June 9, 2025, on Pentecostal Monday (Pfingstmontag), the full of Germany is mandatory no driving of dense goods vehicles. This day is legally free from work in all national states, which means that in accordance with road regulations trucks cannot travel on German roads all day long. For breaking the ban, there are advanced penalties which can importantly impose on both drivers and service providers. The article presents the detailed rules in force on that day, the amount of the mandates and the exceptions to the prohibition.
Prohibition of trucking in Germany – applicable regulations
The ban on truck traffic in Germany applies throughout the year on Sundays and public holidays, from an hr 0:00 to 10:00 p.m.. Additionally, during the vacation period, from 1 July to 31 August, on Saturdays on selected highways and national roads an additional ban on driving trucks is introduced in hours from 7:00 to 8:00..
In 2025, 1 of the most crucial days banned is 9 June – Pentecostal Monday (Pfingstmontag), which is simply a public vacation free from work throughout Germany. Therefore, the full driving ban for dense goods vehicles applies.
Penalties for violation of the ban – how much does it cost to break regulations?
In accordance with the applicable regulations, non-compliance with the ban on driving trucks on holidays is severely punished. Both the driver and the transport manager can be punished with financial mandates.
- Truck driver hazard a fine of EUR 120.
- Transporter must be punished even EUR 570.
These mandates are based on provisions aimed at limiting truck traffic during holidays and holidays, which have an impact on improving road safety and reducing traffic.
Exceptions to the ban on driving trucks – erstwhile can you decision despite the ban?
Not all transports are prohibited from driving trucks. The German rules supply for exceptions that let certain transports to proceed even on prohibited days. This applies, in particular, to the transport of perishable goods and transport connected to railways or ports. The main exceptions are:
- Combined rail and road freight services, provided that the transport takes place between the consignor and the nearest loading station or consignee and the nearest landing station, and the distance does not exceed 200 km.
- Port-road transport between the loading and unloading point and the port within the maximum radius 150 km.
- Transports of fresh and perishable products specified as:
- fresh milk and milk products,
- fresh meat and meat products,
- fresh fish, live fish and fish products,
- fruit and vegetables rapidly perishable.
- Transfers made empty in connection with the above transports.
It is crucial that persons who carry out transports exempted from the prohibition must have adequate transport papers and present them on request during roadside inspections. The absence of papers or the inability to paper an exception may consequence in the imposition of a mandate.
The context and meaning of the ban – why do Germany restrict truck traffic on Christmas?
The ban on driving trucks on Sundays and holidays in Germany has been in place for years and is 1 of the most crucial road traffic regulations for dense transport. Its aim is primarily:
- Improving road safety – reducing the number of dense vehicles during increased traffic,
- Environmental protection – reducing sound and exhaust emissions during vacation periods,
- Providing remainder for drivers – in accordance with EU regulations on working time and remainder of drivers.
The ban besides contributes to traffic liquidity on key dates erstwhile many Germans usage their days off for household trips and holidays.
Practical tips for drivers and transport companies
For drivers and companies carrying out transport in Germany, cognition of the terms of bans and their exceptions is crucial to avoid costly sanctions. In particular, before 9 June 2025 it is worth:
- Check planned routes and timetables for existing prohibitions,
- Prepare the transport documentation, confirming possible exceptions to the prohibition,
- Plan alternate logistics solutionswhich will enable supplies to be carried out outside the hours of prohibition,
- Follow updates to German road services regulations and communicationsto keep up with possible changes or additional restrictions.
On June 9, 2025, on Pentecost Monday, the full ban on trucks in Germany applies. The regulations aim to improve the safety and comfort of travellers on days off from work. For breaking the ban, they endanger to fine 120 euro for the driver and to EUR 570 for the carrier. Exceptions concern selected transports of fresh and perishable products and combined transport. appropriate compliance with these regulations is essential to avoid penalties and disruptions in transport activities.
Continued here:
No truck driving 9 June 2025 – what penalties do they endanger to break it?