Truck ban partially lifted overnight on 23 October

The truck ban will be temporarily lifted overnight from 22 to 23 October. According to the official government information, the suspension will run from 10 pm on 22 October until 6 am on 23 October 2026 and will apply to goods vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

For motorists, the change primarily means that freight traffic should be expected late on Thursday evening and early on Friday morning. Anyone setting off on a longer journey during this period should plan their route accordingly and decide on stops in advance.

Key times

The partial lifting applies only during a specified overnight period. Based on the official announcement and the Trans.info report, the timetable is as follows:

• From 10 pm on 22 October until 6 am on 23 October: the truck ban will be suspended, allowing the affected heavy goods vehicles to travel.
• Between 6 am and 10 pm on 23 October: the restriction will apply again, according to Trans.info.

According to Trans.info, freight traffic may again be permitted during the daytime on Saturday over the remainder of the long weekend, before the truck ban may come back into force from Saturday evening until Sunday evening. Those travelling later should check the latest traffic information before departure.

Why is the restriction being lifted temporarily?

According to the government announcement, the decision is based on road safety, logistics and goods supply considerations. Allowing overnight travel may help goods vehicles reach their depots or suitable rest areas before the restriction comes back into force on the morning of 23 October.

The change was proposed by the Hungarian Road Transport Association. According to the MKFE statement, the winter exemption does not yet apply in October, while neighbouring countries would not have had a similar restriction on that day. The organisation said a complete overnight ban could have disrupted transit traffic passing through Hungary.

What can motorists travelling overnight expect?

The suspension does not automatically mean congestion will develop on every affected road. It does, however, mean that large goods vehicles may be present on motorways and main roads late on 22 October and early on 23 October, during a period when they would not be permitted to travel under the original public holiday restriction.

When overtaking lorries, drivers of passenger cars should pay particular attention to their following distance and avoid remaining in the driver's blind spot for long. Overtaking long vehicle combinations may take more time, while on wet roads the spray they produce can temporarily reduce visibility.

Driving at night requires greater concentration. Before departure, it is useful to check the lights and windscreen wipers and to clean the windscreen. If tiredness sets in, the journey should be interrupted at a safe place; the planned arrival time must not take priority over road safety.

Choosing a departure time does not solve everything

Those with flexibility over their departure time can consider whether travelling overnight from 22 to 23 October or after 6 am on 23 October better suits their journey. However, the truck ban coming back into force in the morning does not in itself guarantee an uninterrupted trip, as public holiday car traffic may also affect journey times.

It is advisable to check current traffic conditions before departure, as an accident, roadworks or adverse weather can quickly disrupt the original plan. If the route includes several motorways or border crossings, it may be useful to prepare a reasonable alternative as well. However, leaving a motorway is only advisable if the diversion is genuinely safe and justified in terms of journey time.

How to travel more safely near lorries

Heavy vehicles accelerate more slowly, may need more space to brake and can take a wider path through bends than passenger cars. Drivers should therefore avoid moving back into their lane immediately in front of them, particularly near exits and junctions.

• Before overtaking, ensure there is a sufficiently long visible stretch of road and begin the manoeuvre only when there is an adequate difference in speed.
• When moving back into the lane, leave a safe distance in front of the lorry.
• Expect lorries to slow down on long uphill sections.
• Avoid sudden changes of direction beside large vehicles when travelling downhill or in strong crosswinds.
• When approaching a rest area or exit, signal any intended change of direction in good time.

One aim of the overnight lifting is to allow hauliers to reach suitable rest areas. Motorists should therefore plan refuelling and rest stops so that they do not face difficulties if their chosen parking area is busier than expected.

The daytime truck ban does not remove every lorry

The restriction applies to the specified category of vehicles, so motorists should not assume that every main road and motorway will be entirely free of freight traffic after 6 am on 23 October. Traffic conditions are also shaped not only by the number of lorries, but by public holiday car traffic, the weather and any road closures.

The most important point is to distinguish clearly between the time periods: affected lorries may travel from 10 pm on 22 October until 6 am on 23 October, after which the restriction returns between 6 am and 10 pm on 23 October. Checking current traffic conditions, planning rest stops in advance and driving carefully around goods vehicles can all contribute to a safer journey.