Driving Ban Austria: What You Need to Know for Worry-Free Freight Transport
Driving through Austria with a truck? Pay close attention: on certain days you're not allowed on the road. Vehicles with a maximum authorized mass above 7.5 tons are subject to driving bans on public holidays, weekends, at night, and on Saturdays in summer. Below you'll find all the key regulations.
When Does the Driving Ban Apply in Austria
Austria uses driving bans to increase traffic safety and reduce congestion, especially during busy weekends and holiday periods. These are the main times when the driving ban applies:
- Public holidays: driving ban from 00:00 to 22:00.
- Weekends: from Saturday 15:00 to Sunday 22:00.
- Night driving ban: on certain routes from 22:00 to 05:00.
- Summer period: in July and August additional driving ban on Saturdays from 08:00 to 15:00.
Driving Ban in Austria During Public Holidays (2025)
On the following public holidays, a nationwide driving ban applies for trucks >7.5 tons (00:00–22:00):
- New Year's Day (January 1, 2025)
- Epiphany (January 6, 2025)
- Good Friday (April 18, 2025)
- Easter Sunday and Monday (April 20 and 21, 2025)
- State Holiday (May 1, 2025)
- Ascension Day (May 29, 2025)
- Whit Sunday and Monday (June 8 and 9, 2025)
- Corpus Christi (June 19, 2025)
- Assumption of Mary (August 15, 2025)
- National Day (October 26, 2025)
- All Saints' Day (November 1, 2025)
- Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2025)
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 25 and 26, 2025)
Weekend Driving Ban
Every weekend, trucks over 7.5 tons are subject to a driving ban from Saturday 15:00 to Sunday 22:00. Plan your trips in advance to avoid standstills and fines, especially on busy routes like the A10 and the Brenner Pass.
Night Driving Ban
Various routes have a night driving ban from 22:00 to 05:00. Exceptions exist for low-noise vehicles (L-label), combined rail-road transport, and fully electric or hydrogen vehicles.
Summer Driving Bans
On all Saturdays in July and August, an additional driving ban applies from 08:00 to 15:00 due to holiday traffic (including southbound traffic).
Exceptions to the Driving Ban
Exceptions are possible for essential or time-critical transport:
- Fresh and food transport (e.g., livestock for slaughter, perishable products, beverage supplies).
- Medical and humanitarian transport (including aid shipments, medical deliveries).
- Construction traffic (road construction, railway construction, infrastructure projects).
- Combined rail-road transport (with valid CIM/UIRR consignment note).
- Empty runs (e.g., return to driver's residence or company headquarters).
- Vehicles with special characteristics (including certain EURO emission classes or special superstructures).
Fines for Violations
Austrian authorities enforce regulations strictly. Driving during a prohibited period can lead to fines, mandatory standstill, or in case of repeated violations, even confiscation of documents.
Additional Driving Bans on Specific Routes
Pay attention to additional restrictions on routes such as the A12 (Inntal Autobahn) and A13 (Brenner Autobahn). Check in advance whether your route is subject to a route ban to avoid fines and delays.
Car Transport from or to Austria
Having cars transported from or to Austria? We take weekend, night, and public holiday bans into account. This may affect delivery times. In your customer portal, you can see the status of your transport 24/7.
Driving Bans Also Apply in Other Countries
Also check our blogs about driving bans in: France, Belgium, Germany and Netherlands.
