During the summer season, many European countries implement a summer driving ban for heavy goods vehicles. The goal is to alleviate congestion during peak tourist seasons and enhance road safety. In the first article of our new series, we focus on the regulations in Romania and Bulgaria – two countries frequently crossed by Polish hauliers en route to the Balkans.
Romania – summer driving bans on Selected Routes
In Romania, from 1 July to 31 August 2025, a summer driving ban applies to heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 7.5 tonnes. These restrictions cover key road sections leading to the Black Sea and through the Carpathian Mountains.
➡️ A2 Motorway (Bucharest – Constanța)
During this period, an additional summer driving ban applies to vehicles over 7.5 t GVW:
🔸 Friday: 12:00 – 22:00
🔸 Saturday & Sunday: 06:00 – 22:00
This ban applies to the entire length of the A2 – the main route to the Black Sea coast.
➡️ DN39 National Road (Agigea – Mangalia)
Also valid from 1 July to 31 August with a summer driving ban in effect:
🔸 Friday to Sunday: 06:00 – 22:00
Applies to trucks over 7.5 tonnes, particularly on this popular coastal road leading to seaside resorts.
📌 DN7 National Road (Pitești – Veștem)
This section is subject to permanent year-round restrictions for trucks over 7.5 tonnes GVW:
🔸 Friday: 18:00 – 22:00
🔸 Saturday & Sunday: 06:00 – 22:00
These are not seasonal bans – they apply throughout the year, regardless of the season.
🌡️ Heat-related restrictions
When temperatures exceed 35°C, Romanian road authorities may impose temporary bans on trucks over 7.5 tonnes GVW across the national road and motorway network:
🔸 Typically: between 10:00 and 20:00 (exact hours announced via official notices)
➡️ Exemptions:
Bans do not apply to vehicles transporting perishable goods, live animals, or fuel.
Additional restrictions may also be introduced in the case of traffic disruptions or extreme weather conditions.
Bulgaria – Weekend Bans During the Summer Season
In Bulgaria, seasonal bans are in force from 1 June to 15 September 2025, applying to vehicles with a GVW over 12 tonnes. These restrictions aim to ease weekend traffic congestion, especially on routes heading toward the Black Sea.
➡️ Ban hours:
🔸 Friday: 17:00 – 20:00
🔸 Sunday: 14:00 – 20:00
➡️ Affected routes:
The restrictions apply to the most heavily trafficked national and tourist roads, particularly those leading to Varna, Burgas, and the borders with Romania and Turkey.
🌡️ Heat-related bans
During heatwaves, Bulgarian authorities may impose daytime bans on trucks over 12 tonnes GVW:
🔸 Daily: 12:00 – 20:00
These decisions are issued in advance by the Road Infrastructure Agency (API) and remain in effect until officially lifted – it’s important to monitor official announcements.
✅ Practical Recommendations
Plan your routes carefully, taking into account the exact times and days of driving bans, to avoid unnecessary delays and penalties.
Stay up to date with local traffic authority updates – many agencies provide information in English.
📌 Coming soon: The next part of our series “Summer driving ban in Europe” – including Croatia, Germany and France!
If you’re shipping goods to Southern Europe and want your cargo to arrive on time and without disruptions, get in touch with us. We’ll handle your transport from A to Z.
