by France: Truck Ban on A40 – Vuache Tunnel Closed from 4 to 11 July
From 4 to 11 July 2025, truck drivers should expect significant disruptions on the A40 motorway in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Due to renovation works, the Vuache Tunnel will be completely closed to all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW – including both trucks and buses. The restriction applies to the section between the Eloise interchange (Exit 11) and Saint-Julien-en-Genevois (Exit 13).
Detours for long-distance transport:
➡️ From Italy to Lyon/Paris: take the Scientrier exit → A410 → A41 → A43
➡️ From Switzerland to Lyon/Paris: continue on A41 → A43
➡️ From Lyon/Paris to Italy: follow A43 → A41 → A410
Detours for local traffic:
➡️ Towards Chamonix: mandatory exit at Exit 11 (Eloise) → follow diversion route S8
➡️ Towards Paris/Mâcon: mandatory exit at Exit 13 (Saint-Julien-en-Genevois) → follow diversion route S1
by Tour de France 2025: Road Closures & Traffic Restrictions in Northern France and Normandy
From 5 to 10 July 2025, the Tour de France will traverse northern France and Normandy. As a result, professional drivers should expect significant traffic disruptions, including full closures of national roads and motorway exits. Numerous parking bans and restricted access to city centers will also be in effect.
Early closures are set to begin on Saturday, 5 July, coinciding with the Tour’s start in Lille. That morning through afternoon, portions of the RN356 (Lille – Exit 2), A21 (Lens – Exits 11 & 12), and A25 (Steenvoorde, Méteren, Armentières) will be closed. Exit 9 (Erquinghem‑Lys) may also be closed, pending decisions by local authorities.
Stage 1 (Lille – Lille), Saturday, 5 July 2025
Start and finish in Lille. The following sections will be closed:
Stage 2 (Lauwin‑Plancque – Boulogne‑sur‑Mer), Sunday, 6 July 2025
On Sunday, 6 July, the RN25 north of Arras will be completely closed – between the RN25/RD937 roundabout and the RN25/RD939 interchange. Disruptions are expected from approximately 10:00 to 14:00.
Stage 3 (Valenciennes – Dunkerque), Monday, 7 July 2025
Closures will occur at the following locations:
Stage 4 – Tuesday, 8 July 2025 (Amiens → Rouen)
On Tuesday, 8 July, the peloton runs from Amiens to Rouen, resulting in road closures across 17 communes in the Eure department and access restrictions in Rouen. The heaviest disruptions are expected between 13:00 and 16:30. Parking bans in Rouen are in place from 2 July, and access restrictions will be enforced on 8 July from 12:00 to 18:00.
Stage 5 – Wednesday, 9 July 2025 (Caen → Caen)
On 9 July, both start and finish will occur in Caen. The entire route will be largely closed to traffic from 08:00 to 18:00. This especially affects the finish area around Place Foch and the Hastings, port, university, and Chemin Vert districts. Exit 6 from the ring road (Vallée des Jardins) will be partially closed in the Cherbourg → Paris direction. Access to the city center will be practically impossible.
Stage 6 – Thursday, 10 July 2025 (Bayeux → Vire‑Normandie)
The final stage in the region, Bayeux to Vire-Normandie, on 10 July will include the closure of the A84 exit at Villers-Bocage from 08:00 to approximately 14:00. Parking bans and traffic restrictions will also apply in Bayeux and Vire-Normandie.
All closures are subject to time adjustments, depending on race progression and official decisions. In practice, roads will be impassable at least 2 hours before the publicity caravan* passes and for up to 1 hour after the last rider has passed. Regional authorities and emergency services are on standby—but carriers and drivers should strictly avoid travel within impacted zones during these dates.
*Publicity caravan (Fr. caravane publicitaire) refers to the fleet of sponsor vehicles traveling the route approximately 1.5–2 hours ahead of the peloton. They distribute promotional items and advertise brands, and due to their size and requirements, roads must be closed well in advance of the stage. For professional drivers, this can mean multi-hour disruptions to main routes and complete loss of alternative exits or roads.
by Bulgaria Introduces Temporary Truck Traffic Ban Due to Heatwave
In response to a forecasted heatwave announced by the Bulgarian Meteorological Service, a temporary traffic ban for heavy vehicles over 20 tons will be reinstated in Bulgaria from July 5 to July 8, 2025 (Saturday to Tuesday). The restrictions will apply to selected road sections.
The ban will be in effect daily from 13:00 to 21:00.
Affected regions (provinces):
▪️ Vidin
▪️ Pleven
▪️ Veliko Tarnovo
▪️ Stara Zagora
▪️ Ruse
▪️ Razgrad
▪️ Shumen
The restrictions are aimed at protecting road surfaces from damage, particularly the formation of ruts, which may occur during extreme temperatures exceeding 35°C. During the ban hours, trucks will be allowed to wait off the road in designated areas, without obstructing traffic.
Exemptions from the ban:
▪️ Transport of perishable food
▪️ Temperature-controlled cargo
▪️ Transport of live animals
▪️ Transport of dangerous goods
by Italy: Additional truck ban on A22 before Austrian border tomorrow
The authorities of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in Italy have imposed a temporary traffic ban for heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of over 7.5 tons on the A22 motorway heading towards the Austrian border.
The restrictions will be in force on the following dates: Thursday, May 29; Monday, June 9; and Thursday, June 19, 2025 – from 00:00 to 22:00. The ban applies to trucks over 7.5 tons traveling on the northern section of the A22 motorway from Vipiteno to the Austrian border. Vehicles already on this section at the start of the ban may stop at the SA.DO.BRE parking area in Vipiteno or other designated parking areas, according to the instructions of the local road police.
The purpose of the ban is to ensure traffic flow and safety on the Brenner motorway during periods of increased traffic due to public holidays in Austria and Germany, where similar restrictions are also in place.
Source: Decree of the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce
by Slovakia: Exemption from the driving ban on July 5
At the request of ČESMAD Slovakia, the Slovak police have agreed to introduce an exemption from the truck traffic ban on the national holiday – July 5.
Thanks to this exemption, all trucks entering Slovakia from selected neighboring countries will be allowed to travel on motorways, expressways, first-class roads, and international routes – provided that their final destination is within Slovak territory (e.g., company headquarters or unloading location).
by Summer truck driving bans in Macedonia
From July 1 to August 31, temporary summer traffic restrictions apply on national roads in Macedonia for heavy goods vehicles with a total weight over 15 tons during weekends and days with extremely high temperatures.
Ban hours:
▪️ Fridays from 17:00 to 22:00
▪️ Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00
▪️ Sundays from 09:00 to 22:00
On days of extreme heat, as defined by the Ministry of Health, the ban also applies Monday through Thursday from 11:00 to 17:00.
The restriction does not apply to vehicles transporting animals, flowers, humanitarian aid, grain and grain products, perishable goods, fuels and oil derivatives, dangerous goods, or to vehicles carrying out transport for companies contracted by the Public Enterprise for State Roads to implement road projects.
❌On the A2 national road, on the section Skopje – Ohrid – Skopje (valid until September 1), there is a ban on the movement of heavy goods vehicles with a total weight over 7.5 tons during weekends, at the following times:
▪️ Fridays from 15:00 to 22:00
▪️ Saturdays from 07:00 to 12:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00
▪️ Sundays from 07:00 to 22:00
This special traffic regime is introduced for the summer period to avoid congestion on the road leading to the most visited tourist destination in the Republic of Macedonia, to reduce queues at toll stations, and to ensure smooth traffic flow for tourists. The restriction does not apply to vehicles transporting live animals, flowers, humanitarian aid, grain and grain products, and perishable goods.
by Slovakia: Disruptions on the D3 – Horelica Tunnel Closure and Detours via Čadca
From June 29 to August 31 this year, drivers should expect major traffic disruptions in northern Slovakia. Due to expansion joint repairs in the D3 Horelica Tunnel (road I/11a, Čadca District), a partial closure is in effect on the route from Čadca towards Žilina.
➡️ Traffic coming from Poland and the Czech Republic is being diverted from the D3 Podzávoz junction onto the old I/11 road, passing through the center of Čadca and the Horelica district. The detour ends in the town of Oščadnica, where vehicles are reconnected to road I/11a.
➡️ Travel from Žilina towards the Czech Republic remains unaffected – traffic in this direction continues without restrictions.
The Slovak road authorities are urging drivers to exercise increased caution, remain patient, and follow temporary traffic signs. If necessary, police officers will manage traffic at critical sections.
by Closure of the D8 Motorway in the Czech Republic: Detours and Restrictions for Trucks Over 7.5 Tons
From July 2 to July 8, 2025, drivers traveling on the D8 motorway in northern Czechia should prepare for significant disruptions. When planning a trip through this region at the beginning of July, it is essential to consider detours, extra travel time, and weight restrictions.
A full closure will be in effect in both directions between kilometers 80 and 87 due to ongoing tunnel renovation works. This means mandatory detours, especially for trucks exceeding 7.5 tons.
How will trucks be rerouted?
❌ Towards Germany: Traffic will be redirected from Knínice through Varvažov, Telnice, and Petrovice, where drivers can rejoin the D8.
❌ Towards the Czech Republic (from Germany): Trucks will exit the motorway at Petrovice, continue via Tisá and Libouchec on road I/13, and re-enter the D8 at Knínice.
For trucks, these detours will operate as one-way routes only. The police are urging drivers who do not need to enter the Ústí Region to use alternative routes, such as:
Motorways D5 and D7 via Postoloprty and Hora Svatého Šebestiána, or
Road I/9 via Mělník, Česká Lípa, and Jiříkov.
This is intended to relieve traffic on narrow, mountainous detour roads and help avoid congestion.
Important restrictions:
❌ The Cínovec border crossing will be accessible only to vehicles up to 7.5 tons. Heavier transport will be redirected there only in case of major disruptions on other routes.
❌ Two Czech national holidays fall within this period, during which truck traffic is banned, further complicating route planning.
❌ Another challenge is the closure of the Benešov Bridge in Ústí nad Labem, which has already increased truck traffic toward Libouchec and Děčín.
by Austria Extends Border Controls with Slovenia and Hungary Until November 2025
In accordance with the amendment to the regulation issued by the Austrian Federal Minister of the Interior, temporary border controls at the borders with the Republic of Slovenia and Hungary have been extended until November 11, 2025.
This is yet another decision to continue control measures at the internal borders of the Schengen Area, which – according to the authorities in Vienna – aims to enhance security and combat illegal migration. The regulation represents a formal amendment to the previously existing legal framework in this area and takes effect immediately.
Carriers and drivers should be prepared for possible document checks when crossing the Austrian borders with Slovenia and Hungary – including on the EU side.
by Bratislava closes the D1 to truck transit over 7.5 t – permanent restriction in force
A permanent traffic restriction has been introduced on the D1 motorway in Bratislava for heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. The ban applies to transit traffic and is in force in both directions on a key section of the route: from the Pečňa junction, along Einsteinova Street and the Harbor Bridge (Most Prístavný), up to Zlaté Piesky.
The restriction does not apply to local transport – vehicles loading or unloading within Bratislava or its immediate surroundings may still use this section of the motorway without limitation. The aim of the restriction is to relieve the Slovak capital’s city center from heavy transit traffic and improve urban traffic flow.
However, in practice, this means significant changes for transport companies, especially those involved in international freight passing through Slovakia. The D1 route through Bratislava is an important part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), connecting Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
Trucks transiting through Bratislava are obliged to use an alternative route, namely the southern bypass, which includes the D2, D4, and then reconnects to the D1. This applies in both east–west and west–east directions. Failure to comply with the new regulations may result in fines, so following the detour is not only a legal requirement but also crucial from an operational and economic standpoint.