Apply for an exemption from the truck driving ban during vacation periods

In Germany, on all Saturdays during the main holiday season from 1 July to 31 August of each year in the period from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., heavy goods vehicles (trucks) with a maximum permissible mass of more than 7.5 tonnes and trucks with trailers are not allowed to operate on fixed routes on motorways and federal roads. 

The prohibition generally does not apply to:

1. combined road-rail freight transport from the consignor to the nearest suitable loading station or from the nearest suitable unloading station to the consignee,
2. combined port-road freight transport between loading or unloading point and a port situated within a maximum radius of 150 kilometres (arrival or removal),
3. the carriage of
   • fresh milk and milk products,
   • fresh meat and meat products,
   • fresh fish, live fish and fresh fish products,
   • perishable fruit and vegetables,
4. empty journeys related to journeys referred to in point 3,
5. Journeys with vehicles used in accordance with the Federal Benefits Act. The notice of performance must be carried along and, on request, handed over to competent persons for examination.

Exemptions are granted by the road traffic authorities (districts, independent cities, cities and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants),

• in whose district the cargo is received, or
• in whose district the applicant has his domicile, registered office or a branch.

If a cargo is received outside the scope of the Holiday Travel Regulation, the road traffic authority in whose district the border crossing point within the scope of this Ordinance is located is competent.

• Applications must be made in writing, but informally and with reasons.
• Freight and accompanying documents
• In the case of road transport of more than 100 kilometres, a certificate from the goods handler responsible for the place of dispatch stating that it is impossible to carry out rail transport on time.
• Motor vehicle and trailer registration
• For foreign motor vehicles in whose registration documents the permissible total weight and engine power are not entered, a corresponding official certificate is required.

An exemption can only be granted in urgent cases if transport by other means of transport is not possible and an alternative route is not available. Detours are to be accepted.

Economic or competitive reasons alone do not justify an exception.

Exemptions may be granted on request in individual cases.

There are fees between 10.20 euros and 179.00  euros. Further information can be obtained from the competent authority.

Further information on the truck driving ban can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG):