Germany truck driving ban: times, rules and routes (2026)
Germany truck driving ban times: trucks over 7.5t banned 00:00-22:00 every Sunday and public holiday, plus summer Saturday Autobahn bans. 2026 rules and fines.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Germany bans trucks over 7.5 tonnes and all truck-trailer combinations from 00:00 to 22:00 every Sunday and public holiday on all roads under StVO §30 Abs. 3 . From 2026-07-01 to 2026-08-31, a Saturday ban (07:00 to 20:00) also applies on selected Autobahn sections. Fines are EUR 120 for the driver and EUR 570 for the commissioning company.
When does the Germany truck ban apply? Sunday and public holiday rules explained
The year-round ban is set out in StVO §30 Abs. 3 and applies uniformly across all German federal states. It covers all roads — motorways, federal highways, and local roads — and makes no distinction between loaded and empty runs.
The ban covers every Sunday and Germany's nine nationwide public holidays, including Labour Day (2026-05-01), German Unity Day (2026-10-03), and both Christmas days (2026-12-25 and 2026-12-26). Several states observe additional regional holidays; for a full list see Germany's 2026 public holiday dates .
Enforcement is handled by police and BALM (Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität — the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility). Fines are issued on the spot and apply equally to loaded and empty runs.
Which motorways have the summer Saturday truck ban in 2026?
The Ferienreiseverordnung (the federal holiday-travel ordinance) adds a restriction every Saturday from 2026-07-01 to 2026-08-31 between 07:00 and 20:00, covering trucks over 7.5 tonnes on a defined set of Autobahn sections.
The affected motorways in 2026 are sections of the A1, A3, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A45, and A61 — the main south-bound corridors toward Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. The exact section boundaries are set out in the ordinance; operators should verify against the BALM website or route-planning tools before scheduling a Saturday summer departure on any of these roads.
Planning a route through Germany also means accounting for speed restrictions — check Germany's HGV speed limits before your dispatch window closes.
| Ban type | Details (2026) |
|---|---|
| Sunday & public holiday ban | Trucks >7.5 t and all truck-trailer combinations; 00:00 to 22:00; all roads |
| Summer Saturday ban (Ferienreiseverordnung) | Trucks >7.5 t; 07:00 to 20:00; designated Autobahn sections only; every Saturday 2026-07-01 to 2026-08-31 |
| Affected motorways (summer Saturday) | A1, A3, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A45, A61 (selected sections toward Austria, Switzerland and Italy) |
| Key exemptions | Fresh perishables, combined transport within 200 km of a rail terminal or 150 km of a port, newspapers, emergency services |
What are the exemptions from the Germany truck driving ban?
Several categories are exempt by law without a special permit. Trucks carrying fresh perishable food — meat, fish, dairy, and fresh fruit and vegetables — are exempt from both the Sunday/holiday ban and the summer Saturday ban.
Combined transport operations are exempt when the truck is the pre- or on-carriage leg of a rail or short-sea shipping chain. The qualifying radius is 200 km from a rail loading or unloading terminal (with a valid CIM or UIRR waybill) or 150 km from a sea or inland port. The paperwork must be on board and available for inspection.
Newspaper delivery, emergency services, and road recovery vehicles are also exempt. For other cargo types, operators can apply to the relevant district authority for a special permit, though approval is not guaranteed.
For country-by-country coverage across the EU, see the full European truck driving ban guide .
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Sunday truck ban start and end in Germany?
The Sunday ban starts at 00:00 (midnight Saturday night) and ends at 22:00 on Sunday evening. Trucks may begin moving again at 22:01 Sunday night. The same 00:00 to 22:00 window applies on federal public holidays. There is no grace period and both loaded and empty runs are subject to the restriction.
Which Autobahn sections are affected by the 2026 summer Saturday ban?
The 2026 Ferienreiseverordnung covers sections of ten motorways: the A1, A3, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A45, and A61. These are the primary south-bound and transit corridors used during the summer holiday period. The ban runs every Saturday between 2026-07-01 and 2026-08-31 from 07:00 to 20:00. Sections not on this list are unaffected on Saturdays outside the Sunday/holiday window.
What trucks are exempt from the Germany driving ban?
Trucks carrying fresh perishable food are exempt without a permit. Combined-transport HGVs operating within 200 km of a rail terminal (with a CIM or UIRR waybill) or 150 km of a port are also exempt. Newspaper delivery, emergency vehicles, and road recovery trucks are additionally excluded. All other operators must either hold a special permit from the local district authority or plan their journey outside the restricted hours.
How much is the fine for breaking the Germany truck driving ban?
According to the 2026 Bußgeldkatalog , the driver faces a fine of EUR 120 for driving in breach of the ban. The company or individual that commissioned the transport pays a separate fine of EUR 570. Both fines can be issued for the same infraction and the driver's fine is payable on the spot.
To keep Germany transit costs under control alongside compliance, view live diesel prices in Germany or request a Germany-compliant freight quote from the Logifie team.
