Truck bans in the UK and mainland Europe

Discover the main driving bans for the transport sector for 2024. This article provides a clear overview of the current truck bans in Europe in 2024. It covers the truck bans in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, and Switzerland.

This article in 30 seconds:

• What are truck bans?
• Truck bans in the UK: unlike a lot of Europe, Sundays and public holidays don’t have driving bans. Some areas or cities do have the bans though. 
• Truck bans in Europe: Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, and Switzerland each have detailed driving bans based on factors such as weather conditions, vehicle weight, and holidays.
• Netherlands: Driving bans depend on weather conditions, vehicle size, and specific times during weekends and holidays, with a focus on safety and the environment.
• Germany: Has complex and extensive driving bans, with special attention to truck weight, the presence of a trailer, and seasonal restrictions.
• Belgium: Driving bans are similar to those in the Netherlands with additional local rush hour restrictions. There are rules for abnormal loads, especially in bad weather.
• France: General bans during weekends and holidays, with additional seasonal bans and specific exceptions for certain goods.
• Spain: Specific bans for transporting dangerous goods on Sundays and holidays, with extra rules in urban environmental zones.
• Switzerland: Strict driving bans with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) restriction, including overnight driving bans and specific holiday restrictions.

What are truck bans?

Truck driving bans are times when trucks aren’t permitted to drive. This can include public holidays, events, or additional days throughout the year. The reason countries have implemented driving bans are to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and limit noise pollution. Driving bans can be different depending on the country, so it is important to check beforehand that you are aware of the driving ban rules in each country you are travelling in. Otherwise, you may find yourself unable to drive which causes your goods to be delayed and could cost you a lot of money.

What happens if you break the rules of the truck bans?

If you break the rules of the driving bans, then you could face an on the spot fine. It is now possible for them to look at the past 28 days’ worth of tachograph information and issue a fine of up to £1,500 for any other breaches during that time. If you are found to have more than five infringements during the 28-day period, then you can be taken to court and you will not be able to use your vehicle. You can also receive an improvement notice by the Driving Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) and if you do not make changes then you can be given a prohibition notice to stop you immediately.
 

Truck bans in the UK 2024

In the UK, unlike a lot of Europe, Sundays and public holidays don’t have driving bans but some areas in London may have bans from 1 pm to 7 am. If your HGV is over 7.5 tonnes, then you may be restricted from driving on specific roads such as motorways between midnight and 10am on Sundays. Public holiday driving bans usually start from midnight and last until 6am.
 

Mainland European countries with truck bans

The specific mainland European countries covered in this article are:

1. Netherlands
2. Germany
3. Belgium
4. France
5. Spain

6. Switzerland

    

Truck bans in the Netherlands 2024

The roads in the Netherlands have various driving bans. From the bustling streets of Amsterdam to the quiet roads in Limburg, the Netherlands sets specific times when heavy traffic must pause.

Several factors need to be considered regarding Dutch driving bans:

1. Weather conditions
2. The size and weight of the truck
3. Weekends
4. Public holidays

Weather-related driving bans in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, there is a ban on trucks driving in poor visibility. If it is icy or visibility is less than 200 metres, trucks are not allowed on the road during weekends. This driving ban is valid from Saturday morning at 09:00 until Sunday at 24:00. 

When are certain HGVs not allowed to drive?

Trucks that are longer than 22 metres, wider than 3 metres, or heavier than 60 tons (60,000 kilograms) need prior permission from the Service Bureau for Exemptions. This also applies to trucks with more than 5 axles. For more information on applying for exemptions, visit the RDW website RDW - Exceptional Transport. 

These exceptional trucks are not allowed to drive during weekdays between 07:00 and 10:00, creating a daily driving ban. In the Randstad area, this ban starts even earlier, from 06:00 to 10:00. They are also prohibited from driving during the afternoon rush hour, from 16:00 to 18:00. In the Randstad, this second ban extends until 20:00. 

During weekends, these trucks are not allowed to drive from Saturday morning at 09:00 until Sunday night at 24:00. 

Are HGVs allowed to drive on public holidays? 

In the Netherlands, there are no specific driving bans for trucks during public holidays. If a national holiday falls on a weekend, heavy trucks must adhere to the general weekend bans, as well as during weekdays. 

Truck driving bans in Germany 2024

Germany has some of the most comprehensive and complex driving bans for HGV. It is important to know that the maximum allowable mass in Germany is 7.5 tonnes (7,500 kilograms). Is your HGV heavier? Then pay close attention. 

Several factors need to be considered regarding German driving bans:

1. The weight of the vehicles
2. Whether the HGV has a trailer
3. Weekends
4. Public holidays
5. Holiday driving bans

When are specific HGV not allowed to drive in Germany?

If the HGV is heavier than 7.5 tonnes or has a trailer, it is not allowed to drive on Sundays and public holidays, even if the trailer is empty. This ban is in effect from 00:00 to 22:00. There are some exceptions to this ban, such as the transport of fresh milk and dairy products, fresh meat and meat products, fresh fish, live fish, and fresh fish products, as well as highly perishable fruits and vegetables. 

When are the public holidays in 2024?

1. New Year's Day (Monday, 1 January 1 2024)
2. Good Friday (Friday, 29 March 2024)
3. Easter Monday (Monday, 1 April 2024)
4. Labour Day (Wednesday, 1 May 2024)
5. Ascension Day (Thursday, 9 May 2024)
6. Whit Monday (Monday, 20 May 2024)
7. Corpus Christi (Thursday, 30 May 2024) Please note that this only applies in the following German states: Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg
8. German Unity Day (Thursday, 3 October 2024)
9. Reformation Day (Thursday, 31 October 2024) Please note that this only applies in the following German states: Bremen, Hamburg, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Schleswig-Holstein
10. All Saints' Day (Friday, 1 November 2024) Please note that this only applies in the following German states: Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg
11. Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Wednesday, 25 December, and Thursday, 26 December 2024)

Which public holidays allow driving?

Driving is allowed as normal during the following public holidays:

1. Epiphany (Saturday, 6 January 2024)
2. International Women's Day (Friday, 8 March 2024)
3. Assumption Day (Thursday, 15 August 2024)
4. Day of Repentance and Prayer (Wednesday, 20 November 2024)

Turck bans during Summer Holidays in Germany

Germany has a holiday driving ban known as the “Ferienreise Verordnung” [Holiday Traffic Regulations]. In July and August, HGV are not allowed to drive on Saturdays from 07:00 to 20:00. 

However, they are allowed to drive from 20:00 to 00:00. After 00:00, it is Sunday, and the general Sunday driving ban applies.

Truck bans in France 2024

In France, there are specific driving bans for vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 7.5 tonnes (75000 kilograms). 

When are these heavy trucks not allowed to drive?

The general rule in France is that HGV are not allowed to drive from Saturday 22:00 to Sunday 22:00. This also applies to the days before public holidays, from 22:00 the day before until 22:00 on the holiday. What if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday? In that case, the ban applies on that day from 00:00 to 24:00.

Driving bans in France on public holidays

HGV, including solo tractors without trailers, are not allowed to drive in France on the following public holidays:

• 1 January - New Year's Day
• 31 March and 1 April - Easter
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 8 May - Victory Day
• 9 May - Ascension Day
• 19 and 20 May - Pentecost
• 14 July - National Day
• 15 August - Assumption of Mary
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 11 November - Armistice Day
• 25 December - Christmas

This applies from 22:00 the day before until 22:00 on the holiday.

Exceptions to the driving bans in France
There are exceptions to these driving bans for the transport of:

1. Live animals
2. Perishable goods
3. Harvest products
4. Goods used during economic, sporting, cultural, educational, or political events. 

In some cases, a short-term exemption can be granted to carriers from other European countries. Driving in environmental zones with an environmental sticker in urban areas of France

Since July 2017, it has been mandatory to drive with a coloured environmental sticker in several urban areas in France. This is also known as an ‘eco sticker’. It indicates the EURO class of the vehicle.

This sticker must be used in:

1. Paris, within the Périphérique
2. The entire Ile de France department
3. During smog in Grenoble and Lyon
4. In Lille, Strasbourg, Montpellier, and Bordeaux

If you drive in these areas without an eco sticker, you will be fined at least €135. They can only be ordered via the official website of the French Ministry of Transport. Delivery time is about 10 working days.

Specific truck bans in France 2024

In addition to these general driving bans, there are also some special driving bans in France. These are driving bans you don't often see in other European countries. France has special seasonal driving bans. These are divided into two categories:

1. Summer driving bans
2. Winter driving bans

In the summer period, France has an additional driving ban on vehicles and vehicle combinations. This extra ban is in effect on certain extremely busy Saturdays (Black Saturdays). In the winter period, there are special driving bans for these vehicles in February and on the first Saturday in March, from 07:00 to 18:00, and from 22:00 to 22:00 the following day. Driving is allowed between 18:00 and 22:00.

For more information on these specific roads, please refer to the Evofenedex website.

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Truck bans in Belgium 2024

The driving bans in Belgium are very similar to the driving bans in the Netherlands. You should take into account:

1. Weather conditions
2. Weight 
3. Local driving bans during rush hours 
4. Driving bans for the transport of abnormal loads

The driving bans apply to HGV heavier than 7.5 tonnes. During heavy rain or snow, overtaking is prohibited for these vehicles. 

Local driving bans during rush hours in Belgium. Traffic is prohibited between 06:00 - 09:00 and 16:00 - 21:00 at the following locations in Belgium:

1. Antwerp R1. This applies between n°2 (Antwerp-North) and n°6. 
2. Brussels R0.
3. Charleroi R9.
4. Highways A604 - A15 (Seraing- Hognoul). 
5. Liège highway (E40/E42-E25) between Burenville and Tilff. 

For more detailed information about specific local bans, please visit the Truckban.eu website.

Driving bans in Belgium during national holidays 

Heavy trucks are not allowed to drive during public holidays. This applies in most European countries. This ban is from 16:00 the day before the holiday until 24:00 on the day itself. 

This applies to the following holidays in 2024:

• 1 January - New Year's Day
• 31 March and 1 April - Easter
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 9 May - Ascension Day
• 19 and 20 May - Pentecost
• 21 July - National Day
• 15 August - Assumption of Mary
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 11 November - Armistice Day
• 25 December - Christmas

General driving ban for large transport in Belgium

In Belgium, there is a general driving ban on all roads from 06:00 to 21:00 for the transport of goods wider than 4 metres. This also applies to transport longer than 30 metres. On highways with less than 3 lanes in the same direction, this ban starts with a width of more than 3.5 metres. Exceptional transport exceeding these dimensions also has a weekend driving ban from Saturday 12:00 to Sunday 24:00. Toll for the Liefkenshoek Tunnel. The Liefkenshoek Tunnel, located between Antwerp and Beveren, is a toll road. HGV or other transports higher than 3 metres pay more than other vehicles. Check  the website of the Liefkenshoek Tunnel for the current rates. 

Truck bans in Switzerland 2024

The driving bans in Switzerland start earlier than in other countries. This is because they have a maximum authorized total weight (MAM) of 3.5 tonnes (3500 kilograms). On Sundays and public holidays, there is a ban for these vehicles from 00:00 to 24:00. On regular days, there is a ban between 22:00 and 05:00.

Driving bans in Switzerland on public holidays

Switzerland has the following public holidays that apply to this ban:

• 1 January - New Year's Day
• 31 March and 1 April - Easter
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 9 May - Ascension Day
• 19 and 20 May - Pentecost
• 21 July - National Day
• 15 August - Assumption of Mary
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 11 November - Armistice Day
• 25 December - Christmas

Exceptions to the driving bans in Switzerland

Exemptions can be requested in Switzerland. This is only possible for transporting specific products: 

1. Perishable goods (vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers). 
2. Slaughter pigs and poultry.
3. Fresh milk and dairy products.
4. Circus materials, musical instruments, and theatre supplies.
5. Newspapers and mail. 

You can apply for an exemption at the Federal Roads Office. 

Also important to mention is that in Switzerland, starting from 31-12-2024, there will be an adjustment of working, driving, and rest times for drivers. Among other things, it will be mandatory to have tachograph printouts from the past 56 days. This was previously from the past 28 days before the trip.

Truck bans in Spain 2024

Driving ban in Spain for the transport of hazardous materials. During Sundays and public holidays, there is a driving ban on transporting hazardous materials. This is the case in most European countries. This ban also applies to HGV that are empty and cleaned. If they are intended for transporting hazardous materials, they may not drive on the roads between 08:00 and 24:00. 

There is also a ban for these vehicles on the days preceding public holidays. This is between 13:00 and 24:00, with an exception on Saturdays. 

Driving bans in Spain on public holidays

Spain has the following public holidays that apply to this ban:

• 1 January - New Year's Day
• 6 January - Epiphany
• 28 March - Maundy Thursday
• 29 March - Good Friday
• 31 March and 1 April - Easter
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 15 August - Assumption of Mary
• 12 October - National Day
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 6 December - Constitution Day
• 8 December - Immaculate Conception
• 25 December - Christmas

Special truck bans in Madrid

In the city centre of Madrid, there is a driving ban for vehicles with a total weight of 12 tonnes (12000 kilograms). This ban is valid on weekdays from 09:00 to 21:00 and on public holidays from 00:00 to 24:00. Exceptions are made for removals. Between 12:00 and 21:00, the centre of Madrid is inaccessible to vehicles wider than 2 metres and longer than 5.5 metres.

Truck bans in Europe 2024

Truck driving bans in European countries are not uniform; they vary greatly from one country to another. Generally, many European countries have restrictions during weekends, public holidays, and specific times to manage traffic flow and environmental impact. Some European countries also have seasonal bans, especially during holiday periods or in areas with particular environmental or traffic safety challenges.  For the most up-to-date overview of these rules and any exceptions, it is advisable to consult the official traffic information sources of each country.

Conclusion

Navigating through the truck driving bans in European countries in 2024 requires preparation and understanding of local regulations. It is crucial for international carriers to stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and delays. The TIMOCOM Marketplace offers convenient modules that allow you to calculate routes and costs. You can also find one of Europe's largest freight exchange here, with up to 1 million transport orders per day distributed across over 46 countries. Experience the advantage and convenience of TIMOCOM by creating an account today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum authorised total weight of an HGV?

Answer: The maximum authorised total weight of an HGV varies by country. Heavy trucks are often allowed, but under certain conditions.

Why don't HGV operate on weekends?

Answer: HGV often don't operate on weekends to reduce traffic congestion, increase traffic safety, and minimise environmental impact.

Is there freight traffic on Saturdays in Germany?

Answer: In Germany, limited freight traffic is allowed on Saturdays, depending on the season and specific regulations.

Why are HGV not allowed to operate on Sundays in Germany?

Answer: HGV are not allowed to operate on Sundays in Germany starting from 22:00, for reasons of traffic management and environmental considerations.

Why are there truck bans for HGV?

Answer: Truck bans are not without reason. They exist to make roads safer, reduce traffic congestion, and minimise environmental impact. They ensure that heavy trucks are not on the roads during peak hours or certain environmentally sensitive periods. This means less traffic jams during your holidays and cleaner air in our cities.