Truck restrictions in November 2026: plan your All Saints’ Day shipments
A delivery can be calculated correctly in kilometres and incorrectly on the calendar. Before confirming a collection around All Saints’ Day, check the vehicle’s route, the restrictions that apply and whether the recipient will accept the goods at the planned time. The aim is to arrange a workable operation rather than rely on every circumstance being favourable.
Spain’s DGT publishes restrictions for October and November 2026. On 21 October, Guitrans also issued a round-up covering 22 October to 3 November. This is a specific opportunity to review upcoming shipments; it does not mean that every truck is banned throughout the holiday period.
What to check before confirming a date
DGT information identifies vehicles carrying goods with a maximum authorised vehicle or combination mass above 7,500 kg, dangerous goods transport requiring ADR marking, and special vehicles or those requiring supplementary authorisation among the categories affected by certain restrictions. Conditions depend on the case. The annual resolution specifies road sections, dates, times and exemptions: check the 2026 Spanish resolution and its amendments before applying a restriction to your shipment.
For the shipper, the first task is to turn a general enquiry into an identifiable route. The destination country and delivery week are not enough. Provide loading and unloading postcodes, the date the goods will be ready and the latest receiving time. These details allow an actual itinerary and alternatives to be assessed.
Check every territory on the route
The DGT notes that Catalonia, the Basque Country and Navarre have their own powers and may impose other restrictions. Consulting only one calendar can leave part of the journey unchecked. For international routes, also consult the authorities in transit and destination countries. An industry round-up helps with orientation, but the applicable conditions must be checked with the relevant authority.
The unloading appointment is part of the delivery window
Before bringing departure forward, ask whether the recipient can accept an earlier arrival. Reaching the premises on Friday afternoon may achieve nothing if the loading bay is closed or an unconfirmed appointment is required. Moving delivery to Monday also means checking that the centre will be open that day.
Request written confirmation of the receiving slot, an operational contact and the procedure for a missed appointment. This information should reach whoever arranges transport before a vehicle is assigned. You can then compare options knowing what an arrival outside the agreed window would mean.
A planning example, without promised transit times
Imagine a company preparing pallets on Friday and requesting delivery on Monday in another European country. Before accepting, check loading availability, receiving hours, the itinerary and vehicle restrictions. If the destination is closed on Monday, the answer may involve changing collection, agreeing another receiving slot or exploring a logistics alternative. This is an operational example, not a transit estimate or quotation.
A refrigerated truck does not automatically qualify for an exemption
Section B.1.2 of the DGT resolution provides an exemption for certain perishables and fresh fruit and vegetables, subject to vehicle and load-proportion conditions. This provision applies to a specific situation. It does not establish that any refrigerated semitrailer may use any road at any time, or that the same exemption applies abroad.
Describe the product, the space it occupies and the accompanying documentation. For food with specific thermal requirements, add storage instructions and incident contacts. Traffic planning and cold-chain checks need to be coordinated: resolving one does not replace the other.
Assess alternatives without moving the problem elsewhere
An earlier collection may require additional space at origin or destination. A later collection may affect production or the commitment to your customer. A different itinerary may change pricing and availability. Compare each alternative’s full cost, including the resources your own company would need.
When requesting a proposal, separate essential requirements from flexible preferences. State whether goods must leave on a particular date, whether delivery allows a window, and what restrictions the premises impose. Avoid requesting an urgent service when the actual issue is an outstanding confirmation from the recipient: obtaining that confirmation could change the appropriate solution.
A practical checklist for transport planners
- Identify origin, destination and possible transit countries.
- Confirm product, weight, dimensions and vehicle requirements.
- Check restrictions with the competent authority for the date and route.
- Verify actual opening hours at both sites and necessary appointments.
- Agree how incidents will be communicated and who may approve changes.
- Record the quotation’s scope and any conditions awaiting confirmation.
Review available incident information again before departure. An annual calendar does not cover every subsequent change. If a restriction emerges, communicate the impact to the customer and validate the alternative before altering a delivery commitment.
Prepare your next transport enquiry
At TOP CARGO LOGISTICS you can discuss your road transport operation and share load requirements. If you need to coordinate space and transport, also explore warehousing and logistics. Availability, routing and terms will be confirmed for each enquiry.
Do you have a collection or delivery planned in the next few days? Send us the origin, destination, dates and goods specifications so we can assess the operation with the necessary information.
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