Slovakia truck driving ban: hours and rules for 2026
Slovakia bans HGVs over 7.5 tonnes on Sundays, holidays and summer Saturdays; rules ease from September 2026 but the motorway overtaking ban stays.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Slovakia bans HGVs over 7.5 tonnes from driving on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00, and on Saturdays in July and August from 07:00 to 19:00, on motorways and main roads. From September 2026, both start times shift later, and the motorway overtaking ban for trucks stays in place.
What are Slovakia's current truck driving ban hours in 2026?
In 2026, Slovakia restricts HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, and vehicle combinations above that combined weight, from using motorways and main roads (class I roads) during set windows. On Sundays and public holidays, the ban runs from 00:00 to 22:00. During the summer peak, an additional Saturday restriction applies from 1 July to 31 August, running from 07:00 to 19:00. These windows mirror weekend restrictions found across much of Central Europe, and carriers routing between Austria, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, and the Balkans need to plan around holiday dates as well as Sundays, since the ban covers both. Checking Slovakia's public holiday calendar alongside these hours makes it easier to spot the days a route will hit the restriction.
What changes to Slovakia's truck driving ban take effect in September 2026?
The Slovak parliament adopted amendments to the Road Traffic Act on 2 June 2026, confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, according to CESMAD Slovakia . Most changes take effect around 1 September 2026. The Sunday and public-holiday ban start shifts from 00:00 to 06:00, giving carriers six extra operating hours overnight. The summer Saturday ban start shifts from 07:00 to 09:00. A new automatic exemption also applies to drivers returning to their Slovak place of residence during holiday periods, a movement that previously required individual permission from the traffic police, as trafficban.com's coverage of the amendment reports.
| Restriction period | Ban hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday and public holidays - current (2026) | 00:00-22:00 |
| Sunday and public holidays - from September 2026 | 06:00-22:00 |
| Saturdays, 1 July-31 August - current (2026) | 07:00-19:00 |
| Saturdays, 1 July-31 August - from September 2026 | 09:00-19:00 |
Is overtaking still banned for trucks on Slovak motorways?
Yes. Despite the shortened driving-ban windows, Slovakia's motorway overtaking ban for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes is not abolished by the September 2026 amendment, a point TruckBAN.eu's Slovakia reference also notes as a standing rule. Trucks above that weight threshold remain restricted from overtaking other HGVs on multi-lane motorway sections, a constraint CESMAD Slovakia has flagged as an ongoing operational grievance even as the weekend hours ease. Dispatchers building multi-day runs through Slovakia should also check Slovak truck speed limits , since motorway speed caps interact directly with overtaking room and journey-time planning. For how Slovakia's rules sit alongside its neighbors, see the Europe-wide truck driving ban guide .
Frequently asked questions
Which vehicles are exempt from Slovakia's truck driving ban?
Exemptions generally cover emergency and rescue vehicles, public transport, and agricultural and postal vehicles. Since the September 2026 amendment, drivers returning to their registered Slovak place of residence during a holiday period are also automatically exempt, without needing prior permission. Vehicles at or below the 7.5-tonne threshold are not subject to the ban at all.
What is the blood alcohol limit for truck drivers in Slovakia?
Slovakia applies a 0.00 percent blood alcohol limit to all drivers, including HGV operators, with no tolerance for any measurable alcohol level while driving. This is stricter than the limits professional drivers face in several neighboring countries.
Do trucks need winter tyres in Slovakia?
Yes. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must run winter tyres or carry snow chains between 15 November and 31 March, and whenever road conditions require them outside that window. The requirement applies nationwide, not only on mountain routes.
Does Slovakia's truck driving ban apply only to motorways, or also to main roads?
The ban covers both motorways and main roads, known as class I roads, not motorways alone. Local and regional roads generally fall outside the driving ban's scope, though drivers should still watch for local traffic orders around major holidays.
For carriers routing through Slovakia's weekend and holiday restrictions, request a freight quote to build a compliant transit schedule around the current and September 2026 ban hours.
