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UncategorizedOctober 28, 20250 comments

October 31 and November 1 – Only Some German States with Truck Driving Bans

October 31 (Reformation Day) and November 1 (All Saints’ Day) are public holidays in parts of Germany, during which truck driving bans apply only in certain federal states (Länder). In the remaining regions, traffic will proceed as usual.

October 31 – Reformation Day

A truck driving ban (vehicles over 7.5 tonnes GVW) will be in effect from 00:00 to 22:00 in the following federal states:

Brandenburg

Bremen

Hamburg

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Lower Saxony

Saxony

Saxony-Anhalt

Schleswig-Holstein

Thuringia

❗Note: In Lower Saxony, the ban starts later – from 06:00 to 22:00 (see “Exceptions” below).

November 1 – All Saints’ Day

On this day, the ban (over 7.5 tonnes GVW) will apply from 00:00 to 22:00 in other states:

Baden-Württemberg

Bavaria

North Rhine-Westphalia

Rhineland-Palatinate

Saarland

❗Note: In North Rhine-Westphalia, the ban starts later – from 06:00 to 22:00 (see “Exceptions” below).

Not Everywhere! Exceptions for Trucks in Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Berlin

Although most German states impose truck bans on holidays, not all regions apply them in full. Some have introduced special exemptions to facilitate international transport and reduce downtime for drivers and carriers. As a result, in several federal states, trucks are allowed to operate during certain hours or on designated motorway sections, despite the official bans.

⚠️ Special Rules in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia

These states have applied relaxed regulations for several years. To avoid situations where drivers would have to stop for two consecutive days – October 31 (Reformation Day) and November 1 (All Saints’ Day) – both Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia enforce a shortened ban from 06:00 to 22:00.
Moreover, transit traffic is permitted on key routes that can be safely used without the risk of fines. These include motorway sections:
➡️ A1: Lotte/Osnabrück – Osnabrück-Nord
➡️ A2: Bad Oeynhausen – Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt border
➡️ A30: Bad Bentheim – Bad Oeynhausen
➡️ A31: Schüttorf – Lower Saxony/NRW border
➡️ A33: Osnabrück-Süd – Dissen-Süd

⚠️ Hesse and Transit through North Rhine-Westphalia

In Hesse, the All Saints’ Day truck ban (November 1) does not apply, as this is not a public holiday in that state.
However, drivers traveling from or through Hesse into North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) must remember that a truck ban is in effect there on that date.
To facilitate safe transit, NRW has designated a special transit corridor, allowing trucks to pass through the state via the shortest possible route without violating the ban.

➡️ Transit section: Motorway A44, junction 65, from km 43.2 to 28.4 (state border).
This ensures that drivers can cross NRW legally, avoiding fines or legal issues.

⚠️ Permitted routes on October 31 in Berlin and neighbouring federal states

On Reformation Day (October 31), the federal state of Berlin, in coordination with neighboring states – Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia – allows truck movements to and from Berlin on selected motorways.

Permitted routes:A2, A4, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A17, A19, A20, A24, A38, A71, A72, A73, A111, A113, A114, A115, A117, A143.

❗However, leaving the motorway is prohibited in states where a holiday driving ban applies.
Exceptions are made only for emergency situations – such as road closures, detours, or vehicle towing.