Spain truck driving ban 2026: times, rules and exemptions
HGVs over 7,500 kg are banned in Spain 08:00-24:00 on Sundays and public holidays. Full 2026 DGT rules, ADR windows, exemptions and summer peak dates.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
In Spain, vehicles and combinations over 7,500 kg are banned on Sundays and public holidays from 08:00 to 24:00. The eve of a national public holiday carries a 16:00-24:00 restriction for standard HGV, or 13:00-24:00 for ADR vehicles. Both windows are confirmed for 2026 by the DGT Resolution (BOE, 20 January 2026) .
When exactly are trucks banned from driving in Spain?
The standard ban covers vehicles or combinations above 7,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). On Sundays and public holidays the window is 08:00 to 24:00 - a 16-hour block that eliminates same-day reloading. On the Wednesday or Thursday eve of a national public holiday, the restriction runs 16:00 to midnight.
| Scenario | Ban window |
|---|---|
| Standard HGV (over 7,500 kg) on Sundays and public holidays | 08:00-24:00 |
| Standard HGV on the eve of a national public holiday (not Saturday) | 16:00-24:00 |
| ADR vehicle on Sundays and public holidays | 08:00-24:00 |
| ADR vehicle on the eve of a public holiday (not Saturday) | 13:00-24:00 |
Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Navarre operate under transferred traffic competences with their own schedules. The Basque Country adds a transit-only 00:00-22:00 ban on Sundays and holidays for through traffic. Verify regional calendars before cross-border runs, and use the Spain 2026 public holiday calendar to map each date against your lanes.
Which vehicles and goods are exempt?
Vehicles carrying live animals (cattle, sheep, goats, poultry) are fully exempt. Perishable goods vehicles qualify when the perishable cargo is at least 50% of payload or loading volume and the vehicle meets Annex 1 of the ATP Agreement - fresh fruit and vegetables are included. Correos (Spanish Post) vehicles are exempt Monday to Friday. Standard HGV on general cargo have no exemption outside the regional carve-outs.
ADR vehicles must also use Spain's designated route network year-round - routing off it is a compliance breach even outside ban windows. Factor in current Spain diesel prices and Spain HGV speed limits when rescheduling around a restriction.
How do summer peak restrictions differ?
From 2026-06-28 to 2026-09-06, route-specific restrictions stack on top of the standard holiday ban. Madrid radial motorways (A-1, A-2, A-3, A-5, A-6) face an added 21:00-23:00 ban on Sundays and public holidays. Coastal routes in Huelva (A-483, A-497) and Almeria (A-370) carry 11:00-22:00 bans on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays through July and August. These target specific congestion bottlenecks, not the whole network. Confirm route bans via the DGT traffic restrictions page and the EU-wide public holiday hub before each summer run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weight threshold for the Spanish truck driving ban?
The threshold is 7,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM), as set by the DGT Resolution of 14 January 2026. Vehicles or combinations above this weight face the 08:00-24:00 Sunday and holiday ban. Vehicles at or below 7,500 kg MAM are not covered.
Are perishable goods vehicles exempt from the Spain truck ban?
Yes, with conditions: the perishable cargo must be at least 50% of payload or loading volume and the vehicle must comply with Annex 1 of the ATP Agreement. A refrigerated trailer on a mixed load below 50% does not qualify. Fresh fruit and vegetables are included.
Do ADR vehicles face stricter rules than standard HGVs in Spain?
The Sunday and holiday window is identical (08:00-24:00), but the eve restriction is tighter for ADR: 13:00-24:00 versus 16:00-24:00 for standard HGV. Empty and cleaned ADR vehicles are included, and ADR transport must stay on the designated route network at all times.
Where can I check the latest DGT truck ban calendar for Spain?
The primary source is the DGT restrictions page, which publishes the annual circular and its mid-year corrections (two in 2026: 19 February and 23 March). Cross-check each date against your delivery schedule before committing to a Sunday or public holiday run into Spain.
Check exact ban dates for your Spain lanes with the Logifie Spain 2026 holiday and restriction calendar - updated for every national and regional public holiday.
