Vehicle traffic bans in December 2021
December is one of the busiest months in the transport industry. It’s a time of holidays and work stoppages, and thus – numerous truck traffic restrictions are in force in many EU countries. See where and when the bans are in force this year.
There are many EU countries that have Christmas and New Year’s restrictions in December and January in addition to the standard (weekend) restrictions. This year – despite disrupted supply chains, lack of loading space and a shortage of professional drivers – no exceptions are foreseen. We therefore present an overview of where and which vehicles are subject to restrictions in December 2021 and January 2022.
8 December
Austria – from 0:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. (trucks with trailers with a GVW of more than 3.5 t, trucks with a GVW of more than 7.5 t ).
Liechtenstein – from 0:00 a.m. to 24 p.m. (trucks with a GVW exceeding 3.5 t and combinations with a GVW exceeding 5 t ).
Italy – from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (trucks with a GVW of over 7.5 t)
24 December
Croatia – from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. (trucks with a GVW exceeding 7.5 t).
Czech Republic – from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. (trucks over 7.5 t).
France – from 10 p.m. to midnight, the ban applies to vehicles with a GVW exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
Luxembourg – from 9:30 p.m. to 24 towards France and from 23:30 to 24 towards Germany.
Slovakia – from 0:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (trucks with a GVW exceeding 7.5 t.
25 December
Austria – from 0:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Croatia – 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Czech Republic – from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
France – from 0:00 to 24.
Liechtenstein – from 0:00 to 24.
Luxembourg – from 0:00 to 24.
Germany – from 0:00 to 10.00 p.m. (trucks with a GVW exceeding 7.5 t).
Poland – from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ban applies to trucks with a GVW exceeding 12 t.
Slovakia – from 0:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Slovenia – from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (trucks with a GVW exceeding 7,5 t).
Switzerland – from 0:00 a.m. to 24 .
Hungary – from 8:00 a.m. to 24.
Italy – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
26 December
Austria – from 0:00 to 10 p.m.
Croatia – 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Czech Republic – from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
France – from 0:00 to 10 p.m.
Liechtenstein – from 0:00 to 24.
Luxembourg – from 0:00 to 9:45 p.m.
Germany – 0:00 to 10:00 pm.
Poland – 8 am to 10 pm.
Slovakia – from 0:00 to 10:00 pm.
Slovenia – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Switzerland – 0:00 to 24.
Hungary – from 0:00 to 10 p.m.
Italy – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
31 December
Croatia – from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
France – 10 p.m. to 24 .
Luxembourg – 9.30 p.m. to 24 towards France and from 11.30 pm to 24 hrs towards Germany.
1 January
Austria – from 0:00 to 10 p.m.
Croatia – 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Czech Republic – from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
France – from 0:00 to 24.
Liechtenstein – from 0:00 to 24.
Luxembourg – from 0:00 to 24.
Germany – from 0:00 to 22.
Poland – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Slovakia – from 0:00 to 10 p.m.
Slovenia – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Switzerland – from 0:00 a.m. to 24.
Hungary – 8 a.m. to 24.
Italy – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2 January
The ban on this day applies only in Hungary – from 0:00 to 10 pm.
Restrictions on roads and border crossings
Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more countries are introducing additional restrictions (Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy). Therefore, we would like to draw the attention of all drivers that there may be additional difficulties at border crossings in December.
In addition, due to the numerous snowfalls (e.g. in Spain or the Czech Republic), you should also be aware of the difficulties on the roads. The transport organisations point out that proper transport planning will help hauliers and drivers to complete transport orders on time and get all truckers home before the holidays.
If possible, please avoid passing through the Tyrol. As a reminder, this month’s block clearance in the Tyrol is scheduled for 9, 13, 14 and 15 December, the peak transport days (next month’s clearance is scheduled for 7 January). It is worth noting that IRU and 13 other European organisations and associations have made an additional appeal to the European Commission to take action against Austria.
The IRU pointed out that 7,000 lorries pass through the Tyrol corridor every day, and that 2.31 million lorries travelled on the Brenner motorway in the whole of 2020. The letter is therefore about “stopping Austria’s illegal anti-transit measures”. Nevertheless, even if the European Commission heeds the organisation’s appeal, this will certainly not happen this year.