Truck Restriction in the Basque Country on August 12, 2026: What Transporters Must Do

Key data

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will occur over Spanish territory, and the Basque Country is located in the area of maximum visitor influx. The Basque Traffic Authority has published Resolution 6/2026, of July 24, which modifies the Resolution of July 1, 2026, adding complementary restrictions to prevent total collapse of the road network.

The measure is clear and without geographic exceptions: the entire road network of Euskadi is closed to heavy vehicles during the critical time slot. If your company has routes that cross or end in the Basque Country that afternoon, you need to act before August 12.

What does this regulation establish?

Resolution 6/2026 modifies the Resolution of July 1, 2026, which already established special traffic regulation measures in Euskadi due to the eclipse. This new resolution adds complementary restrictions given the magnitude of the expected event.

The specific content of the prohibition is as follows:

The regulation being modified is the Resolution of July 1, 2026, which already contained special measures. This Resolution 6/2026 acts as an additional layer of restriction, not as a complete replacement of that one.

Economic and operational impact

For transport and logistics companies with operations in Euskadi, the impact is direct and quantifiable in terms of cancelled routes, delivery delays and rescheduling costs.

• Affected afternoon routes: any service scheduled to arrive or depart from the Basque Country between 17:00 and 23:59 h on August 12 must be moved forward or postponed.
• Rescheduling cost: shift changes, driver overtime for early departures before 17:00 h, or accommodation costs if the vehicle is immobilized away from base.
• Sanction risk: non-compliance entails sanctions under current Traffic Law and possible vehicle impoundment, adding additional operational and reputational cost.
• Lifting opportunity: the Basque Traffic Authority can lift the restriction if actual traffic conditions permit, communicating this to transport associations and on its official website. It is advisable to monitor that channel.

The impact is especially relevant for companies with capillary distribution in the Basque Country, last-mile operators and transporters with evening or night-time delivery slot contracts.

Who does it affect?

• Road freight transport companies with vehicles or combinations exceeding 7,500 kg of MMA or MMC.
• Logistics operators with routes that cross, enter or leave the Basque Country on August 12, 2026 between 17:00 and 23:59 h.
• Industrial and distribution companies that manage their own heavy fleet and have deliveries scheduled in Euskadi that afternoon-night.
• Self-employed transporters with vehicles above the 7,500 kg threshold operating in the area.

Not affected by the restriction:

• Buses and coaches (regardless of their weight).
• Vehicles listed in Annex III of the Resolution of January 9, 2026 (essential services).
• Vehicles listed in Annex IV of the Resolution of January 9, 2026 (emergencies).

If your vehicle could be included in those annexes, verify your situation by directly consulting the Resolution of January 9, 2026 or contacting your transport association.

Practical example

A food distribution company based in Burgos has scheduled a route with an 18,000 kg MMA truck that must deliver merchandise to a supermarket in Bilbao on August 12 at 19:00 hours.

Under this resolution, that vehicle cannot circulate on any road in the Basque Country from 17:00 h. If the truck enters Basque territory after that time, it incurs an infraction with risk of sanction and vehicle impoundment.

The options the company has are:

1. Move forward the delivery: reorganize the route so the truck enters and exits Euskadi before 17:00 h on August 12.
2. Postpone the delivery: reschedule for August 13, assuming storage costs or contractual impact with the customer.
3. Monitor possible lifting: the Basque Traffic Authority can lift the restriction if conditions permit. Follow their website and transport association channels on August 12 itself.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify all affected routes: review transport planning for August 12 and detect which vehicles over 7,500 kg are scheduled to circulate through the Basque Country between 17:00 and 23:59 h.
2. Verify if any vehicle is exempt: check if any of your vehicles are included in annexes III or IV of the Resolution of January 9, 2026 (essential services or emergencies). In case of doubt, consult with your transport association.
3. Reschedule deliveries and routes: move forward departures to complete transit through Euskadi before 17:00 h, or postpone deliveries to August 13.
4. Communicate changes to customers: inform recipients of merchandise in advance about possible delays or schedule changes, to avoid contractual penalties.
5. Monitor the Basque Traffic Authority website: the resolution provides that the restriction can be exceptionally lifted according to actual traffic conditions that day. Follow official communications and transport association channels on August 12 itself.
6. Inform drivers: ensure that all affected drivers know about the restriction, the exact schedule and the consequences of non-compliance (sanction + possible vehicle impoundment).

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16665