Summer Truck Bans Across Europe 2026

Every summer, increased tourist traffic leads to seasonal truck bans across many European countries. To improve traffic flow many European countries restrict heavy goods vehicle  traffic during weekends and holiday periods.
These restrictions affect major transit corridors and important international transport roads and mainly affect trucks over 7.5 tonnes or 12 tonnes (depending on the country).

Good planning helps avoid unnecessary waiting time and costly disruptions, that is why we would like to present bans in many main european countries which can help to organise better routes for drivers.

Poland

In Poland, summer restrictions apply to vehicles and combinations over 12 tonnes.

Ban period:

26 June – 30 August 2026

Restricted hours:

  • Fridays: 18:00 – 22:00
  • Saturdays: 08:00 – 14:00
  • Sundays: 08:00 – 22:00

Exemptions include:

  • perishable goods
  • medicines and medical supplies
  • fuel transport
  • live animals
  • rescue and humanitarian transport

Special exemptions also apply to selected international transport operations.

Austria

Austria introduces strict seasonal controls, especially on key transit routes.

Brenner Corridor (A12 and A13)

Since 2 June, trucks over 7.5 tonnes face restrictions on major routes toward Italy.

Tyrol diversion routes

From 4 July – 29 August 2026

Every Saturday:

08:00 – 15:00

Affected roads:

  • B178
  • B179
  • B181
  • B182

These routes are often used to bypass motorway congestion.

A4 toward Hungary

From 4 July – 5 September 2026

Every Saturday:

08:00 – 15:00

Restricted section:
Schwechat – Nickelsdorf border

Germany

Germany applies summer driving bans on many important motorway sections.

Ban period:

1 July – 31 August 2026

Every Saturday:

07:00 – 20:00

Restrictions apply to:

  • trucks over 7.5 tonnes
  • trucks with trailers used for commercial freight transport

Major affected motorways include:

  • A1
  • A2
  • A3
  • A5
  • A6
  • A7
  • A8
  • A9
  • A45
  • A61

Germany remains one of the most important countries for European transit, so these restrictions can significantly affect transport planning.

Czechia

Ban period:

1 July – 31 August 2026

Applies to trucks over 7.5 tonnes on:

  • motorways
  • expressways
  • first-class roads

Restricted hours:

  • Fridays: 17:00 – 21:00
  • Saturdays: 07:00 – 13:00
  • Sundays & public holidays: 13:00 – 22:00

Slovakia

Ban period:

1 July – 31 August 2026

For vehicles over 7.5 tonnes

Every Saturday:

07:00 – 19:00

Hungary

Hungary applies summer restrictions throughout July and August.

Restrictions:

  • Saturday 15:00 → Sunday 22:00
  • additional public holiday bans

Many motorways and national roads are affected.

France

France adds additional nationwide summer restrictions for trucks over 7.5 tonnes.

Extra ban dates:

  • 11 July
  • 18 July
  • 25 July
  • 1 August
  • 8 August

Restricted hours:

07:00 – 19:00

Exemptions include:

  • live animals
  • perishable goods
  • agricultural products
  • medical transport
  • equipment for events and media

France requires careful planning during peak holiday weeks.

Italy

Italy has one of the most extensive summer truck ban schedules in Europe.

Restrictions apply to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

In addition to the standard Sunday ban:

Every Sunday:

07:00 – 22:00

Additional bans apply on selected Fridays and Saturdays throughout July and August.

Key restriction dates:

July

  • 4 July
  • 11 July
  • 18 July
  • 24 July
  • 25 July
  • 31 July

August

  • 1 August
  • 7 August
  • 8 August
  • 14 August
  • 15 August
  • 22 August
  • 29 August

Transport to and through Italy should be planned with extra caution during summer.

Bulgaria

Summer restrictions are already in force.

Ban period:

1 June – 15 September 2026

Applies to vehicles over 12 tonnes on selected routes.

Romania

Ban period:

1 July – 31 August 2026

Restrictions apply mainly on:

  • A2 motorway (Bucharest – Constanța)
  • DN39 toward the Black Sea

Heavy tourist traffic in coastal regions can significantly affect transit times.

Slovenia

Besides the regular Sunday restriction:

Every Sunday:

08:00 – 22:00

Additional summer bans apply from late June to early September.

Saturdays:

08:00 – 13:00

 

The summer period is always challenging for road transport. That is why companies that prepare early, can minimize delays and keep operations efficient.