Truck traffic ban in Poland during the May 2026 weekend: what hours apply?

In Poland, restrictions apply to vehicles and combinations with a GVW over 12 tonnes (buses are exempt). For the 2026 May weekend, key windows are: April 30 (18:00-22:00), May 1 (08:00-22:00), May 2 (18:00-22:00), and May 3 (08:00-22:00). In practice, these are four blocks that must be integrated into the driver’s work plan and loading/unloading windows.

Who is not covered by the truck driving ban in Poland during the May weekend?

Bans do not apply to buses and selected types of special transport. The most common exceptions include the transport of medicines and medical supplies, perishable goods, live animals, fuels, rescue operations, and emergency repairs. If you are driving under an exception, have a complete set of documents in the cab. This shortens inspections and reduces the risk of a forced stop.

Is there a truck driving ban in Germany on May 1, 2026?

Yes. In Germany, the Sunday and holiday ban applies to vehicles over 7.5 t GVW and combinations with trailers. For May 1 (Labor Day), it is effective from 00:00 to 22:00. This is crucial for transit through Germany, as a one-hour delay at the border can stop transport for the rest of the day.

Driving bans in Europe for May weekend 2026: which countries are the most restrictive?

In practice, the most restrictions are generated by countries with broad holiday and weekend bans. The most difficult to plan include France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary. They differ in GVW thresholds, road scope, and hours. Therefore, a plan cannot be based on a single scheme for all of Europe.

How to plan a route for April 30 - May 4, 2026, to avoid getting stuck for 2-3 days?

Start with the country that "closes" your transit window, not the starting country. Then calculate backward: travel time, required pauses, and realistic queues at borders and ramps. For the 2026 May weekend, Friday, May 1, is often the decisive factor. If you do not cross a key section before 00:00, you could lose an entire day in a parking lot.

What documents and data are worth having on hand before departing for the May 2026 weekend?

Collect GVW thresholds for transit countries, ban hour windows, a list of exceptions for your cargo, and documents confirming the exception (e.g., ATP, CMR, loading/unloading confirmation). This will help you pass inspections faster and reduce the risk of a forced stop.

How to avoid a fine for driving during a ban in Europe in May 2026?

Plan the route "backward" based on the country that closes your passage. Add a buffer for queues, pauses, and parking before the ban starts. If driving under an exception, keep all documentation in the cab.

Do driving bans apply to delivery vans (bus category) up to 3.5t?

Usually, bans apply to vehicles over 7.5 t or 12 t (Poland). Vans up to 3.5 t are most often not covered by the restrictions. Always check local exceptions and city entry restrictions.

How does ONYX TMS help plan transport in Europe with a ban calendar?

ONYX TMS can overlay the ban calendar on planned routes and limit manual calculation of time windows. You see the plan in one place. The system helps select the vehicle, driver, and order sequence to minimize the risk of holiday downtime. This means less stress in dispatch and more predictability in execution.

ONYX | Truck Driving Bans - May Day 2026 in Poland and Europe [Guide]

Check the complete truck traffic ban schedule for the May 2026 long weekend. Learn how to avoid downtime in Europe and automate route planning with AI.

The May long weekend is traditionally a time for rest, but for the transport industry, it represents a period of elevated operational risk. May 2026 is a particular logistical challenge. Labor Day (May 1) falls on a Friday, and the Polish Constitution Day (May 3) on Sunday. This means a cumulative effect of traffic bans in most European countries, which can block supply chains for three, or in some cases, even four full days.

Lacking knowledge of when truck traffic bans apply in individual transit countries results in downtime, broken driver working hours, and severe fines. To facilitate route optimization, we have prepared the latest schedule of truck driving bans in Europe for the period from April 30 to May 4, 2026.

May 2026: Where and When Will Trucks Not Move? (30.04 - 04.05.2026)

This analysis covers over 40 European countries. Note that Labor Day (May 1) is celebrated across almost all of Europe, while May 2nd and 3rd are largely specific to the Polish calendar (though May 3rd falls on a Sunday, which is subject to standard restrictions anyway, and countries like Slovenia also celebrate May 2nd). Tonnage restrictions during this period mostly apply to vehicles over 7.5t (e.g., Germany), and in Poland to vehicles over 12t.

Albania

No national May Day bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Andorra

No road blocks.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Austria

Rigorous bans for vehicles over 7.5 t and vehicles with trailers.

Thursday (30.04): No daytime restrictions (standard night ban 22:00-05:00 applies).
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-22:00 (Labor Day).
Saturday (02.05): Ban 15:00-24:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No daytime restrictions.

Belgium

No national bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Belarus

No restrictions during the May weekend.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

No restrictions for heavy transport.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Bulgaria

Restrictions mainly for vehicles over 12 t on selected routes.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 16:00-20:00 (eve of the holiday).
Friday (01.05): No general bans.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 14:00-20:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Croatia

Blocks for vehicles over 7.5 t and over 14 m on main roads.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 15:00-23:00.
Friday (01.05): Ban 14:00-23:00.
Saturday (02.05): No general restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 14:00-23:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Montenegro

No holiday restrictions.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Czech Republic

Restrictions for trucks over 7.5 t.

Thursday (30.04): No restrictions.
Friday (01.05): Ban 13:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 13:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Denmark

Traffic flows without downtime.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Estonia

No holiday bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Finland

No holiday bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

France

Some of the most rigorous rules for vehicles over 7.5 t.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 22:00-24:00.
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): Ban 22:00-24:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Greece

Bans apply to trucks over 1.5 t on selected directions.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 16:00-21:00.
Friday (01.05): No main restrictions.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 15:00-21:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Spain

Vehicles over 7.5 t. Many rules are regional (e.g., Catalonia, Basque Country).

Thursday (30.04): Possible pre-holiday restrictions.
Friday (01.05): Ban 08:00-24:00 on many sections.
Saturday (02.05): Local bans possible in the Madrid region 08:00-24:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 08:00-24:00 on selected routes.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Netherlands

No state restrictions for holidays.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Ireland

No bans for HGVs. May 4 is a May Day Bank Holiday, but without traffic bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Iceland

No tonnage restrictions.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Liechtenstein

Mirroring Swiss rules (over 3.5 t).

Thursday (30.04): No daytime restrictions (night only).
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-24:00.
Saturday (02.05): No daytime restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-24:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Lithuania

Transit without obstacles.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Luxembourg

Transit bans for vehicles over 7.5 t, direction-dependent.

Thursday (30.04): Germany direction 21:30-24:00.
Friday (01.05): Both directions (DE and FR) until 21:45.
Saturday (02.05): France direction 21:30-24:00.
Sunday (03.05): Both directions until 21:45.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Latvia

Free transport.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

North Macedonia

No May Day restrictions at the national level.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Malta

No road bans for goods transport.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Moldova

Traffic without disruptions.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Monaco

Rules analogous to France (over 7.5 t).

Thursday (30.04): Ban 22:00-24:00.
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): Ban 22:00-24:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Germany

Public holidays mean a ban for vehicles over 7.5 t and sets with trailers.

Thursday (30.04): No restrictions.
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Norway

No general weekend bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Poland

Bans apply to vehicles with a GVW over 12 tonnes.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 18:00-22:00.
Friday (01.05): Ban 08:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): Ban 18:00-22:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 08:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Portugal

Generally no general bans for HGVs with neutral cargo.

Thursday - Monday: No general bans.

Russia

No national, central May Day bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Romania

Restrictions for vehicles over 7.5 t on selected corridors.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 16:00-22:00.
Friday (01.05): Ban 06:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 06:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

San Marino

Entry rules as for Italy.

Thursday - Monday: Check Italy.

Serbia

No national blocks for trucks.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Slovakia

Restrictions for vehicles over 7.5 t.

Thursday (30.04): No restrictions.
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Slovenia

May 1 and 2 are public holidays. Ban for vehicles over 7.5 t.

Thursday (30.04): No restrictions.
Friday (01.05): Ban 08:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): Ban 08:00-22:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 08:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Switzerland

Strict approach even for vehicles over 3.5 t. Night ban is standard (22:00-05:00).

Thursday (30.04): No daytime bans (only 22:00-05:00).
Friday (01.05): 24-hour bans possible in selected cantons.
Saturday (02.05): No restrictions (night 22:00-05:00).
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-24:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

Sweden

Transport proceeds normally despite the May 1 holiday.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Ukraine

No classic holiday road bans.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions (account for local restrictions).

Vatican

Restricted zone for freight transport.

Always: Entry only with special authorization.

Hungary

Bans for vehicles over 7.5 t create long blocks.

Thursday (30.04): Ban 22:00-24:00.
Friday (01.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): Ban 22:00-24:00.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 00:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

United Kingdom

No national holiday parking bans for HGVs.

Thursday - Monday: No restrictions.

Italy

Public holidays block transit axes for vehicles over 7.5 t.

Thursday (30.04): No restrictions.
Friday (01.05): Ban 09:00-22:00.
Saturday (02.05): No central restrictions.
Sunday (03.05): Ban 09:00-22:00.
Monday (04.05): No restrictions.

The Logistical Nightmare of the May Weekend. How to Correctly Arrange the Route Schedule?

Planning international transport at the end of April and beginning of May is an operation on a living organism. One look at the list—a driver entering Poland from Germany on Thursday afternoon encounters an eve-of-holiday ban. If they reach Hungary or Slovenia, they face 2-3 days of downtime without a chance to leave the parking lot.

Forwarders are forced to manually calculate time windows between the bans of various countries, reconciling this with complex regulations on driver driving and rest times. Unfortunately, relying only on memory and Excel sheets in this work quickly results in “failed” freight.

Step into the 21st Century with ONYX TMS and Automate Planning

Maintaining order in order schedules in the face of May Day traffic bans in Europe doesn’t have to mean nerves, losses, and overtime at the desk. All legislative complexities are handled for you by the ONYX TMS software.

Here is what ONYX TMS changes in the fleet management process during the holiday period:

Built-in AI Assistance: The artificial intelligence integrated into the system never sleeps. The algorithm analyzes your order pools, available vehicle positions, and all European ban calendars in a fraction of a second. The result? AI automatically indicates the dedicated vehicle that will flawlessly carry out the indicated transport, bypassing holiday “traps.”
Fast Human Decision-making: The system works for you, not the other way around. Ready-made vehicle-load connections proposed in ONYX TMS only require final verification by a competent human. If everything is correct, you accept the operational plan for the entire long weekend with one click.
Intelligent Route Calculator: Transparency first. Before assigning a course, you check the visualization on the map in the integrated route calculator—you preview the exact vector of the vehicle movement along with designated stops for long and short pauses.

Do not entrust dispatching to chance this May 2026. Visit the ONYX TMS website and let technology bring each of your loads on time.

See more: TMS for carriers and road tolls in Europe.

Sources

Poland: “Traffic restrictions for vehicles over 12 tonnes” (GDDKiA) - https://www.gov.pl/web/gddkia/c-ograniczenia-w-ruchu-dla-pojazdow-powyzej-12-ton2
Germany: “Sonn- und Feiertagsfahrverbot” (BALM) - https://www.balm.bund.de/DE/Themen/RechtsentwicklungRechtsvorschriften/Rechtsvorschriften/Strassenverkehrsrecht/LKW-Fahrverbote/LKW-Fahrverbote.html
Austria: “Lkw Fahrverbote” (ASFINAG) - https://www.asfinag.at/verkehr-sicherheit/lkw-bus/lkw-fahrverbote/
France: “Restrictions et interdictions de circulation des poids-lourds” (Service Public) - https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F33698
Italy: “Mezzi pesanti: calendario 2026 dei divieti di circolazione stradale” (MIT) - https://www.mit.gov.it/comunicazione/news/mezzi-pesanti-calendario-2026-dei-divieti-di-circolazione-stradale
Switzerland: “Sonntags- und Nachtfahrten” (ASTRA) - https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/de/home/fachleute/fahrzeuge/sonderbewilligungen/sonntags-nachtfahrten.html

How many vehicles in your fleet are currently planned for transit through France or Germany during this May Day weekend, and would you like to see how an AI-optimized schedule could prevent them from getting stuck at the borders?

Truck Driving Bans - May Day 2026 in Poland and Europe [Guide]