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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.

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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.