When are trucks banned from driving in Austria over Christmas and New Year 2026/2027?

Trucks over 7.5 tonnes may not drive in Austria on Friday 2026-12-25 from 00:00 to 22:00, from Saturday 2026-12-26 at 00:00 until Sunday 2026-12-27 at 22:00, on Friday 2027-01-01 from 00:00 to 22:00 and on Wednesday 2027-01-06 from 00:00 to 22:00. 24 and 31 December are not holidays.

The rules come from section 42 of the Austrian road traffic act (StVO) , which bans trucks on Saturdays from 15:00 to 24:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00. The Feiertagsruhegesetz 1957 lists the public holidays, and 8, 25 and 26 December, 1 January and 6 January are all on it.

Which days are closed to trucks in Austria over Christmas and New Year 2026/2027?

Saturday 2026-12-26 is both Stephanitag and a Saturday, so the holiday ban (00:00 to 22:00) and the Saturday ban (15:00 to 24:00) together cover the whole day, and the Sunday ban follows straight after. Tuesday 2026-12-08 is a ban day from 00:00 to 22:00. Thursday 2026-12-24 and Thursday 2026-12-31 are ordinary weekdays, so only the night ban applies. After New Year, Saturday 2027-01-02 is closed from 15:00 and Sunday 2027-01-03 until 22:00. Check the Austrian public holiday calendar before you fix delivery slots.

Which trucks and loads does the Austrian holiday ban cover?

The ban covers trucks, articulated vehicles and self-propelled work machines above 7.5 tonnes gross weight, and any truck with a trailer when either part is above 3.5 tonnes. Separately, trucks above 7.5 tonnes may not drive from 22:00 to 05:00 on any night, except quiet trucks with a confirmed L-plate, according to the WKO overview of Austrian truck bans (status 2026-08-10).

Exemptions include fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, eggs and bakery goods when a consignment note or loading list is carried, plus livestock, post, towing and combined transport within 65 km of a designated terminal. Local trips inside built-up areas are also allowed on the last two Saturdays before 24 December, which are 2026-12-12 and 2026-12-19. Our Austria truck driving ban guide covers the Alpine corridor rules, and the Austrian HGV speed limits help you time the legal windows.

Do the Alpine motorway bans apply at Christmas?

The WKO overview lists no December dates in the 2026 ban calendar for the A12, A13 and A4, and its Luegbrücke Saturday bans end on 2026-10-03. The A12 in Tyrol also carries its own night and Euro-class bans, so check the Tyrol rules for your route. No 2027 calendar was on the WKO page on 2026-10-23, so recheck the regulation before planning January runs.

Frequently asked questions

Is 24 December a truck ban day in Austria?

No. 24 December is not on the list of Austrian public holidays and falls on a Thursday in 2026, so only the night ban from 22:00 to 05:00 applies to trucks above 7.5 tonnes. The same is true for Thursday 2026-12-31.

Can a truck drive in Austria on Saturday 2026-12-26?

No. Stephanitag is a public holiday with a ban from 00:00 to 22:00, and Saturdays are closed from 15:00 to 24:00, so the two bans overlap for the whole day. The Sunday ban then runs until 22:00 on 2026-12-27, and the exemptions still apply.

Are trucks under 7.5 tonnes banned on Austrian holidays?

A single truck up to 7.5 tonnes gross weight is not covered. A truck with a trailer is covered when either the truck or the trailer is above 3.5 tonnes gross weight.

Can I deliver fresh food during the Austrian holiday ban?

Yes, for the listed fresh foods and ready-to-eat preparations. The driver must carry a consignment note or loading list for each unloading point and show it at checks.

Planning a run through Austria over the holidays? Request a free freight quote in under 2 minutes .