---
title: "Latest Operational Updates on Truck Driving Bans in Germany for August 2026"
canonical: "https://nakordoni.eu/en/news/2026-08-13/nova-operatyvna-informatsiya-shchodo-sytuatsii-z-zaboronamy-rukhu-vantazhivok-u-nimechchyni-v-serpni-2026-roku"
lang: "en"
type: "news"
source: "nakordoni.eu — live border queue data"
---

# Latest Operational Updates on Truck Driving Bans in Germany for August 2026

13.08.2026 11:07    IRU (International Road Transport Union)

###### Main News (August 2026)

Almost all federal states of Germany (including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Thuringia, and others) have temporarily lifted or eased Sunday truck driving bans (Sonn- und Feiertagsfahrverbot), and in some regions also Saturday bans (Ferienreiseverordnung), until August 31 / September 30, 2026.

###### Why Temporary Changes Were Introduced

- **Critical Low Water Levels on Rivers (Rhine, Danube):** Due to the summer drought, water levels in navigable rivers have dropped significantly, making full river navigation impossible.
- **Protecting Supply Chains:** To prevent shortages of raw materials and fuel, the German government and state authorities allowed river cargo to be redirected to road transport during weekends.

###### Detailed Terms of Temporary Exceptions

- **Sunday Ban (00:00 – 22:00):** Standard rule — prohibited for all trucks >7.5 t. Change (August 2026) — lifted for trips related to replacing river transport (In Thuringia — for all cargo).
- **Saturday Ban (07:00 – 20:00):** Standard rule — prohibited on certain autobahn sections. Change (August 2026) — eased in some federal states (e.g., NRW and Lower Saxony) for special trips.
- **Eligible Cargo:** Standard rule — only perishable goods, live animals, combined transport. Change (August 2026) — any cargo whose transport by river became impossible due to low water levels (including empty runs).

###### Important Warnings for Drivers and Carriers

- **Documentary Evidence:** Police and BALM strictly check whether your cargo is genuinely related to compensating for river transport due to low water levels. You must have written proof (CMR or a waybill with an appropriate note).
- **Oversized and Heavy Cargo (Großraum- und Schwertransporte):** Temporary relaxations do not apply to them — Sunday and holiday bans remain fully in force for them.
- **Negative Impact on Neighboring Countries:** Please note that neighboring countries (Poland, Czechia, Austria) have not lifted their summer Saturday and Sunday bans. Therefore, transiting Germany on weekends may lead to long downtimes at the Polish or Czech border.

*Source:* Logistik Heute / BALM

**See also:**

- [Truck Driving Bans in Europe — Week 27, 2026-06-29 to 2026-07-05](https://nakordoni.eu/en/news/2026-06-29/traffic-bans-week-2026-27)
- [Truck Driving Bans in Europe — Week 22, 2026-05-25 to 2026-05-31](https://nakordoni.eu/en/news/2026-05-25/traffic-bans-week-2026-22)
- [Truck Driving Bans in Europe — Week 19, 2026-05-04 to 2026-05-10](https://nakordoni.eu/en/news/2026-05-04/traffic-bans-week-2026-19)

### Related Checkpoints

[Chop (Tysa) — Zahony](https://nakordoni.eu/en/id/id_27)

[Original source](https://www.iru.org/intelligence/flash-info/germany-driving-ban-exemptions-update-13-august-2026?utm_source=nakordoni.eu)

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Updated 21.08.2026 04:20