Hungary: suspension of the HGV driving ban

Owing to extreme heatwaves, the Hungarian Ministry of Transport suspened the HGV driving ban during the weekend, 2-3 July.

Normally, during the summer period, the ban was supposed to apply from 3PM on Saturday to 10PM on Sunday, but it was lifted due to very high temperatures. According to the Ministry, the requirement to take a period of obligatary rest in a hot cabin would pose a serious health risk for drivers.

The move follows a decision by Cecília Müller, the national medical director, to extend the third-degree heat alert in Hungary until July 4.

Be advised that under current regulations, the announcement of a heat alert does not automatically entail a suspension of the weekend HGV driving ban, which alwats requires a decision of the minister responsible for transport. As this decision was made, during the weekend of July 2-3 all lorries, regardless of their environmental classification, are allowed travel on the entire Hungarian road network.