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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.

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NEW summer transit restrictions on Austria’s A10 in the state of Salzburg

The authorities of the federal state of Salzburg are introducing temporary entry restrictions from the A10 motorway (Tauernautobahn) to several local and national roads. The new rules will apply throughout the summer, from July 4 to September 7, 2025, and aim to reduce transit traffic through small towns in the region.

The entry bans apply to trucks and passenger vehicles that do not have a destination in Austria – i.e. transit traffic that often uses local detours to bypass congestion on main routes. The restriction applies to vehicles exiting the A10 or turning back into local and national road networks. It applies exclusively to transit traffic. Only destination traffic within Austria and cyclists are exempt (indicated by the sign “ausgenommen Zielverkehr Österreich,” possibly with the “A” country symbol).

❌ Flachgau region – Salzburg surroundings

➔ Municipality of Anif
● B159 Salzachtal Straße (direction Hallein), at road km 0.0+4m
● Ahornstraße at the intersection with B160 – Berchtesgadener Straße (direction Niederalm)
● Neu-Anifer Straße at the intersection with B160 – Berchtesgadener Straße (direction Niederalm)
● Kirchenstraße at the intersection with B159 (direction Grödig)
● Schloss-Lasseregg-Straße at the intersection with B159 (direction Grödig)
Exemptions: cyclists and destination traffic within the state of Salzburg

➔ Municipality of Elsbethen
● L105 Halleiner Landesstraße, direction Hallein, at km 4.0–56m
Exemptions: cyclists and destination traffic within the state of Salzburg

➔ Municipality of Grödig
● Neue-Heimat-Straße at the intersection with B160 (direction Grödig town centre)
● Moosstraße after the intersection with Jagerbauernweg (direction Fürstenbrunn/Grödig)
● Access road to the Leube company (Gutrathbergweg), approx. km 1.8+20m B160 (direction Hallein)
Exemptions: cyclists and destination traffic to the municipalities of Grödig and Salzburg
● L104 Grödiger Landesstraße, road km 8.0+28m (direction Niederalm)
● L104 at the intersection with B160 (direction Grödig)
● L237 Glanegger Landesstraße at the intersection with Moosstraße (direction Fürstenbrunn)
● B160 at the Hangendenstein border crossing (direction Salzburg)
Exemptions: cyclists and destination traffic to the state of Salzburg

➔ Municipality of Großgmain
● L237 at the intersection with L114 (direction Fürstenbrunn)
– Sign: “Zufahrt Latschenwirt frei” followed by “ausgenommen Radfahrer / Ziel- oder Quellverkehr Land Salzburg”
● L114 at the Großgmain border crossing (direction Salzburg)

➔ Municipality of Wals-Siezenheim
● Viehhauser Straße at the intersection with Autobahnweg (direction Viehhausen)
● Lagerhausstraße and Edelweißstraße at intersections with B1 (direction Wals town centre)
● Schulstraße at the intersection with Kasernenstraße (direction Walserfeld)
● Grödigerweg at the intersection with B1 (direction Viehhausen)
● Josef-Hauthaler-Straße at the intersection with Laschenskystraße (direction Moosstraße)
● B1 Wiener Straße, km 312.074 (direction Salzburg)
Exemptions: cyclists and destination traffic to the municipality of Wals-Siezenheim and/or the state of Salzburg

❌ Tennengau region (Hallein district)

Entry bans from A10 motorway exits (Tauernautobahn), for transit traffic only:
● Exit Puch-Urstein (Exit 11) – carriageway toward Villach – to Urstein Süd roundabout
● Exit Puch-Urstein (Exit 11) – carriageway toward Salzburg – to Urstein Nord roundabout
● Exit Hallein (Exit 16) – both carriageways – to L107 road (Wiestalstraße roundabout)
● Exit Golling-Abtenau (Exit 28) – both carriageways – to B159 road
● Exit Kuchl (Exit 22) – to B159 at road km 14.356:
– Exit toward Hallein – sign on the right-hand side, at the center of the junction
– Exit toward Kuchl – sign on the right-hand island between directions

❌ Pongau region (St. Johann im Pongau district)

Entry bans except for destination traffic to Austria, apply at:
● Exit Werfen (Exit 43) – to B159
● Exit Pfarrwerfen-Werfen (Exit 44) – to L229 Werfenwenger Straße
● Exit Knoten Pongau (Exit 46) – via ramp A10;46;R5 to L276 Kreuzberg Straße
● Exit Lammertal-Hüttau (Exit 56) – to B166 Pass Gschütt Straße
● Exit Eben im Pongau (Exit 60) – to B99 Katschberg Straße
● Exit Altenmarkt im Pongau (Exit 63) – to B320 Ennstal Straße
● Exit Flachau (Exit 66) – to L230 (Flachau roundabout)
● Exit Flachauwinkl (Exit 74) – to Flachauwinkl municipal road

Additional restrictions: Entry from the turnaround lanes of the Landzeit rest area (Gasthof Nord and Süd):
● Near the Gasthofsiedlung housing estate
● In the industrial zone of Gasthof Süd

❌ Lungau region (Tamsweg district)

● Exit Zederhaus from the A10 – entry to L212 Zederhauser Straße
Restriction applies except for destination traffic to Austria
Sign: “Einfahrt verboten” (No entry) + additional sign “ausgenommen Zielverkehr Österreich” placed on the right-hand side of the ramp

The bans will be marked with the standard “Einfahrt verboten” (No entry) sign, accompanied by an information board reading “Except for destination traffic – Austria” (possibly including the country symbol “A”).
❗ The restrictions come into effect once the signage is installed and remain in force until removed.

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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.

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Hungary eases truck driving ban for Pentecost – night-time transit allowed

At the request of industry organizations, Hungarian authorities have decided to partially suspend the truck driving ban during night hours in order to ensure uninterrupted deliveries and meet increased demand during the long weekend.

The weekend driving restriction for heavy vehicles would normally apply for 48 consecutive hours during the Pentecost weekend. However, the ban will be partially lifted between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM the following day to allow overnight transit.

The truck driving ban will apply during the following hours:

❌ Sunday, June 8 – from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
❌ Monday, June 9 – from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

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Austria: Truck traffic ban on Brenner Pass towards Italy on May 28

On Wednesday, May 28, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, a temporary truck traffic ban will be in effect in Austria on one of the main routes from Germany to Italy via the Brenner Pass. The restriction is based on § 42 (3a) of the Austrian Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) and applies in particular to the A13 Brenner Autobahn.

According to this regulation, on May 28 between 7:00 and 22:00, trucks and vehicle combinations with a maximum permissible gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes are prohibited from driving. The same applies to trucks with trailers if the total weight also exceeds 7.5 tonnes.

The ban is directional and applies only to southbound traffic towards Italy, if the destination of the journey includes the section of the A13 between the Nößlach and Brenner Nord interchanges, which is the final stretch before the national border.

❌ The ban applies to the following motorways:
◾ A12 Inntal Autobahn,
◾ A13 Brenner Autobahn,
◾ A14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn,
provided that the destination includes the section of the A13 from Nößlach to Brenner Nord leading to the Italian border.

In practice, this means the restriction covers all trucks meeting the weight criteria that are traveling from Austria to Italy via the Brenner Pass.

The ban does not apply to:
◾ traffic in the opposite direction (from Italy to Austria),
◾ journeys that do not include the restricted final section of the A13.

This restriction is in force on selected days of the year, including May 28, due to anticipated high traffic volumes and the need to reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles on heavily used sections of the Austrian motorway network.

Exemptions from the ban

The following journeys are exempt from the ban:

Trips carried out exclusively for:
◾ the transport of livestock, postal shipments, newspapers, drinks to tourist areas, deliveries to fuel stations, restaurants or events,
◾ repairs to refrigeration systems, towing services, road assistance, disaster relief, medical care,
◾ vehicles of road maintenance companies or contracted vehicles, road traffic or railway construction,
◾ vehicles of public security services, fire brigades, waste collection, waste disposal, sewage treatment operations,
◾ regular public transport services, amusement rides, or transport for lighting and sound technicians traveling to and from work locations, journeys under § 42 (3a) StVO, as well as transports by trucks or articulated vehicles of Austrian or foreign armed forces present in Austria under the Federal Law Gazette I No. 57/2001, or aid transports by recognized relief organizations.

Transports carried out exclusively to or from civil airports (§ 64 of the Aviation Act) or military airfields used for civil aviation under § 62 (3) of the Aviation Act.

Combined rail-road or water-road freight transport: from the sender to the nearest technically suitable rail loading terminal or from the nearest suitable unloading terminal to the recipient, and return to the next loading location, provided that a fully completed document is carried, proving that the vehicle or its superstructure (e.g. swap body or container) has been or will be transported by rail.
The same applies analogously to combined water-road transport.

§ 42 ust. 3a StVO – Straßenverkehrsordnung

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Germany Tightens Border Controls – Drivers Should Expect Delays

The new German federal government, following the announcements of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, is introducing even stricter controls at national borders, including crossings with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and many other neighboring countries. These measures aim to reduce the number of illegal entries into Germany.

Permanent and Mobile Border Controls – List of Affected Countries

Temporary border checks at Germany’s land borders were reinstated on September 16, 2024, and remain in place until further notice. Currently, these controls cover the borders with Austria (in place continuously since 2015), Poland, Czechia (since October 2023), as well as France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Some of these crossings – for example, the Saalbrücke bridge in Freilassing at the Austrian border – have been re-equipped with permanent checkpoints. On busy routes like the A8 motorway between Munich and Salzburg, intensified checks have been in place for some time. The Bavarian federal police have assured that these operations will be conducted in a way that minimizes disruption, but travelers are likely to feel the impact.

Impact on Drivers and Carriers

For road carriers and professional drivers, this means one thing – they must prepare for extended travel times and potential delays in fulfilling transport orders. The most significant traffic jams and queues regularly form at borders with Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Switzerland, especially at major motorway crossings:

❌ Austria: Suben (A3), Walserberg (A8), Kiefersfelden (A93) – peak wait times can exceed 30 minutes.
❌ Poland: A12 at the Frankfurt (Oder) crossing (on the Polish side – A2).
❌ Czechia: Increased checks on A17 (Prague–Dresden), possible queues at crossings: Breitenau-Schönwald, Selb, Schirnding, Waidhaus.
❌ Switzerland: Delays at Basel, Weil am Rhein (A5), Kreuzlingen-Konstanz.

Exit Checks and Neighboring Countries’ Measures

In response to international developments, Germany’s neighboring countries have also reinstated border checks for entries from German territory:

❌ Denmark: Reintroduced border checks for arrivals from Germany on October 6, 2024.
❌ France: Imposed temporary controls on all land borders, including with Germany, from November 2024, officially due to the threat of terrorism and smuggling.
❌ Netherlands: Since December 2024, mobile checks aimed at minimizing the impact on freight transport.
❌ Austria and Czechia: Random checks during specific occasions.
❌ Additionally, despite being part of the Schengen area, Switzerland still maintains customs checks, which can be burdensome for freight transport.

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Closed Access to A2 towards Świecko. Detours via DK92 from May 17

Starting May 17, the first phase of pavement renovation will begin at the Poznań Wschód motorway interchange, where the A2 motorway intersects with the S5 expressway from Bydgoszcz. During this stage, access to the A2 motorway will be closed in both the Świecko and Warsaw directions.

As part of the expansion project to add a third traffic lane in each direction on the concession section of the A2 between the Poznań Krzesiny and Poznań Wschód interchanges, Autostrada Wielkopolska SA is moving forward with the pavement resurfacing at the Poznań Wschód interchange. The work involves replacing the surface layer and is planned in phases to minimize disruptions for drivers, ensuring that some traffic can still pass through the interchange. The first phase, focused on the renovation of the on-ramps, will start on May 17.

Detours due to ramp closures:

❌ For drivers from Bydgoszcz/Gniezno and Września heading towards Świecko – follow the detour from the Kostrzyn interchange via national road DK92 through Poznań to the Poznań Krzesiny interchange.

❌ For drivers from Kleszczewo heading towards Świecko – use the detour via the Kostrzyn interchange, DK92, and Poznań.

❌ For drivers from Bydgoszcz/Gniezno heading towards Warsaw – follow the detour from the Kostrzyn interchange via national road DK92 to the Września interchange.

❌ For drivers from Kleszczewo heading towards Warsaw – also follow the detour via the Kostrzyn interchange, DK92, and the Września interchange.

Additionally, traffic traveling west towards Świecko on the A2 main carriageway, between km 180 and km 179, will be shifted to the southbound lanes near the Poznań Wschód interchange. A speed limit of 60 km/h will be enforced in the area where the lanes are merged.
Please drive carefully and pay attention to road signs.

he resurfacing work on the on-ramps at the Poznań Wschód interchange is expected to last approximately two weeks. However, the pace of work and the completion date will largely depend on favorable weather conditions. Poor weather could delay the schedule.

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Double Closure of the A12 in the Netherlands: Traffic Jams and Detours to Paralyze Transport

The Dutch A12 motorway, one of the key routes for international transport, will be completely closed twice in 2025. Each closure will last for 9 consecutive days and nights, with the affected section stretching from Veenendaal to Utrecht (approximately 30 km) – one of the most frequently used corridors by freight carriers transiting through the Netherlands.

Rijkswaterstaat – the Dutch road authority – has announced a major resurfacing project. The old asphalt will be completely removed and replaced with new pavement using so-called “silent asphalt” technology, aimed at reducing noise levels in the surrounding areas. Dutch authorities are already warning of severe traffic congestion and delays that may extend travel times by more than an hour.

A12 Closure Dates

❌ May 9 (Friday), 8:00 PM – May 19 (Monday), 5:00 AM
❌ August 22 (Friday), 8:00 PM – September 1 (Monday), 5:00 AM

Plans for the closure of the opposite direction (Utrecht → Veenendaal) are still under development, but similar disruptions can be expected along that stretch as well.

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Hungary: No traffic ban during the night before May 1st! Trucks can operate until Thursday morning

This is important news for those planning routes through Hungary before the long May weekend. The night from April 30 to May 1 will be open for trucks – the driving ban for vehicles over 7.5 tons will only come into force on May 1 at 6:00 AM.

reviously, the ban was supposed to start already on Wednesday, April 30, at 10:00 PM. Thanks to the new regulation, drivers have gained an additional 8 hours to complete their routes and reach their destination before restrictions begin. The decision was made at the request of the Ministry of Transport to ensure the smooth flow of goods and provide greater flexibility in transport planning. The Ministry explains that this solution is intended to help companies and drivers better utilize the time before the official restrictions.

Truck traffic ban in Hungary during the May holidays:

❌Thursday, May 1, 2025 – ban from 06:00 to 22:00
❌ Saturday, May 3, 2025 – ban from 22:00
❌ Sunday, May 4, 2025 – ban until 22:00

The ban applies to all trucks with a GVW over 7.5 tons. This means that Wednesday evening (April 30) and night are available for transport – a good opportunity to plan your route accordingly.

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Slovakia Eases Truck Driving Bans on May 1 and 8 ➡ Details

In connection with the upcoming public holidays, the Presidium of the Police Force of the Slovak Republic, at the request of the ČESMAD Slovakia association, has granted an exemption from the truck driving ban on May 1 and May 8, 2025.

The exemption applies to all trucks traveling on highways, expressways, first-class roads, and international routes entering the territory of the Slovak Republic from certain neighboring countries, provided their destination (e.g., a vehicle depot or unloading site) is located within the territory of the Slovak Republic.