Statistics on economic development leave not the slightest doubt – French economy is one of the top in the European Union. This is well illustrated by data from the European Statistical Office, according to which in 2023 this country alone generated almost 17 percent of the EU’s GDP, ranking second in the list – behind Germany (24.3 percent).
France, with its strong economy, has for years consistently been an important market for European carriers. It is very important to take into account any traffic restrictions when planning your carriages – check when, in which regions and who is banned from driving in France!
Truck ban in France
Each country imposes its own rules governing truck driving bans, but often restrictions involve similar time periods – such as weekend or holiday truck bans.
As in other countries, the driving ban in France applies to heavy transport – in this case, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 7.5 ton. Of course, there are some exemptions to the ban on trucks in France, which we will discuss later in this article.
What are the French driving ban dates in 2024?
We can divide driving bans in France into two groups – permanent bans and seasonal bans, applicable in the summer and winter. Restrictions for trucks over 7.5 ton apply throughout the country:
- on Saturdays and days preceding holidays: from 10:00 p.m. to 0:00 a.m.;
- on Sundays and holidays: from 0:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Driving ban in France in 2024 – holiday calendar:
- January 1 – New Year’s Day;
- April 1 – Easter Monday;
- May 1 – Labor Day;
- May 8 – Victory Day;
- May 20 – Pentecost;
- July 14 – National Day of France;
- August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- November 1 – All Saints;
- November 11 – Remembrance Day;
- December 25 – Christmas.
Which Sundays and holidays are covered by a permanent driving ban?
A permanent ban on driving in France applies during the above-mentioned holidays and on all Sundays – from 0:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. One must also remember that restrictions also apply on Saturdays and on the eve of holidays (10:00 p.m. – 0:00 a.m.).
When do the 2024 holiday driving bans fall?
In 2024, France’s summer-holiday ban on trucks over 7.5 ton will take effect nationwide on the following Saturdays: 6, 20, 27 July and 3, 10 and 24 August, between 07:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. There are certain exceptions to the bans.
Bans in Île de France – Paris area
In Île-de-France, France’s largest metropolitan area, additional restrictions apply, related to the traffic volume on various highway systems.
Driving ban hours in Île-de-France:
- from Paris – Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., eve of holidays: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays: 10:00 p.m. – 0:00 a.m.;
- to Paris: Sunday and holidays: 10:00 p.m. – 0:00 a.m.; Mondays and days after holidays: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
The truck ban in this region of France applies to the following highways:
- A10 – from the A6b-A6b highway junction to RN20 in the Champlan municipality,
- A13 – from the Paris Ring Road to Poissy-Orgeval,
- A12 – from the A13 highway to the RN10,
- A6A and A6B – between the Paris Ring Road and the A6 and A10 highways,
- A106 – the section between the A6b highway and Orly airport,
- A6 – from the junction with the A6a and A6b highways to RN104 in the municipality of Lisses.
What are the driving ban exemptions in France?
The holiday truck ban will not be in effect on August 24 in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est regions (except for certain sections of the A6 and A31 highways) and Hauts-de-France (except for certain sections of the A1 and A16 highways).
Regardless of the restriction periods, there is also a long list of shipments exempted from the above restrictions. Such exemptions include the transportation of goods with high heat sensitivity, for example, dairy products, meat, fish, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Carriage of live animals, medical and chemical supplies, seasonal transportation of agricultural products or daily newspapers is also not restricted. However, it should be borne in mind that performing this type of transport at a place or time when driving is prohibited is possible only after meeting numerous additional conditions, related to such issues as the distance from the first pickup point and filling the available cargo space, among others.
What are the fines and penalties for violating the driving ban in France?
Traffic restrictions can make it much more difficult to complete transport orders smoothly, but we strongly recommend scrupulous compliance with current regulations. Their violation can be costly – the penalty for violating the entry ban ranges from 750 EUR for individuals to 3750 EUR for legal persons. Unauthorized entry onto a certain road sections is punishable by a fine of up to 1500 EUR. In addition, the French regulations in such situations provide for a suspension of the driver’s license for up to three years.
How to plan routes with driving bans in mind?
The role of advanced technology tools has been growing in the transportation industry for years, with TMS systems providing invaluable assistance in planning truck routes. These tools automate many processes, thereby reducing human error and improving the company’s operational efficiency.