Due to Low Water Levels: Saxony Eases Sunday Driving Ban

Due to the ongoing low water levels, Saxony is following suit by easing the Sunday driving ban for trucks. Trucks that replace transport by inland waterway vessels will be allowed to operate on Sundays and holidays through August 31, 2026, the Ministry of Infrastructure announced. This also applies to Saturdays when a driving ban is in effect due to the summer travel season.

No Improvement in Sight

The low-water situation is expected to continue, said Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU). We must not wait until bottlenecks occur. “That is why we are temporarily creating the option to shift necessary shipments of raw materials, intermediate products, or deliveries to the road.”

The exception applies to trucks weighing over 7.5 metric tons, as well as those with trailers, if they are replacing shipments that cannot be transported via waterways due to low water levels. Directly related empty runs are also permitted. This does not apply to oversized and heavy-haul transports.

Numerous states with similar regulations

The Free State is thus revising its previous stance and aligning itself with the special regulations of numerous other federal states, including its Saxon neighbors Brandenburg and Thuringia. As recently as Monday, the ministry had stated that relaxing the Sunday driving ban was not necessary for the time being.

Due to persistently low water levels on German waterways, inland waterway shipping is currently significantly impaired. Some freight transport must be shifted to roads and rail to maintain supply chains. No cargo ships have been sailing on the Upper Elbe in the Czech Republic and Saxony for weeks now.