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Apply for an Exemption from the Truck Driving Ban During School Vacations

Service description
In Germany, on all Saturdays during the peak vacation season from July 1 and August 31 of each year, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 metric tons, as well as trucks with trailers, are prohibited from traveling on specified sections of highways and federal roads.

The ban generally does not apply to
1. combined rail-road freight transport from the shipper to the nearest suitable loading station, or from the nearest suitable unloading station to the consignee,
2. combined port-to-road freight transport between a loading or unloading point and a port located within a radius of no more than 150 kilometers (inbound or outbound transport),
3. the transport of
  - fresh milk and fresh dairy products,
  - fresh meat and fresh meat products,
  - fresh fish, live fish, and fresh fish products,
  - perishable fruits and vegetables,
4. Empty trips related to the trips described in paragraph 3,
5. Trips made in vehicles that are subject to the Federal Benefits Act. The benefits determination must be carried in the vehicle and, upon request, presented to the appropriate officials for inspection.
Procedure
Exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis upon request.
Prerequisites
An exemption may be granted only in urgent cases, when travel by other means of transportation is not possible and no alternative route is available. In such cases, detours must be accepted.

Economic or competitive reasons alone do not justify an exception.
What documents are required?
- Requests must be submitted in writing, but may be informal, and must include a statement of reasons.
- Freight and Accompanying Documents
- If the shipment involves a road transport distance of more than 100 kilometers: a certificate from the freight handling facility responsible for the point of origin stating that rail transport within the specified time frame is not possible.
- Motor Vehicle and Trailer License
- For foreign motor vehicles whose registration documents do not specify the gross vehicle weight and engine power, a corresponding official certificate is required.
What fees apply?
Fees range from 10.20 euros to 179.00 euros. For more information, please contact the appropriate office.
Legal basis
- Regulation to Facilitate Holiday Travel by Road (Holiday Travel Regulation)
- Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt)
Remarks
For more information on the truck driving ban, please visit the website of the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG):
- Truck Driving Ban During the Holiday Travel Season
  (Federal Office for Freight Transport)

Responsible departments

Transport authority