This page provides an overview of the current truck driving bans in European countries for trucks over 3.5 tonnes, as well as trucks and vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle weight of more than 7.5 tonnes.
Truck driving bans in Europe
Truck driving bans are generally intended to ensure compliance with Sunday rest, to reduce noise pollution and to reduce emissions. In addition, they can promote the transport of goods by alternative means such as rail and make this a more attractive alternative.
In Europe and the European Union itself, there is no general, uniform ban on driving trucks in international traffic. The regulations for issuing driving bans for trucks vary from country to country. Nevertheless, the question of a general truck driving ban in the EU has been regularly on the agenda and discussed since 1999.
Truck driving bans
There is no general driving ban for trucks in the following countries.
- Belgium
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Serbia
- Macedonia
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
- Finland
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Russia
- Ukraine
In the countries not mentioned, there are driving bans for trucks weighing 3.5 tonnes or more. In most cases the driving bans apply to trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 7.5 tonnes. These driving bans vary from country to country and usually apply at weekends, on public holidays and occasionally at night.
You can download a summary of all driving bans in Europe in 2025 here – for all the information at a glance.
Download truck driving bans in Europe 2025 for free
Exceptions to truck driving bans in Europe 2025
Exceptions to truck driving bans include combined rail-road and port-road transport from the shipper to the nearest loading station or port and in the opposite direction within a radius of 150 km. Empty journeys in connection with combined transport are usually also excluded,
as are transports of perishable goods such as fresh meat and fresh meat products, fresh milk and fresh dairy products, fresh fish and fresh fish products as well as perishable fruit and vegetables. Live animal transport is also excluded.
Vehicles for the urgent deployment of recovery, towing and breakdown assistance and vehicles for the transport of live bees are also permitted.
Non-compliance with truck driving bans
Violating the current driving bans for trucks can result in a fine. Fines of up to 1,800 euros can be imposed, depending on the country and offence. Both the driver and the haulage company must pay the fine. Repeated offences or serious disregard of the regulations can lead to higher penalties or further sanctions.
Although TIMOCOM has taken the necessary care in preparing this information, we accept no liability for any inaccuracies or errors it might contain. In particular, we accept no liability for damages of any kind that are the direct or indirect consequence of actions and/or decisions based on the information provided here.