Truck bans in Austria: rules and regulations for 2026

Austria’s traffic regulations have specific features shaped by geographic, environmental, and infrastructure factors. As a member of the European Union, Austria follows high road safety standards aligned with EU-wide norms. However, due to the country’s particular characteristics, special restrictions apply to heavy goods vehicles. These measures are designed to improve road safety, reduce noise and air pollution, and protect the environment.

These rules are especially relevant at night, on weekends, and on public holidays. In 2026, the basic restrictions remain in force, while certain motorway sections are subject to special calendar-based regimes published by the road infrastructure operator ASFINAG.

General Rules in Austria: Truck Driving Bans

Austria’s transport infrastructure includes complex routes, often involving mountain passes and long tunnels where truck traffic poses increased safety risks. At the same time, the country implements measures to reduce air pollution and noise levels in major cities and tourist areas. These rules are particularly important on key Alpine transit corridors such as the A12 Inntal Autobahn and the A13 Brenner Autobahn, which serve as the main freight routes between Germany and Italy.

Truck Restrictions in Tunnels

In Austria, truck traffic in tunnels is governed by specific requirements related to limited space, ventilation systems, and emergency safety.

Transit of dangerous goods through tunnels

Austria does not impose a single nationwide ban on the transport of dangerous goods in tunnels. Regulation is based on the ADR agreement as well as national tunnel classification systems. Specific restrictions depend on each individual tunnel and are defined in the official regulations for dangerous goods transport published by the Austrian Ministry of Transport.

The international ADR framework provides so-called Tunnel Restriction Codes, under which each dangerous good is assigned a tunnel category based on its UN number. These codes are listed in ADR Table 3.2 (column 15) and are used by contracting states as a model for risk assessment.

In Austria, however, this system has not been introduced as a single, mandatory national regime for road tunnels. Practical regulation is carried out under national provisions within the framework of the Road Tunnel Safety Act (STSG): the category of a specific tunnel and the applicable transit conditions are defined individually and indicated by road signs before entry. The main transit corridors with such individual regimes for traffic and the transport of dangerous goods run along the A12 Inntal Autobahn, A13 Brenner Autobahn, and A10 Tauern Autobahn, as well as through selected alpine and cross-border tunnels.

3. Night restrictions in tunnels

On the A13 Brenner Autobahn and the A10 Tauern Autobahn, additional night-time driving bans apply in the Luegbrücke, Brenner, Tauern, and Katschberg tunnel sections. These restrictions affect all trucks with a maximum permitted mass over 7.5 tonnes and apply from 22:00 to 05:00, regardless of the type of cargo. These measures apply in parallel with the nationwide Austrian night driving ban and are introduced by the road infrastructure operator ASFINAG based on federal and regional regulations in accordance with the Road Tunnel Safety Act (STSG). Current regimes are published in official orders and traffic information notices.

4. Technical requirements

In Austrian road tunnels, trucks are subject to strict dimensional and weight limits, which generally include:

• maximum height: approx. 4.5 m;
• maximum width: up to 2.55 m;
• maximum gross vehicle weight: up to 40 t;
• maximum axle load: up to 11.5 t.

Stricter limits may apply on certain sections of the A13 Brenner Autobahn, A10 Tauern Autobahn, and A12 Inntal Autobahn, depending on the design of individual tunnels.

Oversized or overweight vehicles exceeding these limits may only pass with a special permit, which must be obtained in advance from ASFINAG or the competent regional authority, specifying the route and time of travel.

Truck Parking Restrictions in Austria

In Austria, parking for trucks with a maximum permitted mass over 7.5 tonnes is strictly regulated and allowed only in designated areas marked by “Halte- und Parkverbot” signs with an additional “LKW” plate or a weight indication (über 7,5 t). Specific parking restrictions are set by municipalities, federal states, and ASFINAG depending on the road type, urban area, and transit importance of the route.

Prohibited Parking Areas

1. City centers. In central districts of Vienna (Bezirke 1–9), Salzburg’s historic old town (Altstadt), and Innsbruck’s city center (Innenstadt), parking for trucks over 7.5 tonnes is prohibited outside designated areas. These restrictions apply in densely built-up zones, pedestrian areas, and restricted-access zones.
2. Tourist areas and protected zones. In tourist regions and protected areas, including the Hohe Tauern National Park and Alpine resorts in Tyrol and Salzburg, truck parking is prohibited outside official parking facilities. Restrictions may be permanent or seasonal and are tightened during peak tourist periods.
3. Mountain roads and Alpine passes. On mountain roads and Alpine passes, including the Brenner Pass and Fern Pass, as well as access roads, truck parking is restricted due to narrow roadways and the need to ensure access for emergency and winter services. In Tyrol, these bans apply year-round and are intensified during winter.
4. Motorways and hard shoulders. On the A12 Inntal Autobahn, A13 Brenner Autobahn, and A10 Tauern Autobahn, parking on hard shoulders, emergency lanes, and near exits or junctions is prohibited. Stopping is permitted only at official rest areas, LKW parking areas, and Autohöfe operated by ASFINAG.

Exceptions to Truck Driving Bans in Austria

There is a clearly defined list of situations in which trucks may be granted permission to drive during restricted hours or days:

1. Emergencies. In the event of natural disasters (floods, landslides, avalanches, major accidents), temporary exemptions may be granted by competent authorities and apply only for the duration of emergency response operations.
2. Transport of priority goods. Exemptions may be granted for the transport of medicines, medical equipment, perishable goods, postal consignments, and emergency supplies. Permits must be obtained in advance, apply to a specific route and time window, and are not automatic.

1. Seasonal exemptions. During winter, limited exemptions may apply for supplying ski resorts and Alpine infrastructure; in summer, for construction and agricultural transport, subject to an approved permit.

Regional Truck Traffic Features in 2026

Tyrol

Tyrol is considered Austria’s key Alpine transit region and applies the strictest truck traffic controls. On the A12 Inntal Autobahn (Kufstein – German border), the truck dosing system (Lkw-Dosierung) remains in force in 2026. The maximum number of trucks heading toward Innsbruck is limited to an average of 300 vehicles per hour. This measure is mainly applied in the morning hours (typically between 05:00 and 10:00) on high-traffic days and aims to protect the Inntal–Brenner corridor (A13 Brenner Autobahn) from congestion. Detailed dates and time windows are published in the official 2026 Truck Dosing Calendar approved by the Tyrol regional government.

Salzburg

In Salzburg, during peak tourist seasons (winter and summer), temporary measures restrict transit truck traffic on approaches to the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels, prioritizing passenger vehicles and local transport. Restrictions apply to exits from the A10 motorway (e.g. Puch-Urstein, Hallein, Kuchl, Golling-Abtenau) onto regional roads if the truck does not have a confirmed destination within the federal state of Salzburg.

Special Restrictions on the A13 Brenner Autobahn in 2026

The Luegbrücke bridge section on the A13 Brenner Autobahn is subject to extensive calendar-based restrictions for trucks in 2026. According to the official restriction calendar published by ASFINAG:

• 36 days of southbound truck bans (toward Brenner / Italy);
• 21 days of northbound truck bans (toward Kufstein / Germany);
• a total of 14 additional restriction days compared to the previous year.

Restrictions are mainly introduced during peak tourist traffic periods, including winter season, Easter, summer months, and selected holiday weekends. On certain days, instead of a full ban, traffic may be managed through dosing or modified lane arrangements depending on traffic volume.

Public Holiday Truck Bans in Austria

On public holidays, a nationwide truck driving ban applies to vehicles with a maximum permitted mass over 7.5 tons. The traffic ban in Austria is in force from 00:00 to 22:00 and applies to major motorways across the country.

Public and religious holidays in 2026

Date	Holiday
01.01	New Year
06.01	Epiphany
01.05	Labor Day
15.08	Assumption of Mary
26.10	National Day
01.11	All Saints' Day
08.12	Immaculate Conception
25.12	Christmas
26.12	Saint Stephen's Day

Weekend truck driving ban in Austria

Weekend restrictions are established by national traffic regulations and apply throughout Austria, regardless of region or road type, in accordance with Austrian road traffic law (StVO):

• Saturday:15:00–22:00
• Sunday: 00:00 to 22:00

These restrictions apply to trucks with a maximum permitted mass over 7.5 tons, as well as vehicles with trailers.

Night driving ban for trucks in Austria

A nationwide night driving ban applies to trucks with a maximum permitted mass over 7.5 tons across Austria. The ban is in force daily from 22:00 to 05:00, regardless of region or road type, unless an official exemption or permit has been granted by the competent authority.

How to Check Current Restrictions Before a Trip

For route planning in 2026, only official sources should be used:

1. Current information on driving bans, traffic conditions, and temporary restrictions is published by ASFINAG in the Verkehr & Sicherheit section of its official website.
2. For sections with special regimes, particularly the A13 Brenner Autobahn (Luegbrücke), the specific restriction calendar should be checked. 
3. When transiting through Tyrol, truck dosing schedules published by the Tyrol regional government must also be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Austrian truck bans apply to empty trucks?

Yes, the restrictions apply regardless of the vehicle's load if its permitted maximum weight exceeds 7.5 tons.

Would it be possible to bypass the Luegbrücke bridge during a ban?

Alternative routes via local roads are also generally limited for transit freight traffic.

Do night bans apply on public holidays?

Yes. The night driving ban applies regardless of weekends or public holidays.