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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.

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Attention! Austria has announced new truck bans – effective from today

The Austrian Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure has published the 72nd regulation regarding additional driving bans for heavy goods vehicles in 2025. The document precisely defines the days and hours when restrictions will apply on key transit routes – including motorways A12 and A13 and national roads – and introduces a number of exemptions.

❌ The driving ban applies to:

◾ Trucks and tractor units with a maximum permissible gross weight (MPGW) over 7.5 tons,
◾ Vehicle combinations whose total MPGW exceeds 7.5 tons.

Truck driving bans

❌ April 18, 2025 and October 3, 2025 from 00:00 to 22:00
– on A12 Inntal and A13 Brenner motorways, if the destination is Germany or a country reached via Germany.

❌ April 19, 2025 from 11:00 to 15:00,
April 25, 2025 from 11:00 to 22:00,
June 2, 2025 from 09:00 to 22:00
– on A12 and A13, if the destination is Italy or a country reached via Italy.

❌ Every Saturday from July 5 to August 30, 2025 from 08:00 to 15:00, outside built-up areas in both directions, on the following national roads:
◾ B178 Loferer Straße: Lofer – Wörgl
◾ B320 Ennstalstraße: from km 4.500
◾ B177 Seefelder Straße: entire section
◾ B179 Fernpassstraße: Nassereith – Biberwier
◾ B181 Achensee Straße: entire section
◾ B182 Brenner Straße: entire section

❌ Every Saturday from June 28 to August 30, 2025 from 08:00 to 15:00
– on A4 Ost Autobahn from Schwechat junction to the national border in Nickelsdorf in both directions.
Exemptions apply to destination and origin transport to/from the following districts: Neusiedl am See, Eisenstadt, Eisenstadt-Umgebung, Rust, Mattersburg, Bruck an der Leitha, Gänserndorf and Korneuburg.

Exemptions from the bans

The bans mentioned in §1 do not apply to:

❌ 1. Transport of:
◾ Slaughter animals, feed, perishable food products, postal shipments, newspapers, beverages to tourist areas,
◾ Urgent deliveries to fuel stations, restaurants, events or refrigeration equipment repairs,
◾ Roadside assistance, emergency services, medical supplies, road maintenance, road and railway construction,
◾ Public service vehicles (police, fire brigade, waste collection, wastewater treatment),
◾ Transport of technical equipment for events (e.g. tent rentals), transport by showmen and technical crew (e.g. lighting, sound),
◾ Military transport of Bundeswehr or foreign troops under military stay regulations.

❌ 2. Trips to/from civilian airports and military airports used for civilian purposes.
❌ 3. Combined transport rail-road or water-road (provided appropriate documentation confirms the rail or waterway shipment of containers or swap bodies).
❌ 4. Trips to Germany, if it can be proven that they are exempt from German driving bans.
❌ 5. Trips to Italy, if it can be proven that they are exempt from Italian driving bans.

❌ Exempt from the bans listed in points 3 and 4 are empty vehicle journeys before 10:00, returning to the driver’s residence, company headquarters, freight terminal, truck yard, or location where the company provides return transport via public transit or company vehicle.

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Slovakia: a derogation from the HGV driving ban on April 18

In connection with the upcoming Easter holidays, the Presidium of the Police of the Slovak Republic has announced a special derogation from of the HGV driving ban.

The derogation will be in effect on Friday, April 18, and will apply only to lorries returning to Slovakia from neighboring countries, provided their destination is a vehicle station, the company’s operational centre or a place of unloading located in Slovakia. The exemption applies to journeys made along motorways, expressways, class I roads and roads designated for international traffic – but only in the case of vehicles whose place of destination is located in Slovakia. In other words, trucks passing through Slovakia will not able to benefit from this exemption.

It is worth noting that a similar exemption has not been granted for Monday, April 21, which means that on that day the HGV driving ban will apply as usual, from 00:00 to 10:00 PM.

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Czechia and Austria tighten border controls – new rules for lorries

Today, April 4, marks the entry into force of of new, stricter rules for lorries crossing the border with Slovakia. Additional restrictions have also been introduced by Austrian, which has decided to temporarily close several border crossings with Slovakia and Hungary.

Czech-Slovakian

In an effort to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the Czech Republic has introduced the obligation of disinfection and limited the number of border crossings available for road transport.

Heavy goods vehicles, regardless of the type of cargo being transported, are only allowed to use five border crossings to enter the Czech Republic:
✅ Lanžhot – Brodské
✅ Starý Hrozenkov – Drietoma
✅ Bílá-Bumbálka – Makov
✅ Mosty u Jablunkova – Svrčinovec
✅ Hodonín – Holič
Every vehicle with a GVW over 3.5 tonnes will undergo mandatory disinfection at these border crossings. The first four crossings are designated for transports subject to veterinary inspection, including transports of animals, animal products and animal feed. Such trabsport will undergo more stringent disinfection procedures.
These measures may affect travel times and international logistics. The limited number of border crossings and additional inspections may cause delays at the border. Hauliers and freight forwarders should take this into account when planning routes and deliveries.

Austria closes some border crossings with Slovakia and Hungary

In order to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, in particular its spread to Austria’s border regions, some border crossings will be temporarily closed from April 5. The police ask travellers to understand that no further details will be announced regarding the time of border checks, the number of deployed staff, the form of checks at different locations. The regulation comes into effect on the day of announcement and will apply until 20 May inclusive.

✅ The following border crossings with Slovakia are temporarily closed:
◾ Angern-March/Záhorská Ves
◾ Schloss Hof/Devínska Nová Ves

✅ The following border crossings with Hungary are temporarily closed:
◾ Andau – Jánossomorja
◾ Andau – Kapuvár (access to the Andau bridge)
◾ Baumgarten – Sopron
◾ Deutsch Jahrndorf – Rajka
◾ Deutschkreutz – Harka
◾ Deutschkreutz – Nagycenk
◾ Halbturn – Várbalog
◾ Halbturn – Várbalog (Albertkázmérpuszta)
◾ Klostermarienberg-Olmod
◾ Loipersbach – Ágfalva
◾ Lutzmannsburg – Zsira
◾ Lutzmannsburg (Rebberg) – Zsira
◾ Lutzmannsburg (Therme) – Zsira
◾ Neckenmarkt – Harka
◾ Nickelsdorf – Rajka
◾ Nikitsch – Sopronkövesd
◾ Nikitsch – Zsira
◾ Ritzing (Helenenschacht) – Sopron (Brennebergbánya)
◾ Schattendorf – Ágfalva
◾ Sieggraben (Herrentisch) – Sopron (Görbehalomtelep)
◾ Wallern – Kapuvár (access to Wallern Bridge)

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Disaster on Norway’s E6: Detour Extends Route by Over 300 km

A major rockslide has completely blocked both directions of the E6 highway in Rosten (Gudbrandsdalen region), one of Norway’s most vital transport arteries. The incident has brought transit traffic to a standstill, forcing carriers to take lengthy detours, leading to increased costs and operational challenges.

The landslide occurred overnight between March 30 and 31. A massive rockfall, plummeting from a height of approximately 50 meters, swept down boulders, trees, and soil, completely obstructing the roadway. The E6 serves as a key north-south transport corridor, connecting the regions of Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, and Oslo with southern Norway and Sweden. Geologists from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) are currently assessing the site, but there is no clear timeline for reopening the road. Officials warn that clearing the debris and securing the slope could take considerable time.

The Norwegian Road Transport Association (NLF) responded immediately to the crisis. NLF regional director Guttorm Tysnes has urged authorities to temporarily allow modular truck combinations on county roads 27 (via Venabygdsfjellet) and 29 (Folldal–Hjerkinn). He emphasizes that these routes are already accessible to heavy vehicle combinations up to 24 meters in length and 60 tons in weight, which would enable standard modular transport units (TSL) to pass.

For carriers who regularly rely on the E136, the detour through Østerdalen adds as much as 340 kilometers to their round-trip journey. This makes it significantly more difficult to comply with drivers’ working hours and results in substantial additional costs says Tysnes.

Østerdalen Detour – The Only Alternative

Norwegian road authorities have identified national road 3 (Rv. 3) in Østerdalen as the only viable detour:

➡️ From the south: E6 Kolomoen – Rv. 3 Elverum – Rv. 3 Østerdalen – E6 Ulsberg
➡️ From the north: E6 Ulsberg – Rv. 3 Østerdalen – E6 Kolomoen
➡️ From the west: E6 Dombås – E6 Ulsberg – Rv. 3 Elverum – E6 Kolomoen

Drivers and transport operators are urged to plan their routes ahead of time and stay updated with announcements from Norwegian road authorities.

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A complete closure of the bridge on the border between Romania and Bulgaria

The road-rail bridge over the Danube connecting Giurgiu (Romania) and Ruse (Bulgaria) will be closed on March 27, starting from 9:00 AM. During the closure is required to enable concreting spaces between new road panels.

The bridge will be reopened to car traffic the same day at 12:00, but drivers of HGVs will have to wait until 9:00 AM on March 28. All drivers are advised to plan their route in advance to avoid traffic jams and long waits near the bridge.

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A nighttime closure of the A12 in both directions – a diversion via Innsbruck

As part of a major renovation of the A12 motorway in the Inn Valley, the bridge over the motorway between Hall-West and Innsbruck-East will be demolished on Saturday, March 22.

As a result, the A12 motorway will be closed in both directions from 8:00 p.m. to around 6:00 a.m. Traffic will be diverted through the city of Innsbruck.

The demolition work has been deliberately scheduled to take place during the weekend night so as to benefit from low traffic intensity, and will be carried out with the help of enough resources to ensure it can be completed overnight. The bridge over the motorway near Ampass/Peerhöfe will be rebuilt by the end of the year.

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Belgium: disruptions in the Liefkenshoek and Bevrijdings tunnels

Drivers travelling through Belgium must be ready for disruptions in the Liefkenshoek and Bevrijdings (A12) tunnels in Wilrijk, which are connected with maintenance and repair work.

⏺️ Liefkenshoek

Maintenance work is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21.
➡ On March 20, the tunnel will be closed in the direction of Ghent/Beveren, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
➡ On March 21, the tunnel will be closed in the direction of the Netherlands/Stabroek, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Diversion routes
Signed diversion routes will be available during the closures.

⏺️ Bevrijdings

The resurfacing of the Bevrijdings tunnel (A12) in Wilrijk will start on Monday, 24 March and will last for four nights.
➡ the road in the direction of Brussels will be closed on the night from March 24 to 25 and from March 25 to 26, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
➡ the road in the direction of Antwerp: on the night from March 26 to 27 and from March 27 to 28, also from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Traffic will be diverted via Antwerpen-Zuid – Vogelzanglaan – Jan van Rijswijcklaan/Boomsesteenweg (N177).

During the closure of the tunnel road in the direction of Brussels, no diversion will be possible via Craeybeckx Tunnel owing to extensive maintenance work, which has been carried out in the tunnel since the beginning of the year, which also takes place between 9pm and 5am.

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Drivers work schedule – which one really pays off? The answer is not obvious

Every professional driver knows that the work schedule is a key aspect of everyday functioning. In addition to having an impact on the earnings, it also affects the driver’s health, family life and overall work satisfaction. Drivers’ preferences vary opinions, which is why we decided to ask them: which work schedule is the best? The results of our survey involving 273 respondents show that the answer is not straightforward.

The survey included questions concerning:
1. Preferred work schedule
2. Factors that determining the choice of a particular work schedule
3. The pros and cons of different work schedules.

The most popular work schedules

The 2/2 schedule turned out to be the most popular schedule and was chosen by as many as 108 respondents. The next most popular option is 2/1 (60 respondents), followed by 3/1 (13 respondents), 4/2 (12 respondents) and 3/2 (11 respondents).
Other schedule options included 4/1, 6/2, 8/2 and 4/2.

The survey indicates that most drivers prefer three work schedules:

✅ 2/2 schedule (2 weeks of work, 2 weeks off) – chosen by 108 respondents

While it was the most popular schedule system, it is not free from disadvantages, but more on that in a moment. The 2/2 schedule is particularly favoured by drivers with families who value the possibility of returning home regularly. It provides an ideal balance between work and private life. During two weeks off, drivers can fully regenerate, take care of their health, spend time with their loved ones and take their time (!) catching up with things that had accumulated while they were aways. In addition, this schedule reduces the risk of burnout, which is crucial from the perspective of road safety.

However, this schedule has its drawbacks. The main one are lower earnings: shorter working hours per month mean lower pay compared to other work schedules. Additionally, not every company offers this option, and if they do, it is often only available on selected routes. After a two-week break, some drivers may have difficulty returning to their work routine, which can be frustrating.

✅ The 2/1 schedule (2 weeks of work, 1 week off): selected by 13 respondents

The 2/1 schedule is a solution that is considered to a perfect tradeoff between earnings and time spent with the family. Compared to the 2/2 schedule, it tends to be associated with higher earnings, as more days of work per month result in higher wages. Despite shorter breaks, drivers appreciate more frequent returns home. A constant work rhythm has its advantages – a week of rest is usually sufficient to regenerate. But sometimes, after two weeks of intensive driving, one (sometimes incomplete) week off may not be enough to recharge the batteries. Drivers note that in practice this system can be demanding on family life.

✅ The 3/1 schedule (3 weeks on, 1 week off): selected by 12 respondents

This main advantage of this schedule are higher earnings: the more time spent on the road, the higher the pay, which is the most important point in favour of this solution for many drivers. Some prefer longer trips because they are less stressed about returning quickly and planning their rest. But this also comes at a price – for drivers with families, long separations can be difficult, and a week off after three weeks of work is often not enough to fully regenerate. Also, many drivers are aware of the risk of burnout.

Drivers comments

To illustrate these general results, we provide the most frequently repeated opinions, as well as those reported by individual drivers, as well as important issues related to structural problems in the transport industry.

Most frequently repeated answers:

◾ ”More often at home for longer” – many drivers emphasized that regular and longer stays at home enable them to rest and spend time with their families.
◾ ”The right work-life balance” – drivers pointed out that particular schedules (e.g. 2/1) give them a chance to rest and function normally off the road.
◾ ”Less fatigue”
◾ ”Better quality of life”

Answers that appeared only once:

◾ ”Driving only at night – fewer traffic jams and less stress on the route”
◾ ”Only short routes because I don’t want to sleep in the cabin”
◾ ”I don’t have a family, so I prefer longer routes and higher earnings”
◾ ”The longer I’m on the road, the better, because I don’t like sitting at home”
◾ ”Flexible hours, no rigid schedule”

Drivers problems

◾ Lack of suitable parking spaces: the lack of safe and well-equipped parking lots is a big problem, especially for drivers on international routes.
◾ Pressure to break the rules: despite increasingly stringent regulations, drivers still feel the pressure to exceed working time standards.
◾ The impact of work on private life: long trips and an irregular lifestyle often lead to family problems and even divorce.

So which schedule is the best?

There is no ideal work schedule – it all depends on your priorities. The 2/2 schedule is preferred for its optimum work-life balance – drivers emphasize that the even split between time spent at work and free time results in better professional efficiency and stronger family ties. The 2/1 schedule, while offering less time to regenerate, is associated with higher wages, which makes it an attractive choice for those who want to earn more without sacrificing their leisure time too much. For many drivers, however, the most valuable and desirable solution is the possibility of returning home every day, which guarantees stability.

As already noted, each of the most popular schedules has its drawbacks. Less balanced schedules, such as 3/1 or 4/1, despite higher wages, mean long-term separation from the damily, fatigue and mental strain. The possibility of daily returns, while ensuring stability, is associated with lower wages compared to what drivers can earn on international routes. Additionally, some drivers indicate that the 2/2 schedule – despite its undeniable advantages – may be less attractive financially compared to the 2/1 model.

The survey clearly shows that drivers are no longer satisfied only with high wages and that mental comfort and time to rest are also important. Employers who understand this can better tailor their work conditions to their needs. The results of the study provide valuable inisghts for transport companies and for drivers, who want to choose the schedule that best works for them.

More job offers than applicants – the job market in 2024

In 2024, the job market for drivers was full of opportunities, but also challenges. Our website section dedicated to employment opportunities job etransport.pl , featured 3,026 ads from drivers looking for work, while employers posted as many as 7,380 offers for drivers. In other words, the demand for drivers continued to exceeds the number of available applicants. In addition, we posted 8,609 ads for positions of dispatchers, freight forwarders or carriers, which shows that the transport industry is developing in various directions. 292 of all offers were sponsored ads (ads for drivers and offers of cooperation for carriers).

All these numbers reflect an continuing demand for drivers and the dynamically changing market that tries to respond to various needs. A flexible approach to organizing working time not only improves drivers’ quality of life, but can also bring benefits to transport companies by helping them maintain the loyalty and satisfaction of their employees.

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Catalonia introduces restrictions for trucks with mega and duo-trailers

Information about the restrictions were published in the Official Journal of Catalonia. The ordinance introduces restrictions for trucks with mega and duo-trailer vehicles and lifts permanent restrictions on all roads with difficulties in traffic management, with the exception of the C-153 in Olot. The list of vehicles exempt from the restrictions has also been extended.

On certain days, such as Easter, restrictions apply to more roads. Restrictions have been planned on the AP-7 motorway, e.g. during the weekend of 30 May to 1 June due to the organisation of a motorcycle race in Montmeló; on the feast of St. John during the “long weekend” of 24 June and on Monday, 8 December.

Driving ban for vehicle combinations with mega and double trailers

The movement of vehicle combinations with mega and double trailers is generally prohibited on public holidays, weekends, Friday afternoons and evenings preceding public holidays. On Friday afternoons and the day before public holidays, the ban applies from 3:00 PM to midnight. Vvehicles authorised to drive with two trailers will always have to use the right-hand lane and will not be allowed to overtake.
During the summer period (from 16 June to 11 September), on Sundays and public holidays, vehicle combinations with mega and double trailers are not allowed to drive on the regular sections of the access roads to the Costa Brava: C-253, C-35, C-63, GI-681 and GI-682, although this year other trucks are allowed to use these roads.

Restrictions and the obligation to use the right-hand lane on the AP-7, A-2 and on roads with an additional lane:
– Where restrictions apply as specified in the conditions below, trucks and buses with a GVW of 7,500 kilograms or more must not exceed the maximum speed of 80 km/h.
– Vehicles authorised to drive with two semi-trailers will always have to use the right-hand lane and will not be allowed to overtake.
– Every Friday and Sunday afternoon (from 5:00 PM to 10pm) and Saturday morning (from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM), trucks and buses with a GVW of 7,500 kilograms or more must use the right-hand lane of the AP-7 motorway between Sant Celoni (km 111) and Vilafranca del Penedès (km 200), in both directions of travel.

– The above restriction applies on the following dates:
• Holy Week: Maundy Thursday 17.04, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Good Friday 18.04, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Easter Monday 21.04, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
• Thursday, May 1, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• Friday before Pentecost, June 6, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• Saturday, June 7, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM;
• Monday, June 9, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• St. John’s Day, Monday, June 23, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• Tuesday, June 24, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• National Day of Catalonia, Thursday, November 9, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday, 5.12, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• Sunday, 7.12, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM;
• Monday, 08.12, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
– Every Sunday from 5.01 to 13.04 and from 7.12 to 28.12 in the afternoon (from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM), heavy goods vehicles and buses with a GVW of 7,500 kilograms or more must use the right lane of the A-2 motorway between Igualada (km 550) and Martorell (km 586), in the direction of Barcelona.
– The roads where an additional lane has been created in the opposite direction, can only be used by light vehicles and motorcycles, which means that other vehicles, including cars with trailers, are not allowed to drive there. On both roads, outside the additional lane, heavy goods vehicles and buses with a GVW of 7,500 kilograms or more must not drive faster than 80 km/h and are not allowed to overtake in any direction, while light vehicles and motorcycles must not drive faster than 100 km/h.

Reduction in the number of roads with permanent restrictions and management difficulties

The following roads have been removed from the list of roads with permanent restrictions, which apply to heavy goods vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a GVW over 7.5 tonnes, vehicles subject to special transport regimes and special vehicles:
• Road C-35 (between Maçanet de la Selva and Massanes)
• Road C-152 (between La Vall d’en Bas and Olot); C-26 (between Ripoll and Cercs)
• C-37 road (between El Pla de Santa Maria and Santa Margarida de Montbui).
The permanent restriction applies only on the C-153 road, from km 60.9 to km 61.9 in Olot.
Permanent restrictions are retained on the following roads (due to heavy goods traffic):
– N-II km 773.5 in La Jonquera to km 709.0 in Fornells.
– N-240 km. 87.4 in Lleida to km. 36.5 in Montblanc.
– N-340 km. 1058.4 in Alcanar to km. 1122.0 in L’Hospitalet de l’Infant.
– N-340 km. 1176.4 in Altafulla to km. 1209.5 in Vilafranca del Penedès.

New exemptions

New exemptions from driving restrictions have been introduced that apply to vehicles or vehicle combinations used for transporting the following products: eggs; dishes that must be kept warm; flowers, cut and potted plants; honey; dressed carcasses; fermenting or hygroscopic products; medicines or medical devices, which must be refrigerated or kept at a specific temperature. In addition, with regard to the transport of animal feed and raw materials for its production, in 2025 the exemption also applies to vehicles supplying feed factories.