Drivers of popular vehicles have been warned to expect delays this month after several driving restrictions come into effect throughout Europe.

The European ban will impact HGVs and larger vehicles, creating significant complications for freight companies and holidaymakers alike during the peak summer travel period.

The warning follows the news that numerous European nations have implemented weekend and public holiday restrictions on HGVs, aiming to reduce driver workload and alleviate congestion on major routes.

These seasonal measures, while potentially beneficial for tourist traffic flow, risk generating unforeseen complications for supply chains and delivery schedules across the continent.

The restrictions will be in place for the remainder of the summer months

UK logistics firm Baxter Freight has now highlighted that both commercial enterprises awaiting shipments and families embarking on European road journeys need to be aware of these regulations.

The restrictions vary considerably between nations, with some countries enforcing complete weekend prohibitions while others target specific hours or particular dates throughout August.

France has imposed lorry restrictions each Saturday between 7am and 7pm, alongside Sunday prohibitions lasting from midnight until 10pm throughout the summer period. Additional French restrictions apply on August 14 and 15.

Meanwhile, German authorities have banned HGVs on Saturdays from 7am to 8pm and Sundays from midnight to 10pm during August.

Across Europe, HGVs will be forced to take alternative routes due to the driving restrictions

Italy enforces some of the most comprehensive restrictions, with prohibitions spanning June through September, particularly affecting weekends and public holidays between August 1 and 24.

Elsewhere in Poland, it restricts vehicles exceeding 12 tonnes from late June until August's conclusion, with bans on Fridays from 6pm to 10pm, Saturdays between 8am and 2pm, and Sundays from 8am to 10pm.

Both Austria and Spain will begin implementing targeted restrictions around August 15, with Austria additionally enforcing weekend-long prohibitions.

"Every summer we see these restrictions cause avoidable delays and backlogs, especially for businesses and individuals unaware of how extensive they are," stated Jari Rasmussen, associate director at Baxter Freight.

He emphasised that understanding these regulations will become crucial for anyone coordinating freight movements or planning vehicle journeys across European borders.

"Understanding these rules, whether you're managing shipments or just trying to get across Europe by car, can help avoid unnecessary disruption," Rasmussen added.

The logistics expert also warned that insufficient awareness of the restrictions continues to create "preventable complications" for companies and travellers each year.

While personal vehicles remain exempt from direct restrictions, the resulting traffic patterns and secondary effects can still significantly affect journey times and goods delivery schedules.

HGVs face several European road bans this month

Beyond the road restrictions, European logistics face multiple additional challenges during the summer months. Manufacturing facilities across the continent shut down during August, resulting in diminished production capacity and postponed product availability.

Shipping demand fluctuates dramatically before and after summer holidays, creating bottlenecks at ports and on major transport routes.

According to Rasmussen, "beyond the road bans, there are other logistical challenges that the summer period brings," including these operational difficulties that compound the impact of driving restrictions.

These factors can create a perfect storm of delays affecting both commercial shipments and consumer deliveries throughout August, the expert warned.

"Ultimately, knowing the rules and preparing for delays could be the difference between a smooth journey or receiving goods on time - and frustrating standstills or fines of up to £1,800," Rasmussen explained.