Driving bans
Driving Bans in Europe: We have compiled a summary of the most significant driving bans in Europe to help you plan ahead and ensure smooth transportation during these periods. By doing so, you can prevent delays or missed deliveries on public holidays. Stay informed and prepared
We are here to help you navigate through the driving bans in Europe, which can vary by country and by season. In this guide, we will provide you with all the necessary information to make sure you can travel safely and avoid any potential fines. Driving bans are restrictions on certain vehicles on certain roads or in certain areas, usually to reduce pollution or traffic congestion.We hope this guide helps you navigate the driving bans in Europe and have a safe and enjoyable trip. Don’t forget to plan ahead and be aware of the rules in each country you plan to visit. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The following is a list of countries and the specific driving bans that may be in effect at different times of the year:
Current driving bans in Europe – information by Neele-Vat
Belarus - Road Transport
Belarus does not have a permanent driving ban regulation. In the months of June, July, and August, a temporary driving ban can be imposed during high temperatures (starting from 25° C). This applies to vehicles with an axle load of 6 tons or more, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM, on the entire road network.
Belgium - Road Transport
Driving Ban for Exceptional Transport on Holidays
A driving ban (from 4:00 PM the preceding day until midnight on the day itself) applies to the transport of goods that exceed the maximum permitted dimensions and weights (width 2.55m, length 18.75/16.50m, weight 44 tons for vehicle combinations with 5 or more axles) on:
- January 1st
- Easter Monday
- May 1st
- Ascension Day
- Whit Monday
- July 21st (national holiday)
- August 15th (Assumption of Mary)
- November 1st (All Saints’ Day)
- November 11th (Armistice Day 1918)
- December 25th
Roads
- For the transport of goods with a width of more than 4m or a length of more than 30m, a (daily) driving ban applies on all roads from 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
- For the transport of goods with a width of more than 3.5m on highways with less than 3 lanes in the same direction, a driving ban applies from 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Weekend
The transport of goods, exceeding the maximum permitted dimensions and weights, is subject to a driving ban from Saturday 12:00 PM until Sunday midnight (except for mobile cranes where the maximum total weight of 96 tons is not exceeded, or with a width up to 3.0m).
General
For the transport of goods weighing 60t and more, wider than 3.5m and longer than 27m, a (daily) driving ban applies from 07:00 AM – 09:00 AM and from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Weather Conditions
The transport of exceptional cargo is prohibited during snow and ice formation on the roads and in case of fog, snowfall, or rain with visibility less than 200m.
Bulgaria - Road Transport
Driving Bans
In Bulgaria, there is no general driving ban on Sundays and public holidays. However, the following local driving bans do apply:
- Permanent driving ban for trucks with a total weight of more than 15 tons on I-15, section Tchernootchene – Kardjali
- Detour via:
- Direction Haskovo – Kardjali: road I-5 – road III-505 – Manastir – road III-507 – Voyvodino – Most – Tchiflik – Kardjali
- Direction Assenovgrad – Kardjali: road II-58 – road I-5, direction
- Haskovo – road III-505 – Manastir – road III-507 – Voyvodino – Most – Tchiflik – Kardjali
- Direction Mineralni Bani – Kardjali: road III-506 – road III-806 – road I-5 – road III-505 – Manastir – road III-507 – Voyvodino – Most – Tchiflik – Kardjali
- Permanent driving ban for trucks with a total weight of more than 10 tons on
- Road .I–5 between km 155+250 and km 184 +000 (Shipka Pass)
- These vehicles must follow the following route: Radnevo – road II-57 – Petmogili – Novoselez – road II-55 – Mlekarevo – Radevo – Nova Zagora – road mir – Tchervena Mogila – road I-6 – Gurkovo – Prohod na Republikata – Veliko Tarnovo.
- Ban for all trucks from November 1st to March 31st. In case of bad weather conditions, this measure can be enforced from October to April on:
- Road I-7, section Varbishki Pass
- These vehicles must follow the following route: the Kotlenski Pass (road I-4) the Rijki Pass (road II-73) or the Prohod na Republikata Pass (road II-55).
- Permanent driving ban for all trucks with a maximum total weight of more than 10 tons on:
- Road II-81, section Petrohan-Sofia
- These vehicles must follow the following route: I-1 (E-79): Montana-Vratsa-Botevgrad-Sofia.
- Daily driving ban for all trucks with a maximum total weight of more than 10 tons from 07:00 AM to 09:00 AM and from 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM on:
- Road II-82, section Samokov – Sofia
- These vehicles must follow the following route: II- 62 – Samokov – Ihtiman
- Road I8 – “Trakia” highway
Prohibition of Exceptional Transport
Throughout the year, a driving ban for exceptional transport applies during:
- Fog, rain, and snow with visibility of less than 50 meters, as well as a ban during nighttime hours and rush hours.
Summer Driving Ban
During the summer period with temperatures above 35°C, a driving ban applies for trucks and combinations with a total weight of more than 20 tons between 12:00 PM – 09:00 PM. This ban applies to the entire road network.
Driving Ban Regulation in SOFIA
- For trucks and truck combinations with a maximum allowed total weight of 4 tons and more, a daily driving ban applies from 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM in the following zone:
- Opalchenska str. – Slivnitza bld. – Gen.
- Danail Nikolaev bld. – Evlogui Gueorguiev bld. – Bulgaria bld. – Pencho Slaveikov bld. – Gen. Totleben bld. – Gen. Skobelev bld. – Opalchenska str. (N.B.: the bans do not apply on these streets themselves, but in the zone enclosed by these streets).
- For trucks and truck combinations with a maximum allowed total weight of more than 15 tons, a daily driving ban applies from 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM in the following zone:
- Konstantin Velichkov bld. – Gabrovo str. – Skopie str. – Nadejda junction – 202 str. – Kamenodelska str. – Malashevska str. – Parva balgarska armia str. – Rezbarska str. – Vassil Kanchev str. – Reka Veleka str. – Alexander Ekzarh str. – Madrid bld. – Sitniakovo bld. – Peiolavorov bld. – Nikola Vaptzarov bld. – Cherni vrah bld. – Srebarna str. – Gotze Delchev bld. –Jitnitza str. – Nikola Mushanov bld. – Vazkresenie bld. – Konstantin Velichkov bld. (N.B.: the bans do not apply on these streets themselves, but in the zone enclosed by these streets)
Denmark - Road Transport
In Denmark, there are no driving bans on Sundays and holidays. However, in the center of Copenhagen, there is a driving ban for trucks with a permitted total weight of more than 18 tons. Additionally, in Copenhagen, there is a nighttime parking ban in effect for trucks and buses with a total weight of 3.5 tons or more between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
Germany - Road Transport
Sunday Driving Ban
On Sundays and official holidays, a driving ban is in effect on the entire German road network from 00:00 to 22:00 for trucks and tractor/trailer combinations (B/E and C/E) with a maximum laden vehicle mass of more than 7.5 tons and for trucks (Lastkraftwagen from 2800 kg total weight) with trailers, regardless of their total weight.
Exceptions to the Sunday driving ban include transportation of:
- Fresh milk and dairy products
- Fresh meat and meat products
- Fresh fish, live fish, and fresh fish products
- Perishable fruits and vegetables
and
- Empty trips before or after the transportation of the above-mentioned products (not for transit trips)
- Vehicles or combinations covering the distance between loading or unloading addresses and the nearest station in connection with combined rail/road transport, provided that this distance is not more than 200 km
- Vehicles or combinations in combined road-water transport from the loading or unloading address to the nearest sea or inland port, provided that this distance is not more than 150 km as the crow flies
- Tractors without trailers, regardless of their total weight, intended solely for towing trailers
- Vehicles where the transported items belong to the vehicle’s inventory, such as exhibition or film vehicles
The transportation of cut flowers and plants is not included in these exceptions.
Exemptions
Under certain conditions and only in very urgent cases, you can obtain an exemption from this driving ban. Urgent cases include, among others:
- Transport for trade fairs, exhibitions, and markets
- Transport of racehorses and slaughter cattle intended for livestock markets on Mondays
- Transport for loading, unloading, and repairing seagoing vessels
To apply for an exemption, contact the Straßenverkehrsamt where the transport begins.
Holiday Driving Ban on Saturdays
The ‘Ferienreiseverordnung’ applies on all Saturdays in the months of July and August from 7:00 to 20:00. Driving is allowed again from 20:00 to 24:00, but the Sunday driving ban starts after 24:00.
The Saturday driving ban applies to trucks and tractor/trailer combinations with a permitted maximum mass of more than 7.5 tons and for trucks with trailers, regardless of their weight.
The Saturday driving ban applies on the following (sections of) Autobahnen and Bundesstraßen in both directions:
A1 from Autobahnkreuz Köln-West via Autobahnkreuz Leverkusen-West via Wuppertal, Kamener Kreuz, Münster to the junction Lohne/Dinklage
A2 from Autobahnkreuz Oberhausen to Autobahnkreuz Bad Oeynhausen
A3 from Autobahnkreuz Oberhausen to Autobahnkreuz Köln-Ost, from Mönchhof Dreieck via Frankfurter Kreuz to Autobahnkreuz Nürnberg
A5 from Darmstädter Kreuz to junction Karlsruhe-Süd and from junction Offenburg to Autobahndreieck Neuenburg
A6 from junction Schwetzingen-Hockenheim to Autobahnkreuz Nürnberg-Süd
A7 from junction Schleswig/Jagel to junction Hamburg-Schnelsen-Nord, from junction Soltau-Süd to junction Göttingen-Nord, from Autobahndreieck Schweinfurt/Werneck via Autobahnkreuz Biebelried, Autobahnkreuz Ulm.Elchingen and Autobahndreieck Allgäu to the end of Bundesgrenz Füssen
A8 from Autobahndreieck Karlsruhe to junction München-Obermenzing and from junction München-Ramersdorf to junction Bad-Reichenhall
A9/E51 Berliner Ring (splitting Leipzig/Autobahndreieck Potsdam) to junction München-Schwabing
A10 – the Berliner Ring, except for the section from junction Berlin-Spandau, via Autobahndreieck Havelland to Autobahndreieck Oranienburg and the section from Autobahndreieck Spreeau to Autobahn-dreieck Werder
A45 from junction Dortmund-Süd via Westhofener Kreuz and Gambacher Kreuz to Seligenstädter Dreieck
A61 from Autobahnkreuz Meckenheim via Autobahnkreuz Koblenz to Autobahndreieck Hockenheim
A81 from junction Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to junction Gärtringen
A92 from Autobahndreieck München-Feldmoching to junction Oberschleissheim and from Autobahnkreuz Neufahrn to junction Erding
A93 from Autobahndreieck Inntal to junction Reischenhart
A99 from Autobahndreieck München Süd-West via Autobahnkreuz München-West, Autobahndreieck München-Allach, Autobahndreieck München-Feldmoching, Autobahnkreuz München-Nord, Autobahnkreuz München-Ost, Autobahnkreuz München-Süd as well as Autobahndreieck München/Eschenried
A215 from Autobahndreieck Bordesholm to junction Blumenthal
A831 from junction Stuttgart-Vaihingen to Autobahnkreuz Stuttgart
A980 from Autobahnkreuz Allgäu to junction Waltenhofen
A995 from junction Sauerlach to Autobahnkreuz München-Süd
B31 from junction Stockach-Ost (A98) to junction Sigmarszell (A96)
B96/E251 Neubrandenburger Ring to Berlin
Exceptions to the Saturday Driving Ban
- Transport of:
- Fresh milk and dairy products
- Fresh meat and meat products
- Fresh fish, live fish, and fresh fish products
- Perishable fruits and vegetables
- Empty trips before or after the transportation of the above-mentioned products (not for transit trips)
- Vehicles or combinations covering the distance between loading or unloading addresses and the nearest station in connection with combined rail/road transport, provided that this distance is not more than 200 km
- Vehicles or combinations in combined road-water transport from the loading or unloading address to the nearest sea or inland port, provided that this distance is not more than 150 km as the crow flies
- For other very urgent transports, the exemption procedure of the Sunday driving ban applies.
Estonia - Road Transport
In Estonia, there are no general driving bans in place on Sundays and holidays. However, the transportation of hazardous goods is prohibited in Tallinn during the morning and evening rush hours from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00.
Finland - Road Transport
In Finland, there are no driving bans in effect.
France - Road Transport
General Driving Bans
In France, on Sundays and public holidays, from 10:00 PM the previous day until 10:00 PM on the actual day, there is a general driving ban on all roads for vehicles or vehicle combinations with a maximum authorized weight of more than 7.5 tons. The driving ban also applies to unaccompanied tractors without trailers.
Summer Period Driving Bans
During the summer period, France imposes an additional driving ban on vehicles and vehicle combinations with a maximum authorized weight (MAW) of more than 7.5 tons on certain Saturdays, known as ‘black’ (extremely busy) and ‘red’ (very busy) Saturdays. For the year 2023, limited freight traffic is allowed on the following Saturdays: July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5 (black), August 12, August 19, and August 26. On these days, there is an additional driving ban from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Sunday driving ban then starts not at 10:00 PM on Saturday but two hours later, at midnight. More Information
Winter Period Driving Bans
In the Rhône-Alpes region, there is a driving ban for vehicles and vehicle combinations with a maximum authorized weight (MAW) of more than 7.5 tons on Saturdays in February and the first Saturday in March from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and from 10:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the following Sunday. Therefore, driving is allowed between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
This driving ban applies to the following roads:
Bourg-en-Bresse – Chamonix
- A40 from Pont d’Ain (intersection A40/A42) to Passy-le-Fayet (intersection A40/RN205)
- RN 84 from Pont d’Ain (intersection RN84/RN75) to Bellegarde
- RN206 from Bellegarde to Annemasse
- RN205 from Annemasse to Chamonix
Lyon – Chambéry – Tarentaise – Maurienne
- A43 from St. Priest (intersection A43/A46) to the Fréjus Tunnel
- A430 from Pont Royal (intersection A43/A430) to Albertville (intersection A430/RN90)
- RN6 from St. Bonnet-de-Mure to Frenay
- RN90 from Pont Royal to Séez
- RN201 transit through Chambéry
Lyon – Grenoble – Briançon
- A43 from St. Priest (intersection A43/A46) to Coiranne (intersection A43/A48)
- A48 from Coiranne (intersection A48/A43) to St. Egrève (intersection A48/A480)
- A480 from St. Egrève (intersection A480/A48) to Pont-de-Claix (intersection A480/RN85)
- RN85 from Pont-de-Claix (intersection RN85/A480) to Vizille (intersection RN85/RN91)
- RN91 from Vizille (intersection RN91/RN85) to Briançon
St. Julien-en-Genevois – Annecy – Albertville
- RN201 from St. Julien-en-Genevois to Annecy
- RN508 from Annecy to Ugine
- RN212 from Ugine to Albertville
Annemasse – Sallanches – Albertville
- RN205 from Annemasse to Sallanches
- RN212 from Sallanches to Albertville
Ile-de-France
In the Paris region, in addition to the regular Sunday driving ban on the toll-free sections of motorways around Paris, there is a driving ban for vehicles and vehicle combinations above 7.5 tons MAW (maximum authorized weight) on the following road sections:
- motorways A6a and A6b from the boulevard Périphérique to the junction with A6 and A10 (Wissous municipality)
- motorway A106 from the junction A6b to Orly Airport
- motorway A6 from the junction with A6a and A6b to RN104-Est (Lisses municipality)
- motorway A10 to the junction with A6a and A6b to RN20 (Champlan municipality)
- motorway A13, from the boulevard Périphérique in Paris to the Poissy-Orgeval junction (Orgeval municipality)
- motorway A12 from the junction with A13 (triangle de Rocquencourt) to RN10 (Montigny-le-Bretonneux municipality)
On the following days and times:
- from Paris:
- Friday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- day before public holiday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday and public holiday 10:00 PM – midnight
- towards Paris:
- Sunday and public holiday 10:00 PM – midnight
- Monday or day after public holiday 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Exceptions
You do not need an exemption for:
- Transport of exclusively live animals and perishable goods, provided they constitute at least 50 percent of the payload or 50 percent of the load/surface area of the vehicle. The 50 percent restriction does not apply to racehorses. Vehicles used for transporting carrier pigeons may travel empty throughout France.
- In case of multiple delivery addresses: the 50 percent restriction does not apply if deliveries are made within the region of the first delivery and adjacent departments, or within the region of the first delivery and adjacent regions within a distance of no more than 150 km
- In case of multiple loading addresses: the 50 percent restriction does not apply if loading addresses are located within the region of the first loading address and adjacent departments, or within the region of the first loading address and adjacent regions within a distance of no more than 150 km
Perishable goods:
- eggs
- live fish
- shellfish
- chilled, frozen, and deep-frozen foodstuffs, particularly meat products, sea fish, milk, and dairy products
- egg products
- yeast
- vegetable products including chilled fruit juice and ready-cut vegetables
- all foodstuffs that need to be kept warm
- fresh fruits and vegetables
- cut flowers and potted plants
- honey
- animal carcasses
During the harvest period, vehicles are allowed to transport:
- Agricultural products from the place of harvest to the location where these products are stored, processed, packaged, or treated, within the region of origin and the adjacent departments or within the region of origin and adjacent regions up to a distance of 150 km.
- Sugar beets from sugar factories to the place of storage or use. These vehicles are not allowed to use highways.
Transport for events:
- Goods for the organization of official events in economic, sports, cultural, educational, or political domains: on the day of the event or the day before.
- Fireworks for an official event: on the same day or the day after.
- Mixtures of hydrocarbon gases, liquefied, n.e.s., UN 1965, or petroleum products UN 1202, 1203, 1223, intended for official sports competitions: on the same day or the day after.
Other exemptions:
- Transport of exclusively newspapers and magazines.
- Moving offices or factories within urban areas.
- Vehicles from which the sale of transported goods takes place, within the region of origin and adjacent departments or within the region of origin and adjacent regions up to a distance of 150 km.
- Vehicles of traders selling their products at fairs or markets within the region of origin and adjacent departments or within the region of origin and adjacent regions up to a distance of 150 km.
- Transport of air cargo under the cover of an airfreight bill.
- Transport of hospital waste or goods for medical purposes.
- Transport of medicinal gases.
- Transport of industrial X-ray equipment.
All vehicles falling under an exception may return empty within:
- The region where the last unloading address is located and the adjacent departments, or
- The region of the last place of delivery and adjacent regions up to a distance of 150 km.
*) Vehicles may, after the conclusion of the event or sale, return loaded within:
- The region where the event or sale took place and the adjacent departments, or
- The region where the event or sale took place and adjacent regions up to a distance of 150 km.
Unless other provisions are in effect, the region of origin is the region from which the vehicle departed for the current transport or entered France.
One-time exemptions:
Special one-time exemptions may be granted by the prefect of the department of departure or entry into France for:
- Urgent and necessary transports related to extraordinary circumstances such as drought, flooding, humanitarian disasters, or natural disasters.
- Waste transport for landfills or slaughterhouses.
- Transport of soiled or clean laundry to and from hotel complexes with a total capacity of 1000 or more rooms.
- Tank trucks for supplying gas stations along highways or airports.
- Transport of hazardous substances intended for immediate loading or unloading in seaports.
Ongoing exemptions from driving bans can be obtained for:
- Transport for continuous operations. These exemptions are granted by the prefect of the department of loading or entry into France, following approval from the prefect of the department of destination or exit from France. When hazardous substances are involved, the Interministerial Committee for the Transport of Hazardous Substances must also approve.
- Transport for public or emergency services. These exemptions are granted by the prefect of the department of departure.
Ongoing exemptions are granted for a period of up to one year.
Paris Driving Ban:
Vehicles with a floor area of less than 29m2, equipped with an electric motor or powered by gas or a hybrid engine, or with a EURO 3, 4, or 5 engine, may load and unload goods within Paris 24 hours a day. For vehicles outside the mentioned categories, this option is available between 10:00 PM and 5:00 PM. For vehicles with a surface area of 43m2 or less, it is allowed to load or unload goods within Paris between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
Permanent exceptions:
- Emergency vehicles.
- Deliveries to markets.
- Delivery of flour.
- Tank vehicles.
- Auto transports.
- Deliveries of building materials.
- Road maintenance vehicles.
- Moving vans.
- Garbage transport.
Notes:
The duration for unloading or loading is limited to 30 minutes. It is mandatory to place the sign ‘Livraison Marchandises’ on the windshield during unloading or loading. This sign also indicates the time of arrival and the type of motor or EURO norm. These signs are available from the Paris municipality (Direction de la voirie et des déplacements, section stationnement, 15 bd Carnot, 75012 Paris, Tel. +33. 144 672800), the Chamber of Commerce in Paris, and police stations.
Channel Tunnel:
In practice, there is an exemption from the driving ban for traffic on the A16 and the connecting road RN216 for transports to or from Great Britain via the Channel Tunnel or ferry. This is confirmed, among others, by the ferry companies, although an official legal basis is lacking.
Greece - Road Transport
Driving Bans
On the route below, a driving ban applies on Sundays during the period from June 1st to September 30th, from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Sundays during the period from January 1st to June 1st and from September 30th to December 31st, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, for vehicles with a payload of more than 1.5 tons:
Route
Highway Thessaloniki – Athens in the direction of Athens between the Skotina region and Larissa.
Exceptions
Transport of fresh milk, fresh fish and meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and live animals.
Hungary - Road Transport
Driving Bans
Sunday Driving Ban
For vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of more than 7.5 tons, a driving ban applies:
- From September 1st to June 14th: from 10:00 PM on Saturday or the day before a holiday until 10:00 PM on Sunday or the holiday
- From June 15th to August 31st: from 8:00 AM on Saturday to 10:00 PM on Sunday and from 10:00 PM on the day before a holiday until 10:00 PM on the holiday
Exceptions
From November 4th to March 1st, there are no driving bans for international traffic Euro-3 (or higher) vehicles.
Further exceptions include transports for the carriage of:
- Live animals
- Fresh milk and dairy products
- Fresh or frozen meat and meat products
- Bakery products
- Perishable vegetables and fruits
- Empty vehicles, prior to or following the transport of the above-mentioned products
- Empty vehicles traveling from the border to their home base in Hungary
- Combined transport when road transport is less than 70 km:
- o Between the combined transport terminal and the loading and unloading point
- o Between the nearest combined transport terminal to the border and the border crossing point
- o Between the Berretyoujfalu combined transport terminal and the Zahony border office
Exemptions
For other urgent transports, you can request an exemption, preferably through a Hungarian customer or intermediary, from: A.K.M.I, Allami Kozuti Muszaki es Informacios Kozhasznu Tarsasag, P.O. Box 749, 1535 Budapest. Phone: (0036) 1 268 1819, fax: (0036) 1 315 1894.
Ireland - Road Transport
Italy - Road Transport
Sunday Driving Ban
For trucks with a permissible total weight (own weight plus payload) of 7.5 tons or more, a driving ban applies on Sundays:
- From January to May and in the months of October to December, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- From June to September, this driving ban applies from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Exceptions
- Vehicles exclusively transporting animals destined for authorized competitions and events, if these competitions take place within 48 hours or have taken place in the past 48 hours.
- Vehicles exclusively transporting products for aircraft catering, provided they have the necessary documents to prove this.
- Transport of newspapers and periodicals.
- Transport of products for medical use.
- Transport related to the supply of ships.
- Fresh fish, fresh meat, fresh vegetables and fruits, cut flowers, fresh dairy products, fresh dairy derivatives, sperm, live animals from abroad, and livestock, chickens. For these transports, it is mandatory to attach visible green signs of 50 cm wide and 40 cm high to the rear and both sides of the vehicle, with a small letter ‘d’ in black and 20 cm high.
- Transport of perishable foodstuffs in refrigerated vehicles according to the ATP.
- Transport of fresh, non-durable milk. For these transports, it is mandatory to attach visible green signs of 50 cm wide and 40 cm high to the rear and both sides of the vehicle, with a small letter ‘d’ in black and 20 cm high.
- Tractors without trailers that are not heavier than 7.5 tons.
For vehicles coming from or going to abroad (or Sardinia) and equipped with the necessary documents indicating the place of loading and unloading, it is also applicable that when the vehicle enters Italy (or Sardinia), the driving ban starts four hours later, and when the vehicle leaves Italy, the driving ban ends two hours earlier.
The driving ban ends four hours earlier for vehicles destined for the terminals of Bologna, Padova, Verona Quadrante Europa, Turin-Orbassano, Rivalta Scrivia, Novara, Parma-Fontevivo, Busto Arsizio, and Milan-Rogoredo, and those that can demonstrate transporting goods to foreign countries from there.
Exemption
An exemption can be granted for the transport of goods that, due to their nature or seasonal and weather conditions, can quickly perish and must be transported directly from the production site to storage or sales point, transport with agricultural vehicles, and other very urgent transports. This request must be submitted to the prefecture of the province where the customs office of entry or the place of loading in Italy is located. The application must be supported (in part) by the sender or recipient of the goods. If the exemption is granted, the vehicle must be equipped with green signs of 50 cm wide and 40 cm high, displaying a small black letter ‘a’ with a height of 20 cm. These signs must be attached to the rear and both sides of the vehicle.
Dangerous Goods Driving Ban
The general driving ban in Italy also applies to the transport of dangerous goods, regardless of the total weight, on all the above-mentioned Sundays, holidays, and busy days.
Additional Dangerous Goods Driving Ban
In addition, an additional driving ban applies from June 1st to September 20th, from Friday 6:00 PM to Sunday 12:00 AM, for dangerous goods ADR Class 1.
Croatia - Road Transport
Driving Bans
Holiday Driving Ban
For vehicles and combinations with a permissible total weight of more than 7.5 tons or longer than 14 meters, a driving ban applies on the following days:
- Good Friday and the days preceding a holiday: from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- The last of 2 consecutive holidays: from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- If a holiday or the last day of 2 consecutive holidays falls on a Friday or Saturday, then on Sunday, a driving ban applies from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- If a holiday falls on Sunday or Monday, or when Christmas falls on Sunday and Monday or Monday and Tuesday, the driving ban applies on the preceding Friday from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- On official holidays from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Summer Holiday Driving Ban
For vehicles and combinations with a permissible total weight of more than 7.5 tons or longer than 14 meters, a driving ban applies from June 29th to September 23rd on:
- Saturday: from 4:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday: from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The driving bans apply on the following roads:
- nr. 1: Karlovac – Slunj – Gracac – Knin – Brnaze – Krizice and Klis – Solin bypass
- nr. 8: Rijeka – Zadar – Split – Klek (border with Bosnia-Herzegovina) – Zaton Doli (border with Bosnia-Herzegovina) – Dubrovnik – Karasovic (FRY border), except the section from the intersection with road 27 to the Sibenik exit
- nr. 9: Metkovic (border with Bosnia-Herzegovina) – Opuzen – D8
- nr. 21: Kastel (Slovakia border) – Buje – Pula
- nr. 23: Zuta Lokva – Senj
- nr. 39: Arzano (border) to road nr. 8 Dubci
- nr. 45: Veliki Zdenci – Garesnica – Kutina
- nr. 53: Intersection of road nr. 4207 to Slavonski Brod
- nr. 60: Brnaze – Trilj – Cista Provo
- nr. 66: Pula – Rasa – Opatija – D8
- nr. 200: Buje (D21) – Plavanija border (Slovakia border)
- nr. 220: Trilj (D60) – Kamensko (border with Bosnia-Herzegovina)
- nr. 300: Buje (D21) – Umag
- Z 5002: Novigrad – Tar – Porec – Vrsar (port areas of Split and Zadar)
Exceptions
Transport of:
- Fresh meat and meat products
- Fresh milk and dairy products
- Fresh fish and fish products
- Perishable fruits and vegetables
- Live cattle and poultry
- Mail and newspapers
- For radio and television broadcasts
Latvia - Road Transport
In Latvia, there are no general driving bans in place on Sundays and public holidays. On most main roads in Riga, there is a rush-hour ban on trucks weighing more than 5 tons from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.
Lithuania - Road Transport
Luxembourg - Road Transport
Driving Prohibitions
A driving prohibition is in effect on all Sundays and public holidays for transit transport towards Germany and France with vehicles having a permissible total weight exceeding 7.5 tons.
- From Belgium or Germany towards France: from Saturday or the day preceding a public holiday at 21:30 hours until Sunday or the public holiday at 21:45 hours (this also applies to French holidays: Liberation Day, National Day, and Armistice Day).
- From Belgium or France towards Germany: from Saturday or the day preceding a public holiday starting at 23:30 hours until Sunday or the public holiday at 21:45 hours (this also applies to German holidays: Good Friday, Corpus Christi, and National Day).
Exceptions
- Transport of live animals, cut flowers, or perishable foodstuffs within the scope of ATP, provided that the goods constitute at least half of the loading capacity or half of the loading area of the vehicle or combination.
- Vehicles driving empty to Germany in connection with the aforementioned transport.
- Vehicles used during the harvest period for transporting agricultural products from the place of harvest to the place of storage or treatment of these products.
- Laden vehicles for official economic, sports, cultural, educational, or political events.
- Vehicles transporting goods for the press.
- Business relocations.
- Vehicles of traders used for selling products at (annual) markets or fairs.
- Vehicles destined for Germany used for combined rail/road transport between the place of loading or unloading and the rail terminal, provided the distance to be traveled does not exceed 200 km.
- Vehicles intended for the transportation of damaged vehicles.
All transit transport by vehicles with a total weight exceeding 3.5 tons must use highways, as indicated by traffic signs.
Exemption
In very urgent cases, you can obtain an exemption. This applies, among other things, to transport for continuously operating factories. Submit your application to the Ministry of Transport, 19-21 Boulevard Royal, Boîte Postale 590, L-2910 Luxembourg. Phone: (00352) 478 13 28.
Norway - Road Transport
In Norway, there are no driving prohibitions.
Ukraine - Road Transport
Driving Restrictions
There are no general driving restrictions in Ukraine. However, there is a daily driving ban for vehicles weighing more than 4.5 tons on the Kyiv ring road between 07:00 and 20:00. International transport is allowed to enter the city between 10:00 and 17:00 if a TIR carnet is displayed.
Invasion in Ukraine and its Impact on Freight Transport
The invasion in Ukraine has significant consequences for freight transport. Transport permits for Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus are currently issued by the NIWO. It is unclear whether border crossings are accessible. We advise against transporting goods to or through Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus due to the hazardous and rapidly changing conditions on-site. There are guidelines and sometimes exemptions for humanitarian transport destined for Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus.
Austria - Road Transport
General Weekend Driving Ban
From Saturday 15:00 to Sunday 22:00 and on official holidays from 00:00 to 22:00, there is a driving ban on the entire road network for:
- trucks and tractor-trailer combinations with a maximum total weight of more than 7.5 tons
- trucks with trailers where the truck or trailer has a maximum total weight of more than 3.5 tons
This driving ban does not apply to:
- transport of perishable foodstuffs (with a maximum shelf life of 1 week from the transport date)
- empty vehicles on an outbound or return journey related to the transport of perishable goods (to be demonstrated through loading documents)
- tractors without trailers
- transport of slaughter animals
- transport of milk
- pre- and post-transport of combined transport within 65 km of the following stations: Brennersee, Enns Hafen, Graz-Ostbahnhof, Graz Süd CCT, Salzburg-Hauptbahnhof, Wels-Verschiebebahnhof, Villach-Fürnitz, Wien-Südbahnhof, Wien-Nordwestbahnhof, and Wörgl
Please note that the transport of fresh flowers and plants is not included in these exceptions.
General Night Driving Ban
For trucks with a total permissible weight of more than 7.5 tons, a driving ban is in place on the entire road network between 22:00 and 05:00. This driving ban does not apply to:
Quiet vehicles (Lärm-arm): trucks that produce no more noise than:
- 78 dBA for engines with up to 150 kW
- 80 dBA for engines with more than 150 kW
Trucks meeting these requirements must have a round green sticker or sign on the front with the white letter ‘L.’ They must also have a valid and original L-certificate from the manufacturer in the vehicle.
Combined rail/road transport with a CIM/UIRR document indicating that the container or swap body is transported or has been transported by rail. This applies to routes to and from:
- Südbahnhof Vienna
- Ostbahnhof Graz
- Bahnhof Villach-Fürnitz
- Verschiebebahnhof Wesl
- Bahnhof Brennersee
- Hauptbahnhof Salzburg
Night Driving Ban A12 (Inntal-Autobahn)
On the A12 (Inntal-Autobahn) between Kufstein/Langkampfen (km 6.350) and Zirl (km 90.0), there is a night driving ban in both directions for trucks and truck combinations with a maximum total weight of more than 7.5 tons:
- from May 1 to October 31: on weekdays between 22:00 and 05:00
- from November 1 to April 30: on weekdays between 20:00 and 22:00
- on Sundays and holidays: between 23:00 and 05:00
This driving ban does not apply to, among other things:
- the transport of perishable goods with a maximum shelf life of a few days (at least 51% of the load)
- the transport of periodicals
- the transport of goods for urgent medical care
- the transport of live animals
- transport with EURO-6 trucks. This must be proven with a certified document issued by the dealer containing emission values.
- starting January 1, 2021, for the EURO VI category, the loading or unloading destination must be located in the ‘Core Zone’ or the Extended Core Zone:
- Core Zone:
- districts Imst, Innsbruck (municipality), Innsbruck city, Kufstein, and Schwaz
- Extended Zone:
- – Austria: districts Kitzbühel, Landeck, Lienz, Reutte, and Zell am See
- – Germany: districts Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Miesbach, Rosenheim (including the city), and Traunstein
- – Italy: the municipalities of Eisacktal and Pustertal
- Also, only for the section of the A12 Inntal Autobahn between Ampass (KM 72.00) and Zirl (KM 90.00) in the southbound direction, e.g., for transport on the A12/A13 from Voralberg to Italy
- Fully electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles
Permanent Euro-Norm Driving Ban A12 (Inntal-Autobahn)
On the A12 (Inntal-Autobahn) between Kufstein/Langkampfen (km 6,350) and Zirl (km 90.0), there is also a permanent driving ban for environmentally harmful vehicles. This ban applies all year round, 24 hours a day in both directions.
Permanent driving ban for trucks and tractor-trailer combinations with a MTM of more than 7.5 tons and truck/trailer combinations where the sum of both MTMs is more than 7.5 tons. This ban applies to vehicles with:
- Currently: Euro 0, 1, 2, and 3
- Starting from October 31, 2019: Euro 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (allowed with EURO-5 and 6 vehicles)
- Starting from January 1, 2021: Euro 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (allowed with EURO-6 vehicles)
See the official publication: Landesgesetzblatt für Tirol (under 80.) of July 5, 2019.
Summer Driving Ban Regulation 2023
A12/A13 Inntal/Brenner Destination Italy: driving ban on all Saturdays from July 1, 2023, to August 26, 2023, from 07:00 to 15:00 for transit through Austria destined for Italy or a destination reached via Italy. This ban applies to all vehicles and vehicle combinations weighing more than 7.5 tons MTM. Following this, the regular weekend driving ban applies.
A12/A13 Inntal/Brenner Destination Germany: driving ban on all Saturdays from July 1, 2023, to August 26, 2023, from 07:00 to 15:00 for transit through Austria destined for Germany or a destination reached via Germany. This ban applies to all vehicles and vehicle combinations weighing more than 7.5 tons MTM. Following this, the regular weekend driving ban applies.
This ban does not apply to:
- transport of slaughter animals
- transport of perishable foodstuffs
- transport of periodicals
- medical deliveries
- transport for road or rail construction
- fuel supply to gas stations, restaurants, tourist areas
- towing services
- emergency transports
- transport for road and rail construction
- combined rail-road transport from the loading address to the nearest suitable station, or from the nearest suitable station to the unloading address (you need a CIM/UIRR freight document)
- empty trips to, among other places, the driver’s residence, the company’s registered address, or a truck parking area
- Vehicles with proof of the permissible EURO class
- Vehicles with special equipment (with a value of more than €100,000): such as silo and tank trucks, concrete mixers, exhibition vehicles.
Carinthia Driving Ban
On the A11, Karawanken Autobahn (between km 15.400 and km 21.250), there is a driving ban on all Saturdays from June 28 to September 13, from 08:00 to 14:00 for vehicles with a maximum permissible total weight of more than 7.5 tons.
Poland - Road Transport
Driving Bans
Holiday Driving Ban
There is a driving ban for vehicles with a permissible total weight of more than 12 tons:
- on holidays: from 7:00 to 22:00
- on the days preceding a holiday: from 18:00 to 22:00
Summer Driving Ban 2022
The summer driving ban in Poland for vehicles and vehicle combinations with a maximum permissible total weight of more than 12 tons starts on June 1st (the last day of school) and lasts until August 28, 2022.
- Friday from 18:00 to 22:00
- Saturday from 08:00 to 14:00
- Sunday from 08:00 to 22:00
Exceptions
- Vehicles of the police, military, fire brigade, border guards, and technical emergency services
- Breakdown assistance vehicles
- Vehicles deployed in natural disasters and rescue operations
- Vehicles for road and bridge maintenance and construction
- Transport of perishable foodstuffs (including cut flowers and houseplants) such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
- Transport of live animals
- Transport of goods for events in the fields of politics, economics, culture, education, and sports
- Transport of equipment for radio and television recordings
- Vehicles for loading and unloading rail wagons within a radius of 50 km from the loading or unloading station
- Humanitarian transports
- Combined transport
- Mail and transport of newspapers and magazines
- Transport of oil, fuel, water, spare parts for ships
- Transport of medicines
- Transport of quantities of hazardous materials requiring the use of the ‘orange plate’
- Transport of cement
- Transport of household waste
- Agricultural tractors
- Vehicles for medical examination
- Vehicles that entered Poland before the driving ban regulation and need to travel a maximum distance of 50 km from the border, and vehicles waiting in the border zone to leave Poland
Temporary Driving Ban
In extremely high temperatures, temporary traffic restrictions can also be imposed on vehicles above 12 tons total weight. This driving ban applies from 11:00 to 22:00 and is communicated at least 2 days in advance to, among others, the police, customs, and the media.
Portugal - Road Transport
Driving Bans
- On the tunnels on the A23, Barraciotunnel, Ramelatunnel, and Gardunhatunnel
- Daily from 05:00 to 02:00 the following day on the ’25 April Bridge’ (Tagus River)
Special driving bans apply to Lisbon and Porto. Information about these can be obtained from Transport and Logistics Netherlands.
Hazardous Materials Driving Ban
For vehicles with a permissible total weight of more than 3.5 tons transporting hazardous materials, a driving ban for national transport applies on Fridays, Sundays, and holidays, and the day before a holiday, from 18:00 to 21:00 on certain roads. On Mondays, from 07:00 to 10:00, except in the months of July and August, on the access roads to Lisbon and Porto and several other roads.
Romania - Road Transport
Driving Bans
Sunday Driving Ban E60/N1
Throughout the year, there is a driving ban on official holidays from 6:00 to 22:00 and on Saturdays and Sundays all day on a section of the E60/N1:
- Between Bucharest and Ploiesti for vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of more than 3.5 tons
- Between Ploiesti and Brasov for vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of more than 7.5 tons
Exemptions
You can apply for an exemption from the driving ban on the N1 at the National Road Administration in Bucharest. Phone: (0040) 1 638 48 30, fax: (0040) 1 312 54 19.
Holiday Driving Ban
On several other E-roads, there is a driving ban for vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of more than 7.5 tons on official holidays from 06:00 to 22:00.
Summer Holiday Driving Ban
From June 15th to September 15th, there is a driving ban on all E-roads on Saturdays and Sundays, typically from 08:00 to 20:00 and on some sections from 06:00 to 22:00 for vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of more than 7.5 tons.
Exceptions for Holiday and Summer Holiday Driving Bans
Transport of:
- Perishable goods
- Live animals
Hazardous Materials
For the transport of hazardous materials, there is a driving ban on the entire road network on all Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 00:00 to 24:00.
Nighttime Hazardous Materials Driving Ban
Throughout the year, there is a nighttime driving ban for the transport of hazardous materials from 22:00 to 05:00, except for substances with UN numbers 1202, 1203, 1223, or 1965. This driving ban is not included in the monthly calendars.
Serbia - Road Transport
There is no general driving ban.
Slovenia - Road Transport
Sunday Driving Ban
For vehicles with a permissible total weight (own weight plus payload) of more than 7.5 tons, there is a driving ban:
- on Sundays and public holidays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM;
and during the period from the weekend of June 27/28 to the weekend of September 5/6:
- on Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- on Sundays and public holidays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Holiday Driving Ban
On certain roads (with heavy holiday traffic), there is a driving ban during the holiday period from June 15 to September 15:
- on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- on Sundays and public holidays from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
These driving bans do not apply to:
- emergency transports;
- refrigerated transport of perishable goods;
- transport of fresh flowers;
- combined transport:
- to a rail or ferry terminal if the vehicle would be delayed due to the driving ban;
- from a rail or ferry terminal to the nearest border if the vehicle is allowed to drive in that other country.
Exemptions
For other urgent transports, an exemption can be requested (preferably through a Slovenian customer or intermediary).
Slovakia - Road Transport
Sunday Driving Ban
On Sundays and public holidays, a driving ban is in place for vehicles with a permissible maximum weight (PMW) of over 7.5 tons from 0:00 to 22:00 on all main routes.
Summer Holiday Driving Ban
From July 1st to August 31st, a summer holiday driving ban is in effect on all Saturdays from 7:00 to 20:00. This ban applies to vehicles with a PMW exceeding 7.5 tons on all international highways and main roads.
Exceptions
This driving ban does not apply to the transport of:
- perishable goods
- live animals
- campers and buses
- vehicles for combined transport
- for cultural and sports events
Exemption
An exemption for this ban can be requested from CESMAD Slovakia.
Spain - Road Transport
Driving Ban
Sunday Driving Ban for Transit Traffic in Basque Country
For vehicles with a total weight of more than 7.5 tons, a driving ban for transit traffic applies throughout Basque Country on Saturdays and the days before a public holiday from 22:00 to 00:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00.
- local traffic
- transport of live animals
- transport of perishable foodstuffs
- transport of goods for official events in the economic, sports, cultural, educational, or political fields
- transport of magazines, mail, and telegrams
- vehicles for mobile trade
- empty trips related to the above-mentioned transports
Driving Ban for Hazardous Materials
Vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons carrying hazardous materials are not allowed to drive in Basque Country on the days before public holidays (except Saturdays) from 13:00 to 00:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 8:00 to 00:00.
This ban does not apply to:
- transport of LPG and heating oil for household use to distribution points or consumers
- transport of products for refueling gas stations
- transport of gases for hospitals.
Czech Republic - Road Transport
Summer Holiday Driving Ban
In addition to the general driving ban, there is a summer holiday driving ban for vehicles with a permissible total weight of more than 7.5 tons from July 1st to August 31st:
- on Fridays from 17:00 to 21:00
- on Saturdays from 7:00 to 13:00
- on Saturdays and public holidays from 13:00 to 22:00
Exceptions
A permanent exemption applies to:
- combined rail/road or inland waterway/road transport on the shortest route between sender or receiver and the nearest loading or unloading terminal
- transport of agricultural products during harvest time
- transport of perishable goods according to the ATP, provided that more than half of the cargo space is used
- transport of live animals
- transport for road construction and maintenance
- transport of goods to or from ships, trains, or planes within a radius of 100 km
- postal transport
- unloaded vehicles in relation to the above-mentioned transports
- transport of chemicals sensitive to temperature changes
Exemption
In urgent cases, an exemption can be granted, such as for transport related to annual fairs, exhibitions, and markets, as well as the transport of racehorses and slaughter cattle. Exemptions must be submitted to the Ministry of Transport at least four weeks before the transport: Ministerstvo dopravy CR, Nábrezi Ludvika Svobody 12, CZ 11015 Praha 1, T: 00 420 (0)2-51411111.
Turkey - Road Transport
Driving Bans
On all major through roads and on bridges, there is a daily driving ban from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On the route from Edirne to Istanbul, there is a driving ban from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and on the return route to Istanbul, it is from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Additionally, there is a driving ban on the first and last day of Ramadan and during the Feast of Sacrifice (Offerfeest). These driving bans do not apply to the transportation of live animals and fresh vegetables and fruits.
United Kingdom - Road Transport
Driving Restrictions
There is no general driving restriction on Sundays and public holidays in the United Kingdom.
On most roads in London (Greater London), there is a nighttime and weekend driving restriction for vehicles with a permissible maximum weight of more than 18 tons:
- Monday to Friday from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
- Saturday from 1:00 PM to Monday at 7:00 AM
Exemptions
For vehicles that need to be in London during these hours, such as for loading and unloading perishable foodstuffs, an exemption can be requested from the Association of London Government, Lorry Control Team.
Sweden - Road Transport
There is no driving restriction on Sundays and public holidays in Sweden.
Switzerland - Road Transport
Driving Restrictions
On Sundays and public holidays, there is a driving restriction throughout the day and on the entire road network for:
- trucks without a trailer with a maximum laden vehicle mass of more than 3.5 tons
- combinations with a maximum laden vehicle mass of more than 5 tons
Regional Holidays
In addition to official holidays, Switzerland has several local (cantonal) holidays during which driving restrictions usually apply. Transit transport is allowed, but customs offices are closed.
Night Driving Ban
For combinations with a total weight of more than 5 tons and for trucks without a trailer with a total weight of 3.5 tons or more, there is a driving ban throughout Switzerland from 22:00 to 05:00. Transport during natural disasters is exempt. This driving ban is not included in the monthly calendars.
Applying for an Exemption
You can apply for an exemption for the transport of:
- lightly perishable goods (such as vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers)
- slaughter pigs and poultry
- fresh milk and dairy products
- circus equipment, musical instruments, theater supplies
- newspapers and postal items