Truck driving ban Germany

In Germany, there are specific days and times when a driving ban applies to trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 7.5 tons or to vehicles with trailers. These regulations can impact the delivery times of your Germany transport. Below, we’ve compiled the key information for you.

Please note: This information has been carefully compiled for you. However, for most of the details, we rely on third-party sources. Additionally, driving bans may be announced later due to unforeseen circumstances, such as roadworks. Therefore, the list below may not be exhaustive.

The complete list of known dates and times for driving bans in Germany is provided at the bottom of this page.

4 truck from Kuipers Logistics are parked in Herbolzheim Germany.

When is the truck driving ban in Germany?

In general, a driving ban applies in Germany on Sundays, official public holidays, and Saturdays during the summer vacation period.

Sundays & official public holidays

  • Time: 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Applies to: The entire German road network

Saturdays During Summer Vacation (July 1 – August 31)

  • Time: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Applies to: Busy highway routes (see list below)

We naturally take these restrictions into account in our planning. However, it may occur that your delivery is delayed due to these regulations.

German public holidays in 2025 with potential impact on transport

On the following public holidays, a driving ban applies in (parts of) Germany. We will proactively inform you if this affects your shipment.

Date Holiday Driving Ban Germany?
January 1 New Year’s Day Yes
April 18 Good Friday Yes
April 21 Easter Monday Yes
May 1 Labor Day Yes
May 29 Ascension Day Yes
June 9 Whit Monday Yes
June 19 Corpus Christi Yes (not in Lower Saxony)
October 3 German Unity Day Yes
October 31 Reformation Day Yes
November 1 All Saints’ Day Yes
December 25 Christmas Day Yes
December 26 Boxing Day Yes

In Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, a driving ban is in effect from 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM on October 31 and November 1. Deliveries via main roads such as A1, A2, A30, A31, and A33 are often possible during these times.

Transport to Berlin remains permitted on October 31 via certain highways (such as A2, A9, A24), provided the route stays on track.

Summer driving ban on saturdays

During the summer vacation period (July 1 – August 31), a driving ban applies on Saturdays between 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM on various busy routes in Germany. Almost all major roads are affected during this time, which can cause delays.

Some of the key roads with restrictions are:

  • A1 (Leverkusen – Münster)
  • A3 (Oberhausen – Nuremberg)
  • A7 (Flensburg – Füssen)
  • A9 (Berlin – Munich)
  • A99 (Munich Ring Road)

Exemptions to the driving ban

Certain transports are exempt from the driving ban and may proceed even during restricted periods. These include:

  • Combined transport: Road ↔ rail or sea, within a limited distance of 150–200 km
  • Perishable goods: Milk, meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit
  • Empty runs: Related to the above
  • Tractor units: Without or with limited loading capacity
  • Special transport: Vehicles for events or exhibitions
  • Emergency services: Such as police, fire brigade, and medical emergenciesstadt.muenchen.de+1uk.diplo.de+1

If your shipment falls into one of these categories, we can also deliver during a driving ban in Germany.

Applying for an exemption

In urgent cases (e.g., transport to a trade fair, livestock market, or seaport), an exemption from the driving ban in Germany is possible. This must be:

  • Applied for at the local road traffic authority (Straßenverkehrsbehörde)
  • Accompanied by proof of urgency

Long-term exemptions (Dauergenehmigungen) are limited and must be well justified.

What does the driving ban in Germany mean for you as a customer?

At Kuipers Logistics, we plan your transport around the driving bans and take regional exceptions into account as much as possible. However, it may occur that:

  • Deliveries are slightly delayed due to legal restrictions
  • We need to choose alternative routes that take more time
  • Transport on certain days is not possible unless your shipment falls under an exemption

Would you like to know if a planned delivery is affected by German driving bans? Please contact our customer service. We are happy to assist you.

List of driving bans in Germany 2025

January

  • Jan 1 (Wednesday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – New Year’s Day
  • Jan 5 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jan 6 (Monday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Epiphany (only in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony)
  • Jan 12 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jan 19 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jan 26 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

February

  • Feb 2 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Feb 9 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Feb 16 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Feb 23 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

March

  • Mar 2 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Mar 9 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Mar 16 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Mar 23 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Mar 30 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

April

  • Apr 6 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Apr 13 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Apr 18 (Friday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Good Friday
  • Apr 20 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Easter Sunday

May

  • May 1 (Thursday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Labor Day
  • May 4 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • May 11 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • May 18 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • May 25 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • May 29 (Thursday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Ascension Day

June

  • Jun 4 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jun 9 (Monday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Whit Monday
  • Jun 11 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jun 18 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jun 25 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

July

  • Jul 5 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Jul 6 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jul 12 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Jul 13 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jul 19 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Jul 20 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Jul 26 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Jul 27 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

August

  • Aug 2 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Aug 3 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Aug 9 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Aug 10 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Aug 15 (Friday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Assumption Day (only in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg)
  • Aug 16 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Aug 17 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Aug 23 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Aug 24 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Aug 30 (Saturday) – 07:00 – 20:00
  • Aug 31 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

September

  • Sep 7 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Sep 14 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Sep 21 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Sep 28 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

October

  • Oct 3 (Friday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – German Unity Day
  • Oct 5 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Oct 12 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Oct 19 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Oct 26 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Oct 31 (Friday) – 06:00 – 22:00 – Reformation Day (only in Saxony, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)

November

  • Nov 1 (Saturday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – All Saints’ Day (only in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland)
  • Nov 2 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Nov 9 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Nov 16 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Nov 23 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Nov 30 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

December

  • Dec 7 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Dec 14 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Dec 21 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00
  • Dec 25 (Thursday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Christmas Day
  • Dec 26 (Friday) – 00:00 – 22:00 – Boxing Day
  • Dec 28 (Sunday) – 00:00 – 22:00

Logo Oudewesselink Nieuw

What customers say

Oude Wesselink Tuinmeubelen, Thomas Oude Wesselink

5 / 5

At Kuipers, you as a customer receive the attention and care you need. They really think along with you. An honest and reliable partner for a long-term cooperation.

Logo Spenkelink

What customers say

Spenkelink Tegels, Marjolein van Veen

5 / 5

Kuipers Logistics has been driving for us from Italy and other countries for years. They are reliable and firm. They keep their promises and respond quickly to questions and emails.
The staff is always friendly and they like to think along with you. All in all a nice and reliable company to do business with.

Logo Kleinkromhof 2

What customers say

Klein Kromhof Houtvezels, Ingmar Kobes

5 / 5

Working together with Kuipers for the export of our containers to worldwide destinations is fast and accurate. At Kuipers they are able to switch quickly in the export department, so that we can provide our customers with top service!