Summer holidays cause traffic disruption

30 May 2024

The summer holidays are just around the corner. In the Netherlands, these are spread by region across a number of predetermined weeks. This is not always the case in other European countries. Each country has its own way of determining summer holidays. To avoid chaos on the roads, there are several driving bans for trucks in place throughout the summer period. We have prepared an overview for you of what to bear in mind this summer.

Avoid driving

A driving ban for freight traffic is in force for a significant number of days throughout all summer holidays. On these days, trucks are not allowed to operate, and it is not possible to load or unload. This could also cause disruption in the days before and after the ban.

In several countries, such as France for example, a driving ban is in place for certain weekends during the summer period. This makes it impossible to unload on Monday mornings, and also complicates Friday afternoon deliveries. Trucks do not usually drive back empty, but sometimes exceptions are made during these driving bans.

Road closures – Rotterdam region

Like last year, you should also take into account road closures in the Rotterdam region during the summer months. This could cause considerable obstructions to transport to and from the container terminals at the Maasvlakte. Again, there will be major works that will see a closure of the Heinenoordtunnel from 26 July until 9 August, as well as the (by now almost commonplace) weekend closures.

In addition, there will be multiple closures around Spijkenisse, the location of several connecting roads important for transports to and from the Maasvlakte terminals. Work has already been carried out to the Spijkenisse Bridge in April and May. The Benelux Tunnel will be closed from 28 June until 1 July. And, work is being carried out on the Hartel Bridge from 13 August until 30 August. All road closures can be found at van A naar Beter (from A to Better).

European driving bans

Driving bans are often already in place in other European countries on Sundays and/or public holidays. Below is a brief overview of Ritra’s main European destinations (including dates):

Belgium

• 21 July (public holiday)
• 15 August (Assumption of Mary)

Vehicles longer than 3 metres are banned from driving in Belgium on Saturdays between 12:00 o’clock and 00:00 o’clock the following day (Sunday).

Germany

• 8 June (public holiday)
• 15 August (Assumption of Mary)

Throughout July and August, a driving ban for freight traffic is in place in Germany on Saturdays from 07:00 until 20:00. Freight traffic is allowed on the road between 20:00 and 00:00, after which the Sunday driving ban starts. There is also a year-round driving ban in Germany on Sundays and public holidays between 00:00 and 22:00 for trucks over 7.5 tonnes including trailers.

France

• 14 July (public holiday)
• 15 August (Assumption of Mary)

There is an additional driving ban in place in France for vehicles and vehicle combinations over 7.5 tonnes. These driving bans are in force from 07:00 until 19:00. In addition, France has bans in place on each Sunday and public holiday, from 22:00 the previous day until 22:00 on the day itself, which applies to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on all roads.

Italy

• 2 June (public holiday)
• 15 August (Assumption of Mary)

A driving ban is in place in Italy for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on Sundays and public holidays. This ban is usually in force between 09:00 and 22:00, but starts as early as 07:00 during the summer period.

Spain

• 8 June (Sacrament Day)
• 9 June (regional holiday)
• 24 June (public holiday)
• 29 June (regional holiday)
• 25 July (St. James)
• 28 July (regional holiday)
• 5 August (regional holiday)
• 15 August (Assumption of Mary)

In the Basque region in Spain, driving bans for lorries over 7.5 tonnes are in force on Saturdays and days before a public holiday between 22:00 and 00:00. This ban is in force between 00:00 and 22:00 on Sundays and public holidays. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes carrying hazardous materials are not allowed to operate on days before public holidays (except Saturdays) from 13:00 until 00:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 08:00 until 00:00.

Switzerland

• 1 August (public holiday)

An all-day driving ban is in place in Switzerland on Sundays and public holidays. In addition, an overnight driving ban is in place from 22:00 until 05:00 every night. These restrictions apply to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Prevent delays

To avoid issues, we recommend you take driving bans and road closures into account in your planning to prevent any unnecessary delays, additional costs, and last-minute changes to your schedules.

In general, driving bans apply to trucks over 7.5 tonnes, but occasionally the bans also include vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. What’s more, there are other exceptions to this rule; transport of perishable goods and live animals may be exempt from driving bans, for example. If in doubt, we advise that you consult the Evofenedex overview or contact us.

This overview has been compiled by us with the utmost care. However, we rely on third-party information for this. As a result, the overview may contain minor discrepancies.