Professional HGV Drivers Beware: Europe’s Summer 2025 Driving Bans Unveiled

During the summer of 2025, many European countries enforce additional driving restrictions for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to alleviate congestion during peak holiday travel periods.

🇦🇹 Austria

• Year-Round Restrictions: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00.
• Summer Restrictions: From June 7 to September 27, additional bans apply on Saturdays from 07:00 to 15:00 on the A12 Inntal, A13 Brenner, and A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorways.

🇫🇷 France

• General Ban: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are banned from driving on Saturdays from 22:00 to Sundays at 22:00.
• Summer Saturdays: Additional restrictions from 07:00 to 19:00 on specific dates: July 5, 12, 19, 26 and August 2, 16, 23.

🇩🇪 Germany

• Year-Round Restrictions: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00.
• Summer Saturdays: In July and August, additional bans from 07:00 to 20:00 on selected routes.

🇮🇹 Italy

• General Ban: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are banned on Sundays and public holidays from 09:00 to 22:00.
• Summer Saturdays: In July, bans from 08:00 to 16:00; in August, from 08:00 to 22:00.

🇵🇱 Poland

• Summer Restrictions (from June 27):
  • Fridays: 18:00 to 22:00
  • Saturdays: 08:00 to 14:00
  • Sundays: 08:00 to 22:00
• Applies to: Vehicles over 12 tonnes GVW.

🇭🇺 Hungary

• Year-Round Restrictions: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are banned on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00.
• Summer Saturdays: In July and August, additional bans from 15:00 to 24:00.

🇸🇰 Slovakia

• Year-Round Restrictions: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00.
• Summer Saturdays: In July and August, additional bans from 07:00 to 19:00.

🇸🇮 Slovenia

• Year-Round Restrictions: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are banned on Sundays and public holidays from 08:00 to 22:00.
• Summer Saturdays: From the last weekend in June to the first weekend in September, additional bans from 08:00 to 13:00.

🇭🇷 Croatia

• Summer Restrictions (June 15 to September 15):
  • Saturdays: 04:00 to 14:00
  • Sundays and public holidays: 12:00 to 23:00
• Applies to: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes on selected main routes.

🇷🇴 Romania

• Summer Restrictions (July 1 to August 31):
  • A2 Motorway (Bucharest – Constanța):
    • Fridays: 12:00 to 22:00
    • Saturdays & Sundays: 06:00 to 22:00
  • DN39 (Agigea – Mangalia):
    • Fridays to Sundays: 06:00 to 22:00
• Applies to: HGVs over 7.5 tonnes.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

• Summer Restrictions (June 1 to September 15):
  • Fridays: 17:00 to 20:00
  • Sundays: 14:00 to 20:00
• Applies to: HGVs over 12 tonnes on major routes to the Black Sea.

🇨🇭 Switzerland

• Year-Round Restrictions:
  • Sundays and public holidays: 00:00 to 24:00
  • Night ban: 22:00 to 05:00 daily
• Applies to: HGVs over 3.5 tonnes.

🇮🇪 Ireland

• No general HGV driving bans during weekends or holidays.

 

Note: Specific exemptions may apply for vehicles transporting perishable goods, live animals, or fuel. Always consult local authorities or official websites for detailed information and updates.