Truck parking shortage 2027: still no space, and the 45-hour rest in the cab is still banned

The truck parking shortage will still be real in 2027. The European Commission reports an EU gap of 390,057 safe and secure spaces (2025-04-11), Germany plans 1,725 new spaces for 2026 to 2028, and regular weekly rest in the cab remains banned under Regulation 561/2006.

Will there be enough truck parking in Europe in 2027?

Not on current figures. The European Commission DG MOVE study page of 2025-04-11 reports an EU gap of 390,057 safe and secure spaces, projected to reach 483,000 by 2040. The largest gaps sit in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain.

Germany plans to build. A Bundestag answer published 2026-08-26 lists 65,635 existing truck spaces at 1,838 motorway rest areas. Autobahn GmbH plans 1,725 new spaces from 2026 to 2028, split into 850 at staffed and 875 at unstaffed rest areas. That is about 2.6% of existing motorway supply (Logifie calculation), with no per-year split, so the 2027 share is unknown. Read how Germany adds 1,725 spaces by 2028 .

The Dutch gap of about 4,400 spaces is a TLN and FNV estimate, not a ministry figure. NL Times reported it on 2026-06-19 with a deficit of about 7,000 expected by 2040, and TLN says EUR 43 million recently became available. Read the Dutch shortage breakdown .

Supply is growing slowly. The Commission page counts about 65 areas built or under construction with Connecting Europe Facility money, but many remain uncertified under the 2022 EU standard.

Can you still be fined for weekly rest in the cab in 2027?

Yes under current law, within a precise scope. Article 8(8) of Regulation (EC) 561/2006 , in the consolidated text of 2020-08-20, bars regular weekly rest (45 hours or more) and compensating weekly rest over 45 hours in the vehicle. Daily rest and reduced weekly rest (24 hours to under 45 hours) are not named in that ban. The employer pays for accommodation outside the vehicle.

Germany enforces this through FPersG § 8a, which treats a regular weekly rest taken in the vehicle, or without a suitable sleeping place, as not observed. Fines reach up to 30,000 EUR for operators and up to 5,000 EUR for other offences, including driver offences.

In France, according to a ministry page updated 2024-05-13, a company that organises work without ensuring the 45-hour rest is taken outside the vehicle risks up to one year in prison and 30,000 EUR. Taking the rest on board is a separate contravention of up to 1,500 EUR (3,000 EUR for a repeat); the page does not say who is fined for it. All of these are maximums. Check the weekly rest fines by country .

What should hauliers and drivers do when parking is full?

Plan the weekly rest stop before the week starts. Hauliers book accommodation for regular weekly rests and plan the driver's return home or to base within every four consecutive weeks, as Article 8(8a) requires, and they document it. Drivers ask for written accommodation arrangements and keep the booking evidence.

For the stop itself, find sites on the free truck parking map . It is free with no login, but it has no live occupancy. For German motorways, check live occupancy on SID parking , which covers about 1,850 truck parking areas and may lag by minutes. For route planning, see where to park a truck overnight in Europe .

Frequently asked questions

How many truck parking spaces are missing in Europe?

The Commission study page of 2025-04-11 reports a gap of 390,057 safe and secure spaces across the EU, projected at 483,000 by 2040. That figure covers safe and secure parking only.

Is it illegal to sleep in a truck cab in the EU?

Sleeping in the cab is banned only for regular weekly rest and compensating weekly rest over 45 hours, under Article 8(8) of Regulation 561/2006. The ban does not name daily rest or reduced weekly rest.

What is the fine for taking the 45-hour weekly rest in the cab?

It depends on the country. Germany sets maximums of 30,000 EUR for operator offences and 5,000 EUR for other offences, including driver offences (FPersG § 8a). France sets up to 1,500 EUR for resting on board and up to 30,000 EUR for the company.

Plan your next weekly rest stop on the free truck parking map .