Driving ban for heavy goods vehicles in France 2025

France has been implementing various measures for years to protect the environment and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

One such measure is the driving ban for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on certain days and during specific hours. The purpose of these regulations is to reduce emissions, ease road congestion and enhance traffic safety.

In this article, you will learn about the driving restrictions in France, which types of cargo are exempt from the ban and the penalties for violating these regulations.

Table of contents

When does the HGV driving ban apply in France?

Public holidays 2025

Summer travel restrictions

Driving ban in Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Route planning

Exemptions from the driving ban

Fines for violating the ban

HGV driving ban in France

The driving ban in France applies to both domestic and foreign trucks.

The restriction primarily covers heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 7.5 tonnes, except for specific types of transport that are exempt, which we will discuss later in this article.

When does the HGV driving ban apply in France in 2025?

HGV driving bans are in effect on weekends and selected public holidays. The most stringent restriction applies from Saturday at 22:00 until Sunday at 22:00.

During peak holiday seasons and national holidays, these restrictions may be extended to accommodate increased tourist traffic. This means that in some cases, the ban may start as early as Friday evening and last until Monday morning.

General Rules – HGV Driving Ban in France:

• Every weekend: from Saturday at 22:00 to Sunday at 22:00 (permanent ban).
• The day before public holidays: from 22:00 until 22:00 the next day.
• On holiday Saturdays: from 00:00 to 00:00 (24 hours).
• On Sundays before public holidays: from 00:00 to 00:00 (24 hours).
• On Sundays and public holidays (except Saturdays): from 00:00 to 22:00 the following day.

France – HGV driving ban on public holidays

In 2025, driving restrictions for heavy goods vehicles in France will apply on the following dates and national holidays:

Date	Holiday	Region / Department
January 1	New Year’s Day	All regions
April 18	Good Friday	Moselle, Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin
April 20	Easter Sunday	All regions
April 21	Easter Monday	All regions
May 1	Labour Day	All regions
May 8	Victory Day	All regions
May 29	Ascension Day	All regions
July 14	Bastille Day	All regions
August 15	Assumption Day	All regions
November 1	All Saints’ Day	All regions
November 11	Armistice Day (1918)	All regions
December 25	Christmas Day	All regions
December 26	Second Day of Christmas	Moselle, Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin

Summer 2025 HGV driving restrictions in France

During the summer of 2025, additional restrictions will apply to heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

As per the official regulations, HGV traffic will be prohibited on the entire road network on the following Saturdays from 07:00 to 19:00:

• July 5, 12, 19 and 26
• August 2, 16 and 23

These restrictions aim to ease congestion and improve road safety during peak holiday travel periods.

HGV driving ban in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region

In addition to the national summer restrictions, specific winter traffic bans have been introduced in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region—known for its ski resorts and heavy winter tourism.

Heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be banned from driving on the region’s roads on the following Saturdays:

• February 8, 15 and 22
• March 1 and 8

On these dates, HGVs will not be allowed to operate between 07:00 – 18:00 and 22:00 – 00:00.

Transport planners should take these restrictions into account to avoid unexpected delays and optimize their delivery schedules.

HGV driving ban in the Île-de-France region

The Île-de-France region, which includes Paris and its surrounding areas, imposes additional driving bans on heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

Aside from general nationwide bans, specific restrictions apply on certain summer Saturdays in 2025:

• July 5, 12, 19 and 26
• August 2, 16 and 23

On these dates, truck movement will be completely prohibited between 07:00 – 19:00, but will be permitted from 19:00 until midnight.

Additionally, Paris itself has specific entry and exit restrictions.

Outbound traffic restrictions from Paris

• Fridays: 16:00 – 21:00
• Saturdays: 10:00 – 18:00 and 22:00 – 00:00
• Sundays and Public Holidays: Complete ban from 00:00 – 00:00
• Days before Public Holidays: 16:00 – 00:00

Inbound traffic restrictions to Paris

• Mondays and the day after Public Holidays: 06:00 – 10:00
• Saturdays and the day before Public Holidays: 22:00 – 00:00
• Sundays and Public Holidays: Complete ban from 00:00 – 00:00

When traveling through Île-de-France, it is essential to consider these restrictions and plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary downtime.

There are exceptions to these bans, particularly for time-sensitive cargo, such as temperature-controlled goods and seasonal agricultural products.

Route planning

Before setting off on a journey through France, especially during periods affected by driving bans, it is crucial to carefully plan your route while considering all applicable restrictions. Proper planning helps avoid unexpected delays and potential fines.

One of the best solutions is using advanced route planning tools, such as HOGS Maps, which optimize transport efficiency and increase profitability.

This tool not only provides real-time updates on driving bans but also assists in:

• Selecting the most efficient route
• Estimating precise transportation costs
• Analyzing historical freight rates on specific routes
• Calculating the total cost of freight transport

With HOGS Maps, your journey across France and other European countries will be smoother, more cost-effective and fully compliant with local regulations.

Try HOGS Maps for 14 days – totally free!

Who is exempt from the driving ban in France?

France has certain exceptions to the driving ban for trucks over 7.5 tons. These exemptions apply to vehicles carrying time-sensitive goods or essential transport operations.

Exemptions from the driving ban in France

✅ Transport of live animals – permitted if they occupy at least half of the vehicle’s loading space. Agricultural vehicles transporting perishable products such as dairy, meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables are also exempt.

For multiple deliveries, once the first drop-off is completed, further deliveries may continue within the same region and neighboring regions without restrictions.

✅ Equipment transport for events – vehicles delivering equipment for events scheduled for the same day or the following day are allowed to operate.

✅ Fireworks transport – if the fireworks are scheduled to be used within 24 hours of delivery.

✅ Transport of liquefied hydrocarbon gases NOS (UN1965) and petroleum products (UN1202, 1203, 1223) for sporting events when same-day or day-prior delivery is necessary.

✅ Delivery of newspapers and magazines – ensuring timely distribution to newsstands.

✅ Office and factory relocations – within cities, these operations can proceed despite the restrictions.

✅ Mobile sales vehicles – trucks selling products within the region of origin and neighboring regions.

✅ Air freight transport – deliveries directly linked to airport operations.

✅ Medical waste transport and healthcare supplies – including hospital linens and essential medical products for the healthcare sector.

✅ Transport of medical gases and industrial gamma radiography equipment – critical for healthcare and industrial safety operations.

✅ Empty trucks returning after delivery – vehicles that have completed their last delivery can return to their point of origin or neighboring regions.

These exemptions allow specific transport operations to proceed despite the bans. However, it is strongly recommended to verify the detailed regulations for specific dates and routes in advance.

Fines for violating the driving ban in France

Failing to comply with the driving restrictions in France can result in significant fines and additional penalties.

The fine for individuals is €750, while companies (legal entities) can be fined up to €3,750. If the violation occurs on a road with no safe detour options, such as near dangerous exits or tunnels, the fine increases to €1,500.

In severe cases, the driver may be banned from operating vehicles for up to three years. The offense also results in an automatic penalty of three demerit points.

France driving ban – summary

The 2025 truck driving ban in France aims to reduce air pollution, enhance road safety and encourage greener transport solutions, similar to policies in other European countries.

Although these regulations have faced opposition from transport companies and drivers, their long-term environmental and economic benefits could outweigh the initial challenges. Transport companies must carefully plan their routes and delivery schedules. In some cases, this may require investing in advanced route-planning tools or considering alternative transport methods such as rail or waterways.