Overview
Independence Day in Bulgaria falls on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. On this day, a truck driving ban is in effect in Bulgaria. This is the only country in our calendar with a holiday driving ban on this day. The restriction applies exclusively to heavy goods vehicles (HGV/TIR) exceeding the specified weight threshold. Passenger cars, tourist buses, coaches, and motorcycles are exempt.
The ban is active all day, from 00:00 to 24:00. It applies to trucks over 12 tonnes on motorways and selected Class I and II national roads. Since the holiday falls in the middle of the working week, many drivers might not anticipate a forced stop. Transit drivers passing through Bulgaria should carefully plan their driving and rest times before the ban begins.
Ban Hours on 22.09.2026
| Country | Local Name | Time | Applies To | Roads | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | Ден на независимостта на България | 00:00–24:00 | Trucks >12 t | Motorways and selected Class I/II national roads | BGN 500–2,000 |
Day Before the Holiday (Monday, 21.09.2026)
The eve of the holiday is a Monday, not a Friday or Saturday. Saturday pre-holiday restrictions in Poland, Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and Hungary do not apply on this day. According to the regular schedule, Bulgaria enforces a pre-holiday restriction from 16:00 to 20:00. Check the traffic ban calendar by Monday afternoon. Bulgaria's regular schedule also includes a post-holiday restriction the day after, from 14:00 to 20:00, effective on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Rules and Fines by Country
Bulgaria
Weight: Trucks over 12 tonnes. This threshold is higher than in most European countries, where bans typically target vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. Trucks up to and including 12 tonnes are exempt from the Bulgarian ban. The strictest rules apply in Switzerland, where the threshold is 3.5 tonnes.
Roads: Motorways and selected Class I and II national roads.
Regular Schedule: On public holidays: all day; day before holiday: 16:00–20:00; day after holiday: 14:00–20:00. Easter in Bulgaria is determined by the Orthodox calendar.
Exceptions: Transport of perishable goods, live animals, military, and diplomatic transports.
Fines: BGN 500–2,000.
Plan Your Route
1. Start early or wait out the ban. Trucks over 12 tonnes must reach their destination or a parking area before 00:00 on September 22. Use the EU Tachograph Calculator to plan your daily driving time and weekly rest periods around the ban.
2. Book a secure parking space. On the evening of September 21, demand for parking along Bulgarian motorways will spike. Locate secure rest areas with overnight parking for September 22 using the truck parking map.
3. Check rules in neighboring countries. Neighboring countries do not have a holiday ban on this day, but their regular rules remain in force. In Romania, weekend and holiday restrictions apply to trucks over 7.5 tonnes on specific routes like DN1 and DN7. In Greece, restrictions apply to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on holidays and eves on the Athens–Thessaloniki axis and the Patras corridor. According to our data, Tuesday, September 22, is not a public holiday in these countries.
4. Allow extra border time. Trucks waiting out the ban may cause longer queues at border crossing points after 24:00 on September 22. Build extra time into your schedule. Use the Trip Cost Calculator to estimate fuel and toll expenses for your route, factoring in waiting times.
Useful Tools for Truck Drivers
- Interactive Traffic Ban Calendar
- Real-Time Traffic Events Map
- Truck Parking Map (19,000+)
- Speed Cameras (48,000+)
- European Vignettes and Tolls
- European Holidays Calendar
- German LKW-Maut Calculator — compute motorway tolls for trucks
- EU Tachograph Calculator — check compliance with driving times and mandatory breaks
- Trip Cost Calculator — estimate fuel, toll, and total trip expenses
Source: nakordoni.eu — Truck Driving Ban Calendar | Updated: 15.09.2026
See also: