This year, both Ascension Day (May 9th) and Corpus Christi fall in May. French authorities have decided to lift the annual Ascension Day lorry traffic restriction. According to a French decree issued on April 9, 2024, heavy goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes will not be subject to a traffic ban on Thursday, May 9th.
However, many European countries are celebrating Labour Day and other public holidays in May. As a result, there will be many truck bans across Europe.
Update, 13 May at 10.30am
Austria
Traffic restrictions apply to tractors with trailers exceeding 3.5 tonnes (tractor or trailer), trucks, and articulated vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
Truck bans (in addition to weekend bans):
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 00:00 to 22:00
- Thursday, May 9th (Ascension Day): 00:00 to 22:00
- Monday, May 20th (Whitsun): 00:00 to 22:00
- Thursday, May 30th (Corpus Christi): 00:00 to 22:00
Croatia
Traffic restrictions apply to trucks and convoys exceeding 7.5 tonnes, and trucks and vehicles with trailers exceeding 14 metres in length.
Truck bans (in addition to weekend bans):
- Tuesday, April 30th: 15:00 to 23:00
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 14:00 to 23:00
- Wednesday, May 29th: 15:00 to 23:00
- Wednesday, May 30th (Statehood Day): 14:00 to 23:00
Czech Republic
Traffic restrictions apply to lorries and vehicle combinations exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
Truck bans (in addition to Sunday bans from 13:00 to 22:00):
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 13:00 to 22:00
- Wednesday, May 8th (Victory Day): 13:00 to 22:00
France
Traffic restrictions apply to heavy goods vehicles and vehicle combinations exceeding 7.5 tonnes (except special vehicles and agricultural vehicles).
Weekend bans:
- Saturdays: 22:00 to 24:00
- Sundays: 00:00 to 22:00
Truck bans (in addition to weekend bans):
- Tuesday, April 30th: 22:00 to midnight
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 00:00 to 22:00
- Saturday, May 7th: 22:00 to 24:00
- Sunday, May 8th (Victory Day): 00:00 to 22:00
- Saturday, 18 May from 22:00,
- Sunday, 19 May from 0:00 to 24:00,
- Monday, May 20th (Whitsun): 00:00 to 22:00
Germany
Traffic restrictions apply to trucks exceeding 7.5 tonnes and trucks with trailers.
Truck bans (in addition to weekend bans):
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 00:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Thursday, May 9th (Ascension Day): 00:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Monday, May 20th (Whitsun): 00:00 to 22:00 hours.
Note: Corpus Christi (Thursday, May 30th) has a truck ban only in specific German states: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland (00:00 to 22:00 hours).
Hungary
Traffic restrictions apply to heavy goods vehicles , agricultural tractors with trailers over 7.5t.
At the request of the Hungarian transport organisation MKFE, the Ministry of Transport has shortened the Labour Day restrictions – it will not be in force on Tuesday 30 April, but only from 06:00n Wednesday 1 May.
In addition, the Whitsun ban has been shortened – it will only be in force from 06:00.
The Hungarian bans, except on Sundays and Saturdays, will be in force:
Truck bans (in addition to weekend bans):
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 06:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Monday, May 20th (Whitsun): 06:00 to 22:00 hours.
Italy
Traffic restrictions apply to heavy goods vehicles and combinations of goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
Truck bans (in addition to Sunday restrictions from 09:00 to 22:00):
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 09:00 to 22:00 hours.
Luxembourg
Traffic restrictions apply to heavy goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) with or without a trailer.
General rule:
- Saturdays: Restricted from 21:30 towards France and 23:30 towards Germany until midnight.
- Sundays and public holidays: Restricted from 00:00 to 21:45 on all roads.
Holiday bans (variations to the general rule):
- Tuesday, April 30th: same restrictions as Saturdays (21:30 towards France, 23:30 towards Germany).
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): no additional restrictions (applies general Sunday/public holiday rule).
- Wednesday, May 8th: restricted from 00:00 towards France and 23:30 towards Germany until midnight.
- Thursday, May 9th (Europe Day): no additional restrictions (applies general Sunday/public holiday rule).
- Saturday, May 18th: same restrictions as Saturdays (21:30 towards France, 23:30 towards Germany).
- Sunday, May 19th (Whitsun): restricted from 00:00 towards France, general Sunday/public holiday rule applies otherwise (until 21:45).
- Monday, May 20th (Whitsun): no additional restrictions (applies general Sunday/public holiday rule).
- Thursday, May 30th (Corpus Christi): no additional restrictions (applies general Sunday/public holiday rule).
Important note: restrictions do not typically apply to vehicles returning to Luxembourg after international transport.
Poland
Traffic restrictions apply to lorries exceeding 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW).
Holiday Bans:
- Tuesday, April 30th: 18:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 08:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Thursday, May 2nd: 18:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Friday, May 3rd (Constitution Day): 08:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Saturday, May 18th: 18:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Sunday, May 19th (Whitsun): 08:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Wednesday, May 29th: 18:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Thursday, May 30th (Corpus Christi): 08:00 to 22:00 hours.
Important note: restrictions do not typically apply to vehicles returning to Poland after international transport.
Slovakia
Slovakia’s traffic bans are in force on Sundays and holidays cover heavy goods vehicles with a GVW above 7.5 tonnes; trucks with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes with a trailer or semi-trailer. They will not be allowed to drive on Slovakian roads on two public holidays:
- May 1 (Labour Day) from 0:00 to 22. The Presidium of the Slovakian Police has introduced an exception for trucks on highways, motor vehicle roads, class I roads and for international traffic, entering the territory of the country from some neighboring countries, whose destination (e.g. company headquarters or unloading place) is on the territory of Slovakia .
- May 8 (Victory Day) from 0:00 to 22. The aforementioned rules also apply on this day.
Slovenia
Traffic restrictions apply to heavy goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
Holiday bans (in addition to Sundays):
- Wednesday, May 1st (Labour Day): 08:00 to 22:00 hours.
- Thursday, May 2nd: 08:00 to 22:00 hours.