HGV driving ban in Poland 2025

Like many other European countries, Poland has long applied regulations restricting the movement of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on certain days and at specific times. In 2025, these restrictions will be in force on selected public holidays as well as during some weekends.

Read this article to find out on which days HGV traffic will be banned on Polish roads and what exceptions are provided for in the regulations.

Table of contents

When does the driving ban apply in Poland?

Public holidays with driving bans in 2025

Summer holiday truck bans

Route planning

Exceptions to HGV driving bans

HGV traffic ban on Polish roads

Like many countries in Europe, Poland has introduced truck traffic restrictions to improve road safety and reduce congestion during periods of increased travel. These bans mainly apply on public holidays and selected weekends, and are intended to facilitate smoother journeys for other road users.

This section outlines the exact hours the bans apply and the types of vehicles affected.

When does the HGV ban apply in Poland – general rules

The driving bans apply exclusively to trucks and vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 12 tonnes and are enforced across the entire network of national and express roads.

Ban hours:

• All public holidays – from 08:00 to 22:00
• Holiday eves (the day before the holiday) – from 18:00 to 22:00

It’s important to note that the restrictions do not apply to buses or other passenger-carrying vehicles. This ensures that public and tourist transport can operate without disruption, which is particularly important during peak travel periods.

Carriers planning to travel through Poland should take these restrictions into account to avoid unnecessary delays and penalties.

HGV traffic ban – 2025 holiday calendar

In Poland, truck traffic is restricted on selected public holidays when road traffic volumes are typically higher.

Below is the list of official public holidays in Poland for 2025, along with the corresponding truck traffic restrictions:

DATE	HOLIDAY	HGV TRAFFIC RESTRICTION?
1 stycznia	New Year	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
6 stycznia	Epiphany	No
20 kwietnia	Easter Sunday	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
21 kwietnia	Easter Monday	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
1 maja	Labour Day	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
3 maja	Constitution Day	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
8 czerwca	Pentecost	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
19 czerwca	Corpus Christi	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
15 sierpnia	Assumption of Mary	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
1 listopada	All Saints’ Day	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
11 listopada	Independence Day	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
25 grudnia	Christmas Day	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)
26 grudnia	Second Day of Christmas	Yes (08:00 – 22:00)

📌 Important: The only exception to the ban on holidays is 6 January – Epiphany, when truck traffic is not restricted.

Summer truck driving restrictions

During the summer holidays in Poland, additional HGV traffic restrictions are introduced. Their goal is to improve traffic flow on roads that become heavily congested with holiday travellers.

These bans apply from the first Friday after the end of the school year until the last Sunday before the new school term begins. They affect all trucks with a GVW exceeding 12 tonnes and cover the entire national road network.

Summer ban hours:

• Fridays: from 18:00 to 22:00,
• Saturdays: from 08:00 to 14:00,
• Sundays: from 08:00 to 22:00.

📌 Exception: On 15 August (Assumption of Mary), the standard holiday restriction applies from 08:00 to 22:00.

Route planning

A range of restrictions on truck traffic in Poland can significantly affect transport times. As previously mentioned, in addition to driving bans during public holidays and selected weekends, additional restrictions are imposed during the summer months. Therefore, proper route planning is essential to ensure smooth transport operations, avoid delays, and prevent fines.

The best solution in this case is to use modern tools such as HOGS Maps, which allow you to quickly check the current driving bans and choose the optimal route for your journey.

Using HOGS Maps, you can:

✅ Adjust your route to driving bans in force in Poland and other European countries.

✅ Avoid traffic jams and delays thanks to restriction analysis and alternative routes.

✅ Estimate travel costs and optimize expenses.

Try HOGS Maps totally free for 14 days!

Exemptions from truck driving bans in Poland

Despite the restrictions imposed on the movement of heavy goods vehicles in Poland, there are several exemptions that allow them to drive even when a ban is in effect.

These exemptions primarily apply to emergency services involved in rescue operations, vehicles engaged in repairs, special transport operations, and deliveries of goods critical to the economy and national security.

Emergency services and state authorities’ vehicles

Driving bans do not apply to vehicles belonging to the Police, Road Transport Inspectorate, Border Guard, Customs Service, Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, Government Protection Bureau, technical emergency units, as well as fire protection and chemical rescue units.

The exemption also includes vehicles used by radiological protection services and technical emergency response units.

Priority and emergency transports

Vehicles involved in rescue operations, humanitarian aid, or disaster response are granted absolute priority and can move freely regardless of restrictions, whenever immediate action is required.

Special and strategic transports

Certain vehicle categories are allowed to drive during bans if they are involved in key logistical operations. This includes:

• vehicles used in road construction and maintenance, and bridge construction,
• vehicles transporting live animals, milk, grain, and fuel for ships,
• transport of media broadcasting equipment and servicing of mass events,
• postal deliveries and the transport of medicine and medical supplies,
• vehicles transporting goods unloaded from railway wagons within a 50 km radius from the station,
• transport of hazardous goods requiring ADR signage,
• municipal waste transport,
• vehicles used by companies operating on a continuous basis.

Also permitted are transports of food and perishable goods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, or fish. These must make up a significant part of the cargo, and the transport must be properly documented.

International and transit transport

Restrictions also do not apply to vehicles returning to Poland to complete a delivery or reach the consignee of the goods.

Additionally, trucks entering Poland before the ban period begins are allowed to travel up to 50 km from the border crossing point. Vehicles waiting at the border to exit Poland are also exempt.

Individual exemptions and strategic deliveries

In justified cases, it is possible to apply for an individual permit to travel on days covered by the driving ban. This primarily applies to deliveries critical for industry and the energy sector, as well as exceptional situations requiring intervention.

Any carrier wishing to benefit from this exemption must carry appropriate documentation proving the purpose and necessity of the journey.

Summary

In the territory of the Republic of Poland, as in many other European countries, restrictions on the movement of heavy goods vehicles have been introduced on selected public holidays and weekends.

These bans aim to reduce traffic volume, improve road safety, and limit emissions. Additional restrictions are in place during the summer holiday season, when tourist traffic is particularly heavy.

To avoid unexpected stops and fines, proper route planning is essential. The HOGS Maps tool allows for quick access to up-to-date driving bans and helps select the optimal route in line with current regulations.

Moreover, if you’re looking for reliable information on both seasonal and permanent driving bans for trucks in Poland, it is advisable to refer to official government sources, such as the Regulation of the Minister of Transport [1040] on periodic restrictions and driving bans for certain types of vehicles on roads, dated 31 July 2007.