by German Unity Day: 22-Hour Truck Ban + Additional Restrictions in Neighboring Countries
On October 3, Germany celebrates one of its most important national holidays – German Unity Day. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Friday, which has implications for international transport.
According to German regulations, on public holidays a driving ban applies to trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tons. The restriction will be in force from 00:00 to 22:00 across the entire road network in all federal states.
List of exemptions from the bans:
Restrictions in neighboring countries
To avoid traffic congestion at the borders, Austria and Luxembourg have also introduced restrictions for trucks heading to Germany on this day:
❌ Austria – the ban applies from 00:00 to 22:00 on the A12 and A13 motorways for vehicles traveling towards Germany.
❌ Luxembourg – the ban applies from 00:00 to 21:45 for trucks heading towards Germany.
In both countries, exemptions from the bans are provided for, similar to those in Germany.
by Czech Republic: Complete Closure of D8 Motorway from October 2
Between October 2 and 8, 2025, drivers can expect significant disruptions on the D8 motorway in the Czech Republic. The third and final phase of renovation works and modernization of technological systems in the Panenská and Libouchec tunnels will begin.
As a result, the section of the motorway between the 80th and 87th kilometer will be closed in both directions. Detour routes will be identical to those used in previous phases. The police report that additional patrols will be deployed on local roads to ensure traffic flow and safety.
❌ Detour from Germany (to the Czech Republic)
▪ Exit D8 at the 87th kilometer
▪ Route 248 through Petrovice
▪ Turn onto Route 528 towards Libouchec
▪ Proceed along section of Route I/13
▪ Rejoin D8 at the 80th kilometer
❌ Detour from the Czech Republic (to Germany)
▪ Exit D8 at the 80th kilometer
▪ Proceed along Route I/13 towards Varvažov
▪ Turn onto Route 248 towards Petrovice
▪ Rejoin D8 at the 87th kilometer
At four key intersections, road police patrols will be present, additionally supported by a mobile unit. Their tasks will include: supervising compliance with temporary traffic signs, directing traffic in case of congestion, ensuring safety on the detour routes. Additionally, to improve traffic flow:
◾ Information boards have been installed at the Petrovice intersection for vehicles coming from Germany
◾ On two critical uphill sections towards Petrovice, the road surface has been roughened to minimize the risk of wheel slippage for heavy vehicles and the formation of traffic jams
The police urge truck and car drivers to follow the regulations and traffic signs. Wherever possible, it is recommended to choose alternative border crossings on the Czech–Germany route, as traffic congestion may occur on the detour routes.
by Austria: New Nighttime Truck Bans in Force Until 17 October
In Tyrol, renovation works on the Lueg Bridge are ongoing. The truck traffic restrictions currently in place during the daytime remain valid until 2 October. From 6 to 17 October, a new stage of restrictions will be introduced, this time at night.
During the day, only one lane in each direction will be available on the Lueg Bridge, while the main construction work will take place at night. To ensure safety, a traffic ban for trucks over 3.5 tonnes has been imposed. The ban will apply on the following nights, from Monday to Thursday night (i.e. until Friday at 05:00 a.m.):
❌ A12 Inntal and A13 Brenner – both directions (*if the destination of the journey is the Nößlach – Brenner Nord section)
◾ 6 – 7 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 7 – 8 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 8 – 9 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 9 – 10 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 13 – 14 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 14 – 15 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 15 – 16 October 21:00 – 05:00
◾ 16 – 17 October 21:00 – 05:00
*The phrase “if the destination of the journey is the Nößlach – Brenner Nord section” in practice means that the nighttime truck ban only applies to vehicles that must cross the Lueg Bridge – i.e. their route necessarily requires travelling on the specific A13 section between the Nößlach junction and Brenner Nord. If a truck is travelling on a different route that does not require use of this section, the ban does not apply.
❌ A13 Brenner – northbound (towards Innsbruck)
◾ 6 – 7 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 7 – 8 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 8 – 9 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 9 – 10 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 13 – 14 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 14 – 15 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 15 – 16 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 16 – 17 October 22:00 – 05:00
❌ A13 Brenner – Matrei-Steinach to Brenner Nord section, both directions
◾ 6 – 7 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 7 – 8 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 8 – 9 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 9 – 10 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 13 – 14 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 14 – 15 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 15 – 16 October 22:00 – 05:00
◾ 16 – 17 October 22:00 – 05:00
To enforce the bans, control points will be set up in Oberland (Pettnau) and in the Kufstein area, to ensure that trucks over 3.5 tonnes do not enter the Lueg Bridge at night. Vehicles whose destination requires crossing the bridge will be turned back. Inspections also cover the entry from Italy onto the A13 via the Brenner Pass heading towards Germany, where trucks over 3.5 tonnes will be turned back to Italy after 22:00.
The bans are enforced jointly by the police and ASFINAG. Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes may pass over the bridge using a single lane, while buses are diverted regionally via the B182. For trucks over 3.5 tonnes and for vehicles with trailers, no diversion via this route is available.
by Spain A-7: Partial Reopening of Aguadulce Tunnels for ADR Trucks
As of 6 October 2025, trucks transporting dangerous goods (ADR) can once again use the Aguadulce tunnels on the A-7 motorway in Spain, but only in the direction of Murcia. Restrictions and detours remain in place for traffic heading toward Algeciras.
The Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) announced that from Monday, 6 October, at 07:00, passage for vehicles carrying dangerous goods through the Aguadulce tunnels on the A-7 motorway (km 795–797) in the direction of Murcia has been reinstated.
In the opposite direction, toward Algeciras, restrictions remain in effect until roadworks are fully completed. For vehicles transporting dangerous goods, the following detours have been designated:
✅ Route 1: Puerto Lumbreras – A-91 – A-92N – A-92 – A-44 – A-7 to Motril
✅ Route 2: Almería exit (Viator, A-7/A-92 junction) – A-92 – A-44 – A-7 to Motril
by Belgium – Night closures on E19 may cause delays
From Wednesday, October 8 to Sunday, October 12, 2025, truck drivers heading towards Antwerp and Ghent should expect nighttime closures on the E19 motorway near the Antwerpen-Noord interchange.
The Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic (Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer – AWV) has announced maintenance and resurfacing works to be carried out during this period.
The Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic (Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer – AWV) has announced maintenance and resurfacing works to be carried out during this period.
During the works, the E19 towards Antwerp/Ghent will be completely closed. The roadworks schedule is as follows:
⭕ Wednesday to Friday: between 21:00 and 05:00
⭕ Saturday morning: until 07:30
⭕ Sunday morning: until 08:30
⭕ Saturday evening: works will start at 22:00 (one hour later than on other days)
Traffic will be diverted via the A12 motorway:
⭕ Exit Ekeren (16)
⭕ then Noorderlaan (N180)
⭕ rejoining the A12 towards Antwerp
During the day, the E19 will remain open, but traffic will run on the asphalt base layer with temporary yellow markings.
No disruptions are expected in the direction of the Netherlands.
by Austria: temporary closure of the Katschberg Tunnel on the A10 Tauern Motorway. No detour for trucks.
On Saturday, 11 October 2025, the Katschberg Tunnel on the A10 Tauern Motorway will be temporarily closed from 18:00 to 00:00 due to rescue drills involving ASFINAG, local authorities, emergency services, the fire brigade, and the police.
Passenger vehicles will be diverted between the Rennweg and St. Michael im Lungau junctions onto the B99 Katschberg federal road. Trucks will not be able to use the detour and must wait until the tunnel reopens before continuing their journey.
The exercise scenario includes a coach accident with injured passengers and subsequent collisions inside the tunnel. The main focus is on rescuing people, ensuring efficient communication procedures, and familiarity with the site. Such drills are mandatory and are regularly conducted in all tunnels managed by ASFINAG.
by Slovakia: No truck driving ban on September 1st
Carriers planning transit through Slovakia can breathe a sigh of relief. On September 1, 2025, there will be no truck driving ban, even though this date remains a public holiday – Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic.
The amendment to Act No. 241/1993 Coll. on Public Holidays, Non-Working Days and Memorial Days established an exception to the general rule that public holidays are also non-working days, such as Constitution Day. A similar situation has been in place for several years with respect to the Day of the Establishment of the Independent Czecho-Slovak State, observed on October 28.
In Slovakia, the driving ban for trucks (over 7.5 t and vehicle combinations over 3.5 t) applies on Sundays and on statutory non-working days (§ 39 para. 2 of Act No. 8/2009 Coll. on Road Traffic). Since September 1 is no longer classified as a non-working day but only as a “public holiday,” the truck driving ban does not apply. In practice, this means that on September 1, 2025 (Monday), trucks may operate on Slovak roads without any holiday-related restrictions, and transport companies can plan routes and deliveries as on any regular working day.
by Austria: Night-time closures of the Arlberg Tunnel from 22 September this year
The Arlberg Tunnel on Austria’s S16 road will be completely closed due to maintenance works from Monday, 22 September to Friday, 26 September 2025, each night between 20:00 and 04:00.
During this period, traffic will be diverted via the B197 Arlbergstraße, between the junction with the S16 and the national border at the Arlberg Pass. To ensure smooth traffic flow, the ban on motor vehicles with trailers, which normally applies to this section, will be lifted for the duration of the maintenance works.
by Bulgaria: Truck Traffic Bans >12 t on Motorways on September 20 and 22
In connection with the celebration of Bulgaria’s Independence Day, which falls on September 22, the authorities are introducing temporary restrictions on the movement of trucks with a gross vehicle weight of over 12 tons. The restrictions will affect the main motorways: Trakia, Struma, and Hemus.
The driving bans will apply during peak hours as follows:
▪️ September 20 (Saturday) – from 08:00 to 13:00
▪️ September 22 (Monday, public holiday) – from 14:00 to 20:00, only in the direction of Sofia
September 21 (Sunday) remains free from restrictions.
The restrictions apply to:
➡️ the Struma and Trakia motorways – along their entire length in both directions,
➡️ the Hemus motorway – in both directions, on the section between Sofia and the roundabout with road I-4 Brestnitsa – Lovech.
The bans do not apply to vehicles providing public passenger transport.
On the Hemus and Struma motorways, vehicles over 12 tons transporting dangerous goods (ADR), live animals, perishable foodstuffs, or goods requiring temperature-controlled transport are exempt from the restrictions.
In addition, vehicles transporting dangerous goods (ADR) are exempt from the restrictions on the section between the Ihtiman junction (at km 34) and the Vakarel junction (at km 23) in the direction of Sofia.
by Germany: Autumn closures of the A7 tunnel in Hamburg
Drivers will face significant disruptions on the A7 motorway in the Hamburg area. The most important tunnel in northern Germany, the Elbtunnel, will be completely closed on several dates in autumn 2025. The restrictions will apply to the section between Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld.
According to Autobahn GmbH, the closures are due to the installation of new gantries with road signs and the modernization of the tunnel’s traffic control system, which will be equipped with new software.
Tunnel closure dates:
❌ September 26-29
❌ October 17-20
❌ November 7-10
❌ December 5-8
Each closure will last 55 hours and affect both traffic directions. Work will begin on Friday at 10:00 p.m. and finish on Monday at 5:00 a.m. During this period, a detour will be in place via the A1 and A21 motorways and the B205 road. Drivers should allow extra travel time and expect possible congestion on the alternative routes.
In addition to the Elbtunnel, the Stellingen tunnel will also be closed on the following dates:
❌ November 14-17 – 55 hours
❌ December 6-7 – 12 hours (overnight closure).