Several German Länder have introduced temporary exemptions from Sunday and public-holiday truck driving bans following low water levels on the Rhine and the resulting disruption to inland waterway transport. The scope of the exemptions differs significantly: some Länder limit them to freight diverted from inland waterways, while others allow broader relief for HGV traffic or transport operations linked to the low-water situation.
North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland have introduced exemptions for road transport linked to the effects of low water levels. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the exemption applies until 31 August 2026 and covers transport operations, including associated empty journeys, directly or indirectly linked to the consequences of low water levels on the Rhine.
In the Upper Rhine, Baden-Württemberg is expected to introduce a temporary relaxation from 16 August, although the final scope of the measure has yet to be confirmed.
Lower Saxony has introduced temporary relief from Sunday restrictions. In Schleswig-Holstein, Sunday and public-holiday restrictions have been temporarily suspended until 31 August 2026.
In Berlin and Brandenburg, the exemption is limited to freight that would normally be transported by inland waterway but must be moved by road because of low water levels. Thuringia has adopted a broader temporary suspension covering HGV traffic, currently indicated as applying until 31 August 2026.
Temporary measures have also been announced in Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with further details on their scope and entry into force to be confirmed. Saxony has not introduced a general low-water exemption. Individual exemption permits remain necessary where the normal driving ban applies.
Implications for Shippers
The exemptions allow additional opportunities to move freight by road where inland waterway transport is affected by low water levels. However, the different rules between Länder create additional requirements for route planning.
An exemption granted in one Land does not automatically apply in another. Shippers and carriers should therefore check the rules applicable in each Land along the route, including which types of transport and cargo qualify, whether empty return journeys are covered, the validity period, and whether a separate exemption is required.
The exemptions do not affect statutory driving-time and rest-period requirements. Road capacity may also remain constrained due to increased demand and the summer holiday period.
For a broader overview of scheduled truck driving bans and public-holiday restrictions across Europe, see the ESC 2026 Calendar of Public Holidays and Driving Bans for Trucks in Europe. The calendar provides a useful reference for transport planning, while the exemptions described above are exceptional measures introduced in response to the current low-water situation on the Rhine.