Truck Driving Bans in Europe 2026: Weekend, Holiday and Night Restrictions by Country

Most European countries ban trucks (typically over 7.5t) from driving on Sundays and public holidays, usually between 00:00 and 22:00. Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland and several others enforce strict weekend bans with fines ranging from EUR 45 (Poland) to EUR 750+ (France). Perishable goods and combined transport are generally exempt.

Key Takeaways

• 16 out of 20+ countries enforce some form of weekend or holiday truck ban.
• Weight thresholds range from 3.5t (Switzerland, Greece) to 12t (Poland, Bulgaria).
• Germany bans trucks every Sunday 00:00-22:00 plus summer Saturdays 07:00-20:00.
• Austria adds a nationwide night ban (22:00-05:00 daily) and strict Tirol transit controls.
• Italy has 79 banned days in 2026.
• Fines can hit the shipper harder than the driver (Germany: EUR 570 shipper vs EUR 120 driver).
• Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden have no general weekend truck bans.

Country-by-Country Breakdown

Germany

Legal basis: StVO Section 30(3) + Ferienreiseverordnung (FerReiseV)

• Sunday & public holiday ban: 00:00 to 22:00 on ALL public roads (trucks >7.5t)
• Summer Saturday ban: July 1 – August 31, every Saturday 07:00-20:00 on designated routes
• Exemptions: Combined transport (max 200 km), perishable goods, newspapers, humanitarian aid
• Penalties: EUR 120 (driver), EUR 570 (shipper)

Austria

• Sunday & public holiday ban: 00:00-22:00 for trucks >7.5t
• Night ban (nationwide): 22:00-05:00 daily for trucks >7.5t
• Tirol transit restrictions: Sectoral ban on A12, flow control at Brenner corridor
• Penalties: From EUR 300

France

• Weekend ban: Saturday 22:00 to Sunday 22:00 for trucks >7.5t
• Exemptions: Perishable goods, livestock, combined transport
• Penalties: From EUR 750 (among the highest in Europe)

Italy

79 banned days in 2026. Standard ban: Sundays and holidays 09:00-22:00 for trucks >7.5t. Summer (Jun-Sep): starts at 07:00 with additional Saturdays banned. International transit gets a 2-hour grace period.

Poland

• Scope: Trucks >12 tonnes (higher threshold)
• Sunday & public holiday ban: 08:00 to 22:00
• Penalties: From PLN 200 (~EUR 45) — among the lowest in Europe

Switzerland

• Scope: ALL vehicles >3.5t (strictest threshold)
• Sunday ban: Full 24 hours (00:00-24:00)
• Night ban: 22:00-05:00 daily
• Penalties: From CHF 500 (~EUR 460)

Comparison Table: Driving Bans at a Glance

Common Exemptions

1. Perishable goods (fresh meat, dairy, fish, fruit, vegetables). Vehicles must typically be ATP-certified.
2. Combined transport (containers/swap bodies, rail-road or road-water intermodal). Germany: max 200 km road leg.
3. Live animals — exempt in most countries.
4. Newspapers and periodicals — exempt in Germany and others.
5. Humanitarian aid — requires special permit.

FAQ

Which countries have weekend truck bans?

Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Croatia, Romania (route-specific), Bulgaria (holiday-specific), Greece (holiday-specific) and Spain (date-based). Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden have no general weekend bans.

What is the penalty for violating a truck driving ban?

Fines range from PLN 200 in Poland (~EUR 45) to EUR 750+ in France. In Germany, the shipper pays EUR 570 while the driver pays EUR 120. Switzerland: CHF 500 (~EUR 460). Italy: up to EUR 1,600.

Are perishable goods always exempt?

In most countries, yes — but definitions and documentation differ. Spain requires perishable cargo to be at least 50% of payload with ATP-compliant vehicles.

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Last updated: April 2026. Always verify current restrictions with national authorities.