There is lots of traffic on Europe’s roads over the Easter holidays and traffic jams are the order of the day. Easter vacations, family visits or day trips mean a considerable increase in the number of cars on local and national routes. Some countries prohibit trucks from driving on weekends and public holidays anyway, while others impose special Easter driving bans. Our table shows you which regulations apply where in Europe.
Trucks at Easter: the Supply Chain Remains Intact
Nobody wants to see empty supermarket shelves after Easter or have to wait longer for much-needed deliveries. It is only with the help of road freight that the supply of essential goods and life-enhancing amenities can be maintained. So let us first thank the many truck drivers who will be on the road for us over the Easter holidays.
However, especially at peak travel times such as Easter, trucks are perceived by many as a nuisance – and when car and truck traffic build up into a traffic jam, neither holidaymakers nor transported goods can reach their destination. Easter driving bans are intended to prevent this.
Overview of the 2024 Easter Truck Driving Bans
Before we consider the restrictions, let’s take a look at all the countries where there are no driving bans at all, either at Easter or at any other time of the year.
European Countries without any truck driving bans:
- Albania
- Belgium
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Finland
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Macedonia
- Malta
- Moldavia
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Serbia
- Sweden
Then there are countries with regional restrictions. The regulations can be quite specific, so you should obtain detailed information before traveling to these countries:
- Bulgaria: There are occasional driving bans for certain routes, especially for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 12 tons.
- Estonia: Although certain restrictions apply to the transportation of dangerous goods on weekdays, there are no driving bans on public holidays such as Easter.
- Greece: In Greece, there are weekend driving bans on some roads, which also apply on the last weekend in March. There are also regional driving bans for trucks over 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight on certain public holidays – including Easter Monday. In Orthodox Greece, however, this is celebrated on May 6.
- Portugal: Only the transportation of dangerous goods (over 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight) is prohibited on selected routes on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Monday throughout the day (as well as on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
- Romania: Romanian weekend and public holiday driving bans are not nationwide and are quite detailed. Certain routes are also restricted during the Easter holidays. However, as in Greece, Orthodox Easter in Romania is celebrated from May 3 to 6.
- Spain: During the winter months you can drive without any restrictions. From the end of June to mid-September, there are only a few regional driving bans.
- UK: In Great Britain, the only truck driving bans apply to specific roads in the London area.
Overview of European Countries with Easter Truck Driving Bans
Note: In 2024, Easter will be celebrated on the following dates: Holy Thursday: March 28, Good Friday: March 29, Holy Saturday: March 30, Easter Sunday: March 31, Easter Monday: April 1.
| Country | Gross vehicle weight | When? |
| Austria | from 7.5 t (semi-trailers from 3.5 t) | Good Friday, Easter Sunday/Monday from 0 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Holy Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; night driving ban from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| Croatia | from 7.5 t | Good Friday/Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Easter Sunday/Monday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Czech Republic | from 7.5 t (semi-trailers from 3.5 t) | Good Friday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Easter Sunday/Monday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| France | from 7.5 t | from Easter Sunday, 10 p.m. to Easter Monday, 10 p.m. |
| Germany | from 7.5 t | Good Friday, Easter Sunday/Monday from 0 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Hungary | from 7.5 t | from Holy Thursday, 10 p.m. until Good Friday, 10 p.m.; from Easter Sunday, 10 p.m. until Easter Monday, 10 p.m. |
| Italy | from 7.5 t | Good Friday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Holy Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Easter Sunday/Monday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; April 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Liechtenstein | from 3.5 t (semi-trailers from 5 t) | Good Friday, Easter Sunday/Monday 0 a.m. to midnight; night driving ban from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| Luxembourg | from 7.5 t | from Holy Thursday, 11.30 p.m. to Good Friday, 9.45 p.m. (transit in the direction of Germany); from Easter Sunday, 9.30 p.m. to Easter Monday, 9.45 p.m. (transit in the direction of France); from Easter Sunday, 11.30 p.m. to Easter Monday, 9.45 p.m. (transit in the direction of Germany) |
| Poland | from 7.5 t | Holy Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Good Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Holy Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (over 12 t: 3 p.m. to midnight); Easter Sunday/Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Switzerland | from 3.5 t | from Holy Thursday 10 p.m. to Holy Saturday 5 a.m.; from Holy Saturday 10 p.m. to April 2, 5 a.m.; night driving ban from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| Slovakia | from 7.5 t (semi-trailers from 3.5 t) | Good Friday, Easter Sunday/Monday from 0 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Slovenia | from 7.5 t | Good Friday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Easter Sunday/Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
Conclusion: Being Well Informed Will Help You Reach Your Destination at Easter
We hope our overview will help you keep track of what applies to truck drivers on Europe’s roads during Easter, so you can make better plans to get to the right rest area in time. In some countries, the risk of heavy fines can make violating Easter driving bans expensive. Wherever you are and whatever roads you travel over Easter: We at DHL Freight wish you a safe trip and/or a relaxing Easter.
