The German transport authority BALM has resumed truck inspections in road freight traffic in April 2026. BALM stands for Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility. The authority checks, among other things, cabotage, rest periods, tolls, and technical regulations.
This directly affects Germany. However, the topic is practically relevant for anyone driving in Germany or assigning transports there. This also includes EU carriers, Swiss freight forwarders, and British transport companies.
A total of 1,693 vehicles were inspected during the controls. In the area of cabotage, there were 1,436 checks. The BALM identified 80 violations in 51 cases. Additionally, 63 violations against the prohibition of spending the regular weekly rest period in the vehicle were recorded.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this serves as a clear warning signal. Those working with subcontractors or purchasing cheap spot market transports should take a closer look. If a carrier improperly manages cabotage or rest periods, it can quickly lead to fines, delays, and discussions with customers.
It is also important to note: The numbers come from targeted inspections. They do not reflect the entire market but primarily indicate where the authority is focusing its attention. Nevertheless, the direction is clear: Cabotage and rest periods remain a key focus of inspections.