Truck Driving Bans in Europe in July 2026
July is the month when Europe’s web of driving bans tightens the most in the whole year. Countries that restrict truck traffic only on Sundays for most of the year add Saturdays, Friday afternoons and heat bans in July. Germany switches on the summer holiday ban from 1 July, France and Italy publish separate Saturday calendars, and Poland already operates the full holiday regime of Friday, Saturday, Sunday. On top of this come the July public holidays (Cyril and Methodius on 5 July in Czechia and Slovakia, Jan Hus on 6 July in Czechia, the French national holiday on 14 July). Below you will find a breakdown for every European country, with a full enumeration of hours, tonnage and exceptions.
Days of the week in July 2026: Saturdays 4, 11, 18, 25, Sundays 5, 12, 19, 26, Fridays 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. 1 July falls on a Wednesday.
Ban map, a quick overview of countries with bans in July 2026
| Country | Tonnage | Bans in July 2026 | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | >12 t | Fri 18:00-22:00; Sat 08:00-14:00; Sun 08:00-22:00 (all July) | food, live animals, combined transport |
| Germany | >7.5 t | Sun 00:00-22:00; Saturdays (1.07-31.08) 07:00-20:00 on selected motorways | food, live animals |
| Italy | >7.5 t | Sun 07:00-22:00; Sat 08:00-16:00; Fri 24.07 16:00-22:00; Fri 31.07 07:00-22:00 | food, fuel, ADR |
| France | >7.5 t | Sat 22:00-Sun 22:00; Saturdays 11/18/25.07 07:00-19:00; 14.07 (holiday) | food, fuel, live animals |
| Austria | >7.5 t (trailers >3.5 t) | Sun 00:00-22:00; night 22:00-05:00; sectoral Brenner Saturdays | food, live animals, combined transport |
| Czechia | >7.5 t | Sun/holidays 13:00-22:00; 5 and 6.07 13:00-22:00; summer Saturdays 07:00-13:00 | food, live animals |
| Slovakia | >7.5 t (with trailer >3.5 t) | Sun/holidays 00:00-22:00; 5.07 00:00-22:00; summer Saturdays 07:00-19:00 | food, live animals |
| Hungary | >7.5 t | Sat 22:00-Sun 22:00; summer Saturdays from 15:00; night | food, live animals, transit with vignette |
| Slovenia | >7.5 t | Sun/holidays 08:00-21:00; summer Saturdays 08:00-13:00 | food, live animals |
| Croatia | >7.5 t | Sat 04:00-14:00; Sun/holidays 12:00-23:00 (15.06-15.09) | food, live animals, fuel |
| Bulgaria | >12 t | Sun 14:00-20:00; Fridays before holidays 17:00-20:00 | food, live animals, military |
| Romania | >7.5 t | Weekends on selected roads 06:00-22:00; DN1 year-round; heat bans | food, live animals |
| Greece | >3.5 t | Fri 15:00/16:00-22:00; Sat/Sun 08:00-22:00 (outbound direction) | ATP food, live animals |
| Spain | >7.5 t | Selected outbound routes; ADR Sun/holidays 08:00-24:00 | no nationwide ban |
| Switzerland | >3.5 t | Sun 00:00-24:00; night 22:00-05:00 | urgent medical deliveries, military |
| Liechtenstein | >3.5 t | Sun 00:00-24:00; night 22:00-05:00 | as Switzerland |
| Luxembourg | >7.5 t | Sat 21:30-Sun 21:45 | food, fuel |
| Montenegro | >5 t | Mon-Fri 19:00-24:00; Sat-Sun 17:00-24:00 (15.06-15.09) | tourist routes |
Poland
Legal basis: Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on periodic restrictions and bans on the movement of certain types of vehicles on roads (Journal of Laws).
Applies to: vehicles and combinations of vehicles with a GVW over 12 tonnes.
Full holiday regime (all of July 2026)
From the last Friday of June to the last Sunday before the start of the school year, an extended seasonal ban applies. In July 2026 it runs without interruption, on all public roads:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday | 18:00-22:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00-14:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00-22:00 |
July Fridays: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. July Saturdays: 4, 11, 18, 25. July Sundays: 5, 12, 19, 26.
Exceptions in Poland
The ban does not apply to vehicles carrying:
- perishable goods (foodstuffs requiring refrigeration)
- live animals
- goods in combined transport
- fuels, life-saving medicines, military and emergency vehicles
Penalties: from 500 to 10,000 PLN, depending on the type of violation and the inspecting authority.
Warsaw, additional transit ban
Vehicles with a GVW over 16 tonnes have a round-the-clock transit ban through the centre of Warsaw, except vehicles serving deliveries to facilities within the zone. To avoid penalties, it is worth combining route planning with a telematics system for the transport fleet, which keeps track of zones and time windows in real time.
Germany
Legal basis: § 30 Abs. 3 and 4 StVO (Straßenverkehrsordnung) and the Ferienreiseverordnung (FerReiseV).
Applies to: trucks with a GVW over 7.5 tonnes and vehicles with a trailer.
Sunday and holiday ban (nationwide)
On all public roads in Germany:
- every Sunday: 00:00-22:00
Sundays in July 2026: 5, 12, 19, 26. In July 2026 there are no nationwide holidays in Germany causing an additional ban.
Summer holiday ban (Ferienreiseverordnung)
From 1 July to 31 August, every Saturday has a ban for vehicles over 7.5 t and vehicles with a trailer between 07:00 and 20:00, but only on designated, most heavily loaded sections of motorways and federal roads.
Saturdays covered in July 2026: 4, 11, 18, 25.
The most important sections covered by the ban (in both directions):
| Motorway | Route (approximate) |
|---|---|
| A1 | Cologne, Wuppertal, Münster, Osnabrück |
| A2 | Oberhausen, Bad Oeynhausen |
| A3 | Oberhausen, Cologne, Frankfurt, Nuremberg |
| A5 | Hattenbach, Karlsruhe, Basel |
| A6 | Mannheim, Nuremberg |
| A7 | Hamburg, Füssen |
| A8 | Karlsruhe, Salzburg |
| A9 | Munich, Berlin |
| A45 | Dortmund, Aschaffenburg |
| A61 | Mönchengladbach, Speyer |
| A81 | Würzburg, Singen |
| A92, A93, A95, A99 | Munich area and Inntal |
| B31, B96/E251 | selected sections of federal roads |
Night ban on selected sections
On transit sections in the Alpine region (A93 Inntal towards the Brenner crossing) a year-round night ban applies for vehicles over 7.5 t between 22:00 and 05:00.
Exceptions in Germany
- perishable goods (ATP)
- live animals
- transport of raw milk and fresh fruit and vegetables
- emergency and municipal service vehicles
Italy
Legal basis: Decree of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport no. 325 of 12 December 2025 (the 2026 divieti calendar).
Applies to: trucks with a GVW over 7.5 tonnes, outside built-up areas.
Bans in July 2026, detailed calendar
| Date | Day | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 4 July | Saturday | 08:00-16:00 |
| 5 July | Sunday | 07:00-22:00 |
| 11 July | Saturday | 08:00-16:00 |
| 12 July | Sunday | 07:00-22:00 |
| 18 July | Saturday | 08:00-16:00 |
| 19 July | Sunday | 07:00-22:00 |
| 24 July | Friday | 16:00-22:00 |
| 25 July | Saturday | 08:00-16:00 |
| 26 July | Sunday | 07:00-22:00 |
| 31 July | Friday | 07:00-22:00 |
Note: in the summer season (June to September) the Sunday ban starts earlier, from 07:00 rather than 09:00 as in winter. Friday 31 July has an extended ban 07:00-22:00, because it opens the peak of departures for early August.
Exceptions in Italy
- perishable goods (ATP)
- fuels and energy carriers
- selected ADR categories
- emergency and military vehicles
When planning the Italian corridor, also check our overview of road tolls in Italy, because combining motorway rates with the divieti calendar directly affects the profitability of the route.
France
Legal basis: Order of 16 April 2021 (general regime) and order of 26 December 2025 (complementary restrictions for 2026).
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes PTAC.
Weekend and holiday ban (permanent)
On the entire metropolitan road network:
- weekend: Saturday 22:00 to Sunday 22:00
- holidays: from 22:00 the day before to 22:00 on the holiday
- if a holiday falls on a Saturday, the ban covers the full day 00:00-24:00
July 2026, bans
| Date | Nature | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 4 July (Sat) | Standard weekend ban | Sat 22:00-Sun 22:00 |
| 5 July (Sun) | Sunday | until 22:00 |
| 11 July (Sat) | National summer ban | 07:00-19:00 + weekend 22:00-Sun 22:00 |
| 13-14 July | National holiday (14.07) | Mon 13.07 22:00 to Tue 14.07 22:00 |
| 18 July (Sat) | National summer ban | 07:00-19:00 + weekend |
| 25 July (Sat) | National summer ban | 07:00-19:00 + weekend |
Important: the national summer Saturday ban 07:00-19:00 applies on 11, 18 and 25 July (and on 1 and 8 August). Saturday 4 July has no daytime ban, only the standard weekend ban from 22:00 applies then. 14 July (Tuesday) is the Fête nationale, so the full holiday ban applies.
Alsace and Moselle
In the departments of Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle, additional local bans apply on Good Friday and the second day of Christmas, which does not affect July, but is worth remembering when planning cross-border routes.
Exceptions in France
- perishable goods (ATP)
- live animals
- fuels and gas
- emergency and military vehicles
Austria
Legal basis: STVO § 42 and sectoral regulations for Tyrol.
Applies to: trucks over 7.5 tonnes and combinations with semi-trailers and trailers with a GVW over 3.5 tonnes.
Permanent ban, night
On all motorways and expressways throughout the year:
- 22:00-05:00, night ban
Sunday and holiday ban
- every Sunday: 00:00-22:00
Sundays in July 2026: 5, 12, 19, 26. In July 2026 there are no nationwide holidays in Austria.
Sectoral and Saturday bans, Brenner corridor (A12 Inntal, A13 Brennerautobahn)
At the peak of the holiday season, the A12 and A13 have additional sectoral bans (for selected groups of goods) and Saturday transit restrictions in the windows 07:00-15:00. Tyrol also regularly introduces truck traffic metering (Blockabfertigung) at the Brenner crossing, which in July results in many hours of queues at the entry.
Exceptions in Austria
- perishable goods (ATP)
- live animals
- combined transport (rail, sea)
- emergency and military vehicles
Penalties: up to 5,000 EUR per violation.
Czechia
Legal basis: Act No. 361/2000 Coll. on road traffic.
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Sunday and holiday ban (year-round)
- Sundays and holidays: 13:00-22:00
July 2026, holiday bans
| Date | Day/Occasion | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5 July | Sunday + Cyril and Methodius | 13:00-22:00 |
| 6 July | Monday, Jan Hus Day | 13:00-22:00 |
| 12 July | Sunday | 13:00-22:00 |
| 19 July | Sunday | 13:00-22:00 |
| 26 July | Sunday | 13:00-22:00 |
In Czechia 5 and 6 July are public holidays, so both are covered by the ban 13:00-22:00.
Summer Friday and Saturday bans (July to August)
- Fridays: 17:00-21:00
- Saturdays: 07:00-13:00
Applies to selected sections of motorways and class I roads (including D1, D2, D5, D8, D11).
Exceptions in Czechia
- perishable goods
- live animals
- fuels
Slovakia
Legal basis: Act No. 8/2009 Coll. on road traffic.
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (combinations with trailers and semi-trailers over 3.5 tonnes).
Sunday and holiday ban (year-round)
- Sundays and holidays: 00:00-22:00
July 2026, bans
| Date | Day/Occasion | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 5 July | Sunday + Cyril and Methodius | 00:00-22:00 |
| 12 July | Sunday | 00:00-22:00 |
| 19 July | Sunday | 00:00-22:00 |
| 26 July | Sunday | 00:00-22:00 |
5 July is a public holiday in Slovakia (Sviatok svätého Cyrila a Metoda). 6 July is not a Slovak holiday.
Summer Saturday bans (July to August)
- Saturdays: 07:00-19:00 on selected sections (including D1, D2, R1).
Ban on class III roads (year-round)
An additional round-the-clock ban for combinations over 3.5 t on class III (local) roads.
Exceptions in Slovakia
- perishable goods
- live animals
- fuels
Hungary
Legal basis: Decree 5/1990. (IV. 12.) KöHÉM.
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Weekend ban (year-round)
- Saturday 22:00 to Sunday 22:00 (effectively 24 hours over the weekend)
Summer Saturday ban (holiday season)
In the holiday period the weekend ban starts earlier:
- Saturdays: from 15:00 (instead of from 22:00)
July Saturdays covered: 4, 11, 18, 25 from 15:00.
Night ban
On selected sections of national roads a year-round night ban applies 22:00-06:00.
July 2026
Hungary has no nationwide holidays in July. The bans result from the weekend and summer regime.
Exceptions in Hungary
- perishable goods
- live animals
- transit with a valid vignette in designated corridors
Slovenia
Legal basis: Road Traffic Rules Act (ZPrCP).
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Sunday and holiday ban (year-round)
- Sundays and holidays: 08:00-21:00
Summer Saturday bans (last weekend of June to first weekend of September)
- Saturdays: 08:00-13:00
July Saturdays covered: 4, 11, 18, 25.
July 2026
| Date | Day | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 4, 11, 18, 25 July | Saturday | 08:00-13:00 |
| 5, 12, 19, 26 July | Sunday | 08:00-21:00 |
In July 2026 there are no nationwide holidays in Slovenia.
Exceptions in Slovenia
- perishable goods
- live animals
- fuels
- emergency vehicles
Croatia
Legal basis: Road Traffic Safety Act, NN (Narodne novine).
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and combinations over 14 metres in length.
Summer bans (15 June to 15 September 2026)
On selected main roads and motorways (coastal directions):
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 04:00-14:00 |
| Sunday and holidays | 12:00-23:00 |
July Saturdays: 4, 11, 18, 25 (04:00-14:00). July Sundays: 5, 12, 19, 26 (12:00-23:00).
In July 2026 there are no nationwide holidays in Croatia covered by a separate ban (the nearest is Victory Day on 5 August).
Exceptions in Croatia
- perishable goods
- live animals
- fuels and gas
- selected ADR classes
Bulgaria
Legal basis: Ordinance No. 11 of the Ministry of Transport, with seasonal updates.
Applies to: vehicles over 12 tonnes on motorways and class I and II roads.
Seasonal bans (1 June to 15 September)
On the main routes (Trakia A1 motorway, Hemus A2, the road to border crossings):
| Day/Situation | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 14:00-20:00 |
| Friday before a longer holiday | 17:00-20:00 |
July Sundays covered: 5, 12, 19, 26 (14:00-20:00).
Exceptions in Bulgaria
- perishable goods
- live animals
- military
Romania
Legal basis: OMTIS (Order of the Ministry of Transport) with annual updates.
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Weekend ban (selected roads)
On selected roads (DN1 E60, DN7, A2, DN22C, DN39):
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 06:00-22:00 on these sections
Special ban on DN1 (year-round)
On the DN1 (E60) section Otopeni, Ploiești, Brașov:
- Monday to Thursday: 06:00-22:00
- Friday to Sunday: 00:00-24:00 (all day)
Heat bans from 1 July
When meteorologists issue a red or orange warning, vehicles over 7.5 t are banned 10:00-21:00 on motorways and national roads in the indicated regions. In July, during heatwaves, this is one of the most common reasons for forced stops.
Exceptions in Romania
- perishable goods
- live animals
- fuels and gas
- emergency vehicles
Greece
Legal basis: Joint Ministerial Decision (ΦΕΚ 2026).
Applies to: vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on selected motorways and national roads.
Seasonal bans, two sets of sections
From 13 June to 6 September 2026
On the roads: A5 (Ionian Road), A7 (Peloponnese, towards Kalamata), A11 (Schimatari, Chalkida), A71 (Lefktro, Sparta), the Preveza, Igoumenitsa road, the Rio, Antirrio bridge.
Ban: Fridays 16:00-21:00, Saturdays and Sundays 08:00-22:00 (outbound direction).
From 1 July to 31 August 2026 (additional sections)
On the roads: Ioannina, Arta, Antirrio, the Thessaloniki, Kavala national road, A3 (towards Kalambaka), A52 (towards Aktio), the Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki road (EO16).
Ban: Fridays 15:00-22:00, Saturdays and Sundays 08:00-22:00.
July Fridays covered: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. July Saturdays and Sundays: all.
Exceptions in Greece
- ATP vehicles (perishable goods)
- tankers with fruit and vegetables
- transport of medical oxygen
- emergency vehicles
Spain
Legal basis: Resolution of the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) for 2026.
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (MMA or combination); ADR from 3.5 t.
No nationwide Sunday ban
Spain does not apply a nationwide Sunday driving ban for standard loads.
Bans for ADR (dangerous goods), year-round
On national roads (except Catalonia, the Basque Country and Navarre, which have their own rules):
- Sundays and holidays: 08:00-24:00
- the day before a holiday: 13:00-24:00
Summer bans on selected outbound routes
In July, on Saturdays and Sundays, on the outbound routes from large metropolitan areas, restrictions apply for vehicles over 7.5 t (outbound direction), including:
| Route | Direction | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A-3 (Madrid, Valencia) | Valencia | 15:00-24:00 (Saturdays) |
| A-4 (Madrid, Cadiz) | South | 15:00-24:00 (Saturdays) |
| A-7 (Mediterranean) | South | 15:00-24:00 (Saturdays) |
| A-42, A-5 | exit from Madrid | selected windows |
Exceptions in Spain
- perishable goods (ATP)
- live animals
- emergency vehicles
- combined transport
Portugal
Legal basis: ANSR (Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária).
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Portugal does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for trucks with standard loads. Restrictions concern:
- ADR transport on selected routes on holidays and their eves,
- the centres of Lisbon and Porto, where zones with an entry ban apply for vehicles over 2.6 tonnes during peak hours.
Switzerland
Legal basis: Art. 91 and 92 VRV (Verkehrsregelverordnung).
Applies to: vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (combinations with trailers over 5 tonnes).
Permanent bans
On all public roads throughout the year:
- Sundays and holidays: 00:00-24:00
- night (every): 22:00-05:00
Sundays in July 2026: 5, 12, 19, 26. The Swiss national holiday (1 August) falls outside July.
Exceptions in Switzerland
- urgent medical and emergency deliveries
- military
- infrastructure service vehicles
Penalties: up to 10,000 CHF.
Liechtenstein
Legal basis: reference to Swiss regulations.
Applies to: vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Liechtenstein applies identical rules to Switzerland:
- Sundays and holidays: 00:00-24:00
- night: 22:00-05:00
July 2026: Sundays 5, 12, 19, 26 are covered by a round-the-clock ban.
Luxembourg
Legal basis: Grand-ducal regulation with annual updates.
Applies to: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Weekend ban (year-round)
- Saturday 21:30 to Sunday 21:45 (effectively the entire 24 hours of the weekend)
July 2026
In July 2026 there are no nationwide holidays in Luxembourg (the National Day falls on 23 June). Only the weekend ban applies, on Sundays 5, 12, 19, 26.
Exceptions in Luxembourg
- perishable goods (ATP)
- fuels
- emergency vehicles
Belgium
Legal basis: Royal Decree on traffic.
Applies to: mainly special and oversize transport.
Belgium does not apply a nationwide Sunday or holiday ban for standard trucks. The following do apply:
- peak bans in cities (Antwerp and others): 06:00-09:00 and 16:00-21:00,
- a ban on oversize transport wider than 4 metres around the clock,
- a weekend ban for oversize loads: Saturday 12:00 to Sunday 24:00.
21 July is the Belgian national holiday, but it does not generate a general ban for standard trucks.
Netherlands
Legal basis: RVV 1990 (Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens).
Applies to: depends on the zone and vehicle category.
The Netherlands does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks. The key restrictions are:
- low emission zones (LEZ) in cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague), year-round and around the clock,
- restrictions for ADR in selected tunnels.
Denmark
Legal basis: Færdselsloven (Road Traffic Act).
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Denmark does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for trucks. In July the important points are:
- Øresund bridge: a ban for ADR category E daily 06:00-23:00,
- heat ban: in the period 15 June to 31 August, when the temperature exceeds 25°C, oversize transport is banned 12:00-18:00,
- Storebælt bridge: transports of 100-350 t or wider than 4.5 m require permission.
Sweden
Legal basis: Trafikförordning (SFS 1998:1276).
Applies to: vehicles wider than 3.10 m (with the load).
Sweden does not apply general Sunday bans for standard trucks. Restrictions concern wide vehicles on selected main roads, including:
- Sundays and holidays 12:00-20:00 for vehicles over 3.10 m,
- the day before a Sunday or holiday 10:00-18:00.
On the Øresund bridge a ban for ADR category E applies 06:00-23:00, just as on the Danish side.
Norway
Legal basis: Vegtrafikkloven.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Norway does not apply nationwide Sunday, holiday or night bans. In July the important points are tunnel procedures (escort for ADR and oversize loads) and local time windows in narrow single-lane tunnels.
Finland
Legal basis: Tieliikennelaki.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Finland does not apply any nationwide Sunday, holiday or night bans. In July the spring thaw restrictions are already inactive across the whole territory.
Estonia
Legal basis: Liiklusseadus.
Applies to: no general bans; restrictions for ADR.
Estonia does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks. ADR vehicles have restrictions on selected urban routes on working days.
Latvia
Legal basis: Ceļu satiksmes likums.
Applies to: no general bans; peak bans in Riga.
Latvia does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. In Riga a ban applies for vehicles over 5 tonnes between 07:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00 (Monday to Friday).
Lithuania
Legal basis: Kelių eismo taisyklės.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Lithuania does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks. 6 July is Statehood Day, a public holiday, but it does not generate a general road ban for trucks.
Montenegro
Legal basis: Road Traffic Safety Act.
Applies to: vehicles over 5 tonnes on tourist routes.
Seasonal summer bans (15 June to 15 September 2026)
On key tourist routes:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 19:00-24:00 |
| Saturday to Sunday | 17:00-24:00 |
The R-1 Kotor, Trojica, Krstac road has a year-round permanent ban for vehicles over 7.5 t.
Serbia
Legal basis: Road Traffic Safety Act.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Serbia does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. EU carriers must, however, strictly observe the 90 days of stay in the Schengen area per 180 days limit, which is enforced by the EES system on return to the EU.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal basis: Road Traffic Safety Act of BiH.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. On Corridor Vc (E73) in July there is heavy tourist traffic, which translates into temporary disruptions.
North Macedonia
Legal basis: Road Traffic Safety Act.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
North Macedonia does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks.
Albania
Legal basis: Road Code of the Republic of Albania.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Albania does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. In July the coastal routes (Durrës, Vlora) are heavily loaded with tourist traffic.
Kosovo
Legal basis: Law No. 04/L-071 on Road Traffic.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Kosovo does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks.
Moldova
Legal basis: Road Code of the Republic of Moldova.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Moldova does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. In July local heat bans may apply on national roads during heatwaves.
Ukraine
Legal basis: Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 879 (protection of national roads).
Applies to: vehicles with an actual gross weight over 24 tonnes and an axle load over 7 tonnes.
Seasonal heat bans (summer 2026)
The ban activates automatically when the air temperature exceeds +28°C:
| Region | Ban hours |
|---|---|
| Odesa Oblast | 10:00-20:00 |
| Zakarpattia Oblast | 10:00-22:00 |
| Other oblasts | set locally |
In July, at the peak of the heat, this is the most common reason for forced stops on Ukrainian routes.
Exceptions in Ukraine
- dangerous goods (ADR)
- perishable goods
- live animals and poultry
- emergency, military and dual-use vehicles
Belarus
Legal basis: Road Traffic Act of the Republic of Belarus; decrees regulating the movement of foreign carriers.
Legal situation for EU carriers
Belarus maintains restrictions for EU carriers. Vehicles registered in EU countries may enter and exit only via the border crossing adjacent to the vehicle’s country of registration. Vehicles detained in Belarus may be subject to a parking fee under threat of confiscation.
Recommendation: carriers from Poland and Lithuania should avoid transit through Belarus in July 2026 or consult the route with a transport lawyer before entry.
Turkey
Legal basis: Highway Traffic Law; decisions of local governors.
Applies to: vehicles over a certain tonnage on selected routes.
Permanent ban on the İstanbul bridges
Trucks may use only the Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge (the 3rd bridge). The 15 Temmuz Şehitler (Bosphorus) and Fatih Sultan Mehmet (2nd bridge) have a permanent ban for trucks.
July 2026
In July 2026 the movable Kurban Bayramı holiday does not occur (it fell in June). Local governors may, however, introduce seasonal bans on mountain and coastal roads (the Karadeniz Sahil Yolu route) during traffic peaks.
United Kingdom
Legal basis: Road Vehicles (Driving Restrictions) Regulations 1992.
Applies to: no nationwide Sunday or holiday bans.
The United Kingdom does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks. In London the low emission zone (LEZ) and ULEZ apply, as well as night bans for vehicles over 18 tonnes in selected boroughs.
Ireland
Legal basis: Road Traffic Acts.
Applies to: mainly urban restrictions.
Ireland does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. In Dublin a transit ban applies for vehicles over 5 axles (HGV management strategy) between 07:00-19:00 without a special permit.
Iceland
Legal basis: Umferðarlög.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Iceland does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. The F mountain roads are inaccessible for heavy vehicles, and transport runs along the edge of the island.
Malta
Legal basis: Traffic Regulation Ordinance (Cap. 65).
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Malta does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans. Truck traffic is effectively limited by the network of narrow local roads.
Cyprus
Legal basis: Road Safety Law.
Applies to: no general bans for standard loads.
Cyprus does not apply nationwide Sunday or holiday bans for standard trucks.
Andorra
Legal basis: Traffic Code of Andorra.
Applies to: infrastructure restrictions.
Andorra does not apply general Sunday bans for trucks, but the Pyrenean roads are narrow and winding, unsuitable for combinations over 13.6 m.
Monaco, San Marino, Vatican
These microstates do not apply separate Sunday bans for standard trucks. Deliveries are made in time windows agreed with recipients. Transit through San Marino on routes to Italy runs without time restrictions.
Consolidated calendar of bans in July 2026
| Date | Day | Countries with a ban |
|---|---|---|
| 3 July | Fri | PL (18-22), GR (season, Fri 15/16-22), IT (weekend starts from Saturday) |
| 4 July | Sat | PL (08-14), DE (07-20 selected A), IT (08-16), FR (weekend from 22:00), AT (Brenner), SK (07-19), CZ (07-13), HU (from 15:00), SI (08-13), HR (04-14), GR (08-22) |
| 5 July | Sun | PL (08-22), DE (00-22), IT (07-22), FR (until 22:00), AT (00-22), CZ (Cyril and Methodius 13-22), SK (Cyril and Methodius 00-22), HU (until 22:00), SI (08-21), HR (12-23), BG (14-20), CH (00-24), LI (00-24), LU (weekend), RO (selected 06-22), GR (08-22) |
| 6 July | Mon | CZ (Jan Hus 13-22); MNE (19-24) |
| 10 July | Fri | PL (18-22), GR (Fri 15/16-22) |
| 11 July | Sat | As 4 July + FR national summer ban 07-19 |
| 12 July | Sun | As 5 July (without CZ/SK holidays) |
| 13-14 July | Mon-Tue | FR national holiday (Mon 22:00 to Tue 22:00) |
| 17 July | Fri | PL (18-22), GR (Fri 15/16-22) |
| 18 July | Sat | As 4 July + FR national summer ban 07-19 |
| 19 July | Sun | As 5 July (without CZ/SK holidays) |
| 21 July | Tue | BE national holiday (no general ban) |
| 24 July | Fri | PL (18-22), IT (16-22), GR (Fri 15/16-22) |
| 25 July | Sat | As 4 July + FR national summer ban 07-19 |
| 26 July | Sun | As 5 July (without CZ/SK holidays) |
| 31 July | Fri | PL (18-22), IT (07-22), GR (Fri 15/16-22) |
Common exceptions, a summary
Regardless of the country, the following categories of vehicles are most often exempt from all bans:
- Transport of perishable goods (ATP), food requiring controlled temperature
- Transport of live animals
- Transport of fuels and energy carriers
- Transport of life-saving medicines and medical supplies
- Emergency and rescue service vehicles
- Military vehicles
- Combined transport (rail-road, sea-road)
- Vehicles with an active priority order (in some countries)
Each country has its own conditions for qualifying for an exception. Before departure, always check whether a given load meets the exemption criteria in the specific country, and prepare the documentation (ATP certificate, CMR with a description of the goods).
How to manage summer bans, a checklist for the dispatcher
At the peak of the season the margin for error is minimal, because the ban overlaps with holiday traffic jams and full car parks. Working with a telematics system for the transport fleet, you can monitor vehicle positions and plan routes taking time windows into account. Key steps:
- Check whether the loading or unloading date falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or a July holiday (5, 6, 14 July)
- Identify all transit countries and their tonnage thresholds (7.5 t, 12 t, 3.5 t in Switzerland)
- For Germany, France and Italy check the specific Saturday in the summer calendar
- Verify whether the load qualifies for an exception (ATP, live animals, fuel)
- Check the special sections (Brenner, Inntal, Øresund, İstanbul bridges, coastal corridors)
- Account for the heat bans (Romania, Ukraine, Denmark) during heatwaves
- Reserve a parking spot in advance, because rest areas fill up early in July
- Combine ban planning with driver working time settlement, to use the stop during a ban as a rest period
Penalties for violating the bans, a summary
| Country | Penalty (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Austria | up to 5,000 EUR |
| Germany | 75-570 EUR (depending on the vehicle) |
| Switzerland | up to 10,000 CHF |
| Poland | 500-10,000 PLN |
| France | 135-750 EUR |
| Italy | 430-1,731 EUR |
| Croatia | approx. 270 EUR |
| Czechia | up to 2,000 EUR (for the company) |
| Slovakia | up to 1,600 EUR |
| Hungary | up to 300,000 HUF (approx. 750 EUR) |
Bibliography and legal sources
- Poland: Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on periodic restrictions and traffic bans (Journal of Laws); GDDKiA
- Germany: § 30 StVO; Ferienreiseverordnung (FerReiseV); BALM, Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität
- Austria: STVO § 42; ASFINAG
- Italy: MIT decree no. 325 of 12 December 2025 (calendario divieti 2026); Autostrade per l’Italia
- France: order of 16 April 2021 and order of 26 December 2025; Bison Futé
- Switzerland: Art. 91-92 VRV; ASTRA
- Czechia: Act No. 361/2000 Coll.; MDČR
- Slovakia: Act No. 8/2009 Coll.; MDV SR
- Hungary: Decree 5/1990. (IV. 12.) KöHÉM
- Slovenia: ZPrCP; DARS
- Croatia: Road Traffic Safety Act; HAK
- Bulgaria: Ordinance No. 11; API
- Romania: OMTIS; CNAIR
- Greece: Joint Ministerial Decision (ΦΕΚ 2026)
- Spain: DGT Resolution 2026; DGT
- Ukraine: Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 879
- Denmark, Sweden: Vejdirektoratet, Trafikverket
- Montenegro: Transport Administration
Related articles
When planning summer transport across Europe, also see:
- Truck driving bans in Poland and Europe in June 2026
- Truck driving bans, May long weekend 2026 Europe
- Truck driving bans, Easter 2026
- Road tolls in Germany for trucks 2026, the complete guide
- Tachographs in vans from 1 July 2026, how to prepare the fleet
Do you have questions about a specific route across Europe in July? Contact us, and we will help select telematics and plan the journey in line with the ban calendar.
