Trucks over 20 tonnes banned from driving. Bulgaria restricts traffic until 6 August

From 4 to 6 August 2026, temporary traffic restrictions apply in Bulgaria to trucks weighing over 20 tonnes. The restrictions are introduced between 1:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on routes where the air temperature exceeds 35°C.

According to the Bulgarian Road Infrastructure Agency, regional road administrations are continuously monitoring weather forecasts. Temporary traffic arrangements are introduced in coordination with the Traffic Police.

The restrictions apply along the entire length of the following motorways:
❌ Trakia,
❌ Struma,
❌ Maritsa,
❌ Europe.
❌ On the Hemus motorway, the ban applies to sections running through the regions of Sofia, Lovech, Targovishte, Shumen and Varna.

Restrictions also apply on national roads

During the hottest hours of the day, the movement of trucks weighing over 20 tonnes is also suspended on selected sections of first- and second-class roads. The restrictions apply, among others, to:
- road I-1 Vidin–Vratsa in the regions of Vidin, Montana and Vratsa,
- road I-2 Ruse–Varna from kilometre 12 to kilometre 146, in the regions of Ruse, Razgrad and Shumen,
- road I-3 in the regions of Pleven, Lovech and Veliko Tarnovo, from kilometre 7 to kilometre 170,
- road I-4 from Koritna to Shumen, running through the regions of Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Targovishte and Shumen,
- selected sections of road I-5 in the regions of Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora and Haskovo,
- road I-6 from the Kalofer exit to the Petolachkata junction,
- road I-7 Silistra–Shumen, - selected sections of road II-55 Debelets–Predela–Gurkovo,
- road II-66 from Bogomilovo to the junction with the Trakia motorway near Svoboda,
- road III-663 on the Chirpan–Tselina section.

On road I-5, the ban applies, among others, to the section from kilometre 6 to kilometre 115 in the regions of Ruse and Veliko Tarnovo, as well as the route from Shipka Pass to the vicinity of Pchelarovo, between kilometres 170 and 319.

Exemptions from the restrictions

The ban does not apply to vehicles carrying: - perishable food products, - temperature-controlled goods, - live animals, - dangerous goods covered by ADR regulations.

The restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of road surface deformation during extreme temperatures and to improve the safety of drivers and other road users. The Bulgarian Road Infrastructure Agency is urging drivers to exercise caution, comply with the restrictions and avoid risky overtaking manoeuvres. Drivers should also refrain from using emergency lanes to bypass congestion, as this may prevent emergency services from reaching the scene of an incident.

Source: Bulgarian Road Infrastructure Agency