Sunday and holiday driving ban in force again
At the beginning of the Corona pandemic, all German states had lifted the existing driving ban on Sundays and public holidays. This regulation expired on June 30, 2021. Since 01 July 2021, everything should be the same, but two events partially prevent this. There are exceptions for the transport of vaccines and related materials (statewide generally until 31.12.2021. Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt 30.09.21, Hamburg 31.01.22. And there are exceptions because of the flood disaster in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. In these two states, the exemption from the Sunday and holiday driving ban for the purpose of disaster relief and reconstruction is valid until the end of November this year.
Extended driving ban
In general, the ban on truck driving applies on all Sundays and holidays between 0:00 and 22:00 for all trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 7.5 tons. In addition, during the vacation season, there is an extended driving ban for trucks over 7.5 tons from 07.00 to 20.00 on all Saturdays in July and August on many highway routes. Exceptions are the transport of fresh food and perishable goods.
Only in the case of paid transport
In Germany, the driving ban applies to the commercial or paid transportation of goods as well as associated empty runs. Incidentally, the ban does not apply to pure tractor units or semitrailer tractors that cannot carry a load and do not have a semitrailer or trailer. The driving ban must be observed throughout Germany on the nine national holidays. These include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, German Unification Day, Christmas Day, and Christmas Day. On non-federal holidays, such as Corpus Christi, Reformation Day or All Saints' Day, the driving ban applies only in certain federal states.
Who nevertheless drives pays fine
Anyone who drives without a special permit despite the ban on Sundays and public vacations or the vacation driving ban will pay. And the fines for this are not exactly small. A driver who has been caught driving on a Sunday or holiday in violation of the ban will pay 120 euros. However, anyone who orders or permits such prohibited driving as an entrepreneur or senior employee can easily expect to pay a fine of 570 euros.
Driving bans abroad
As far as truck driving bans are concerned, each EU country has its own regulations. In Austria, there is both a Saturday and Sunday driving ban for trucks. Driving at night is also subject to certain rules. In general, driving is prohibited on all public holidays. As in Germany, there are exceptions to the driving ban in Austria under certain conditions. In Switzerland, truck driving is banned on weekends and national holidays. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is one of the countries where there is no general ban on truck driving. This means that trucks are allowed to drive without restrictions on Sundays, public holidays and at night.
Everything that is right
Last but not least, the driving bans are also associated with, among other things, sometimes complicated legal issues. For example, whether the "driver's compulsory break" counts as working time, whether the driver is entitled to wage supplements, whether he can claim additional expenses under tax law, and much more. Working hours are regulated by the Working Hours Act (ArbZG). In principle, employees may not be employed on Sundays and public holidays. The ban on employment applies from 0 to 24 hours. As always, there are of course exceptions to this basic rule. These are also regulated in the Working Hours Act. In the case of truck drivers, an advance of 2 hours is permitted. For example, it is common practice in many logistics companies to bring the Sunday rest period forward by 2 hours so that drivers can start at 10 p.m. on Sundays with the end of the Sunday driving ban. Many collective agreements contain their own regulations on Sunday, holiday and night work. These then regulate compensation days, bonuses and much more.
Use time
By the way, if you have the chance to spend this time at home during a driving ban, you should take advantage of it and dedicate the time to your family. For many drivers, a turbulent family life is the best place to recharge their batteries. So even a driving ban can ultimately be perceived positively.
