Where can a truck park overnight in Europe?
Where to park a truck overnight in Europe: allowed places, what daily and weekly rest rules say about sleeping in the cab, and how to find secure sites.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
Trucks can park overnight at motorway rest areas, truck stops and secure paid sites, and drivers may take daily rest in the cab. Regular weekly rest of 45 hours or more cannot be spent in the vehicle under Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 . Lay-bys and city centres are often restricted.
Where can a truck legally park overnight?
Start with the type of site. Pick a place built for HGVs: a motorway rest area, a truck stop or a certified secure site. Which one suits a given night depends on the fee you accept and the theft risk you carry.
| Place | Overnight rule |
|---|---|
| Motorway rest area | Allowed in most cases, busy at night, often free |
| Truck stop or service area | Allowed, may charge a fee |
| Secure paid site | Allowed, certified, fee applies |
| Lay-by or city centre | Often restricted or banned, check signs and local rules |
Rules for lay-bys, hard shoulders and city HGV bans differ by country and by municipality, so read the local signage before you stop. To compare options along a route, the free Logifie parking map shows truck parking, rest areas, fuel stations, showers and mechanics across Europe, with no registration. It is a map, not a turn-by-turn navigator, and it has no occupancy forecast or booking. For Germany, live occupancy at 1,850 motorway rest areas updates every minute, though private Autohofe are not included.
Can a driver sleep in the cab, and for how long?
Yes for daily rest and reduced weekly rest, no for regular weekly rest. Article 8(8) of Regulation 561/2006 lets a driver take daily rest and reduced weekly rest away from base in a vehicle, as long as the vehicle is stationary and has suitable sleeping facilities for each driver.
Regular weekly rest of 45 hours or more may not be taken in the vehicle. The rule, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/1054, has applied since 2020-09-21. Article 8(8a) requires the employer to pay for suitable accommodation when regular weekly rest falls away from base.
Why is a safe space so hard to find?
Because Europe does not have enough safe truck parking spaces. The European Commission reported on 2025-12-03 a shortfall of about 390,057 truck parking spaces , roughly 3,250 parking areas, and projects about 483,000 spaces needed by 2040. Member States must develop certified safe and secure areas on the core and extended core TEN-T network by 2040-12-31.
Certification follows Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012 , adopted on 2022-04-07. It sets four cumulative levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Every certified site must offer showers, toilets, food and drink, and internet. Bronze can rely on video surveillance of some zones, while platinum has staff on site at all times. Our guide explains what secure parking certification means , and a separate guide covers free truck parking options in Europe .
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep in your truck cab in Europe?
Yes, for daily rest and reduced weekly rest, if the vehicle is stationary and has suitable sleeping facilities. Regular weekly rest of 45 hours or more must be taken outside the cab.
Can a truck park in a lay-by overnight?
It depends on the country and the signs at the site. Many lay-bys restrict long stays or HGV parking, so check local signage and municipal rules before stopping.
Where can I find secure truck parking in Europe?
Look for sites certified under Delegated Regulation 2022/1012, which rates perimeter, parking area, entry and exit, and staff procedures on four levels from bronze to platinum. The free Logifie parking map shows truck parking, rest areas and facilities across Europe, without registration.
Is overnight truck parking free in Europe?
Often, yes. Many motorway rest areas are free, while truck stops and certified secure sites usually charge a fee, so check the site before you plan the night around it.
Plan tonight's stop with the free Logifie truck parking map .
