waze one of the best navigation applications for cars.

For professional drivers, accurate information is not just a convenience. It can make the difference between a normal delivery and being stuck in front of a bridge, in a narrow street, or on a road where a 40-ton truck simply cannot turn around.

I sincerely hope Waze will consider giving professional drivers the same level of community-powered navigation that car drivers already enjoy.