New Year’s Eve restrictions for trucks: basic traffic rules in Europe

With the New Year holidays approaching, restrictions on the movement of trucks are being introduced in many European countries.

Key restrictions by country

Romania and Slovenia

Trucks will stop for three days:

• December 31, 2024 – January 2, 2025

Poland

Time frames:

• December 31: 18:00 – 22:00
• January 1: 08:00 – 22:00

Other countries

During the pre-New Year and New Year period, restrictions are in effect in Croatia, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries. For example:

• Austria: from 22:00 on December 31 to 22:00 on January 1
• Germany: from 00:00 to 22:00 on January 1
• Switzerland: prohibitions from 22:00 to 05:00 on weekdays, as well as around the clock on January 1

For a full schedule of restrictions, see the list at the end.

Exceptions for truck traffic

Drivers are allowed to drive in the following cases:

• Transportation of perishable goods, live animals, medicines.
• Purchase of milk and cereals.
• Empty vehicles returning after delivery or driving to the place of loading.
• Vehicles heading to the place of completion of international transport in Poland.

The full list of exceptions and details are available at link.

Why is this important?

The New Year period is always a challenge for carriers. Drivers are urged to plan their routes carefully, taking into account restrictions in different countries.

Travel safely, following the rules and curfews. The festive period is a time of calm on the roads!