First German states suspend Sunday driving ban for trucks

2026-08-07

Germany's first federal states have temporarily lifted the Sunday and public holiday driving ban for certain trucks as extremely low water levels on the Rhine River continue to disrupt freight transport and threaten supply chains.

The states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland announced that the exemption will take effect immediately and remain in force until the end of September. The move is intended to allow goods that can no longer be transported efficiently by inland ships on the Rhine to be moved by road instead.

According to the transport ministry in Mainz, the exemption applies to truck journeys directly or indirectly linked to the Rhine's low water levels, including related empty return trips. However, oversized and heavy-load transports are not covered by the temporary relaxation of the rules.

Transport State Secretary Markus Wolf said the measure creates the flexibility needed to keep freight moving while river shipping remains heavily restricted. Officials added that Rhineland-Palatinate coordinated the decision with other states to help maintain the flow of goods despite the ongoing disruption on one of Europe's most important waterways.

The decision comes as Germany faces one of the most severe periods of low water on the Rhine in recent years, forcing cargo vessels to operate with significantly reduced loads. Other states, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg, are also considering similar temporary exemptions as authorities work to protect businesses and prevent further supply chain disruptions.