Truck driving ban in Slovakia 2025
23 July '25
Reading time 5 minutes
Slovakia, located in the heart of Europe, plays an important role in European international transport.
In 2025, as in previous years, detailed regulations restricting truck traffic on certain days will apply in this country. They mainly concern weekends, public holidays and selected periods of particularly heavy traffic.
In this article, you will learn about the rules that apply on Slovakian roads and which types of transport are exempt from the ban.
Table of contents
When does the driving ban apply in Slovakia?
Public holidays β driving ban 2025
Exceptions to the driving ban for trucks
Ban on truck traffic in Slovakia
In Slovakia, there are permanent bans on heavy goods vehicles on certain days of the year. Their aim is to reduce congestion on the country’s most important routes, improve road safety and reduce pollution, especially on public holidays and days off work when tourist and private traffic increases significantly.
The bans are not as extensive as in some other European countries, but they are still an important factor in route planning for transport companies.
When and who is subject to the driving ban β general rules
Traffic bans in Slovakia apply to trucks with a maximum permissible weight (MPW) of over 7.5 tonnes. These restrictions apply to all motorways, expressways and main roads of the first class β i.e. where traffic is heaviest.
The driving ban is in force every Sunday and on key public holidays. On these days, vehicles covered by the regulation are not allowed to travel on the specified roads between 00:00 and 22:00.
Calendar of public holidays with truck driving bans in Slovakia
In Slovakia, the ban on trucks applies not only on Sundays, but also on selected public holidays, especially those that are statutory days off. It is worth remembering that it lasts from midnight to 10 p.m., so drivers should plan their stops and deliveries in advance.
Below is a list of Slovak public holidays in 2025 when restrictions apply:
| DATE | HOLIDAY |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day / Day of the Slovak Republic |
| 6 January | Epiphany |
| 18 April | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| 8 May | Victory Day |
| 5 July | Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius |
| 29 August | Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising |
| 1 September | Constitution Day |
| 15 September | Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows |
| 1 November | All Saints’ Day |
| 17 November | Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy |
| 24 December | Christmas Eve |
| 25 December | Christmas Day (1st day) |
| 26 December | Christmas Day (2nd day) |
Carriers should remember that breaking the rules on these days may result in a fine and may also lead to delays in transport.
Holiday ban on truck traffic
During the holiday season, as in many other European countries, Slovakia imposes additional restrictions on truck traffic to improve safety and traffic flow during periods of increased tourist traffic.
During the holiday months, i.e. from 1 July to 31 August, in addition to the standard ban on Sundays and public holidays, there is a ban on driving on Saturdays.
Holiday driving restrictions for trucks:
- Saturdays β from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
- Sundays and public holidays β from midnight to 10:00 p.m.
These bans apply to all motorways, expressways and main national roads and include heavy goods vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of over 7.5 tonnes.
You may also be interested in: Truck ban in the Czech Republic 2025 >>>
Planning your journey through Slovakia
When travelling through Slovakia, it is important to remember the restrictions on truck traffic, especially on weekends and public holidays. If you want to avoid problems and plan your transport in the most efficient way possible, it is essential to use modern tools.
HOGS Maps allows you to check current driving restrictions and select the best route, tailored to local regulations.
Why use HOGS Maps?
- You calculate transport costs and select the most cost-effective routes.
- You plan routes taking into account restrictions.
- You check historical rates and price transport more efficiently.
Try HOGS Maps for 14 days free of charge!
Exceptions to traffic restrictions in Slovakia
Although Slovakian regulations impose traffic restrictions on heavy goods vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of over 7.5 tonnes, there are a number of exceptions that allow them to travel despite the restrictions in force.
These exemptions mainly apply to vehicles performing public or specialised functions or serving key sectors of the economy.
Passenger transport, service vehicles and special vehicles
The bans do not apply to buses, motorhomes or vehicles belonging to the police, armed forces, military police, emergency services, fire brigade, security services, military intelligence and the Slovak Information Service.
Vehicles removing the consequences of accidents, natural disasters and breakdowns, as well as those servicing sporting and cultural events, are also permitted.
Medical, humanitarian and critical transport
Vehicles used to transport medical equipment, medicines and biological material to medical facilities, as well as those transporting medical oxygen, are also exempt from restrictions.
Vehicles transporting humanitarian aid and those used for road maintenance, repair and construction are also exempt from the ban.
Agricultural, food and fuel transport
Exceptions also include seasonal transport necessary for agriculture and the transport of food products and live animals.
Traffic is also permitted for vehicles transporting dangerous goods, supplying petrol stations with fuel, and those operating in combined transport to and from ports, railway terminals or airports.
The exemption also applies to empty vehicles returning from unloading or going to load if they are performing any of the above purposes.
Summary
In Slovakia, traffic bans for trucks with a maximum permissible weight of over 7.5 tonnes apply on Sundays, public holidays and selected Saturdays during the holiday period in 2025.
The restrictions apply to main national roads, motorways and first-class roads. However, the regulations provide for numerous exceptions, including for humanitarian, medical and agricultural transport and transport serving mass events. Knowledge of these rules allows you to avoid penalties and plan your transport through Slovakia effectively.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Are trucks banned in Slovakia?
Yes, there are traffic restrictions in Slovakia for trucks with a maximum permissible weight of over 7.5 tonnes. The restrictions apply to motorways, expressways and main national roads and are in force on Sundays and selected public holidays from 00:00 to 22:00.
During the summer months, from the beginning of July to the end of August, there is an additional traffic restriction on Saturdays. On these days, trucks are not allowed to drive on Slovak roads between 7:00 and 19:00.
What is the fine for driving during a ban in Slovakia?
For violating the truck ban in Slovakia, the driver may be fined several hundred euros.
In the case of foreign drivers, the Slovak police have the right to impose an additional penalty in the form of a driving ban on the territory of Slovakia. Such a ban may be valid for 3 months to even 1 year, depending on the severity of the offence.
