TRUCK TOLLS IN EUROPE – WHERE DOES WHAT APPLY?

Staggering of toll rates

For German truck drivers, there are a number of important toll regulations that they should be aware of:

The toll rates are adjusted regularly and are staggered. They are based on fixed factors (see table). These include

• the vehicle’s emission class (Euro emission class),
• the_{CO2 emission class} of the vehicle,
• the weight of the vehicle,
• the number of axles and
• the distance traveled (number of kilometers).

Basically, the more environmentally friendly the vehicle, the lower the toll rate. Toll Collect assigns each vehicle to one of the 4_{CO2 emission classes}– initially it is always emission class 1, which is why this should serve as the basis for the following table. The amounts are lower in the higher emission classes.

 

Toll rates per kilometer since December 1, 2023
Weight and axles	Euro emission class	Infrastructure share (ct/km)	Share of air pollution (ct/km)	Share of noise pollution (ct/km)	Share ofCO2 emissions (ct/km)	Toll rate (ct/km)
7,5-11,99 t	Euro 1 and 0	6,7	11,4	1,6	8,0	27,7
	Euro 2	6,7	11,3	1,6	8,0	27,6
	Euro 3	6,7	8,8	1,6	8,0	25,1
	Euro 4	6,7	5,9	1,6	8,0	22,2
	Euro 5	6,7	4,3	1,6	8,0	20,6
	Euro 6	6,7	1,5	1,6	8,0	17,8
12-18 t	Euro 1 and 0	10,9	12,3	1,6	10,4	35,2
	Euro 2	10,9	12,1	1,6	10,4	35,0
	Euro 3	10,9	10,1	1,6	10,4	33,0
	Euro 4	10,9	6,3	1,6	10,0	28,8
	Euro 5	10,9	5,2	1,6	10,0	27,7
	Euro 6	10,9	1,5	1,6	10,0	24,0
> 18 t up to 3 axles	Euro 1 and 0	14,3	16,9	1,6	15,8	48,6
	Euro 2	14,3	16,4	1,6	13,8	46,1
	Euro 3	14,3	13,4	1,6	13,8	43,1
	Euro 4	14,3	8,0	1,6	13,4	37,3
	Euro 5	14,3	6,2	1,6	13,4	35,5
	Euro 6	14,3	2,2	1,6	12,4	30,5
> 18 t with 4 axles	Euro 1 and 0	15,5	18,7	1,2	15,8	51,2
	Euro 2	15,5	18,2	1,2	13,8	48,7
	Euro 3	15,5	14,9	1,2	13,8	45,4
	Euro 4	15,5	8,7	1,2	13,4	38,8
	Euro 5	15,5	6,2	1,2	13,4	36,3
	Euro 6	15,5	2,3	1,2	13,4	32,4
> 18 t from 5 axles	Euro 1 and 0	15,5	18,7	1,2	16,2	51,6
	Euro 2	15,5	18,2	1,2	16,2	51,1
	Euro 3	15,5	14,9	1,2	16,2	47,8
	Euro 4	15,5	8,7	1,2	16,0	41,4
	Euro 5	15,5	6,2	1,2	16,0	38,9
	Euro 6	15,5	2,3	1,2	15,8	34,8

Note: The data in the table is based on information from toll-collect.de.

Current figures and data

The truck toll in Germany was adjusted at the beginning of 2023. The increase in toll charges is based on a new road cost report, which is prepared every five years to calculate the toll rates.

With the SVG CargoApps truck route planner, drivers can calculate the toll costs for their routes at any time and thus plan better.

The governing parties have agreed that a toll reform will be introduced on January 1, 2024, which includes the extension of the HGV toll to vehicles weighing 3.5 tons or more and the introduction of a_{CO2 toll}.

Why the toll charges are rising

According to the Federal Ministry of Transport, the higher toll rates are expected to increase toll revenue to an average of around 8.3 billion euros between 2023 and 2027 – compared to 7.6 billion euros in the previous year. This would increase revenue to a total of 41.5 billion euros over the next five years.

The aim of the HGV toll is to finance the transport infrastructure. It charges polluters for the costs of noise and air pollution in addition to road use. This is intended to create an incentive to use commercial vehicles with the lowest possible emissions and to shift shift transportation to rail or waterways.

Tolls on highways and federal highways

In Germany, trucks have to pay tolls on highways and federal highways. Some bridges and tunnels are also subject to tolls. Such special toll routes include the Herren Tunnel between Lübeck and Travemünde and the Warnow Tunnel in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

There are also exceptions, such as private or residential routes, on which no tolls are charged. Some stretches of highway are also toll-free.

It is important to note that price information in connection with route planning is only taken into account on important through routes. Tolls may vary on other routes or they may be free of charge.

 

TOLL SYSTEMS IN EUROPE

Truck drivers have to pay tolls in over 30 countries in Europe. For logistics transports that by truck to neighboring European countries in most cases a toll has to be paid. The amount of the charges is technically determined by various toll systems. These vary from country to country. There are either vignettes or distance-based tolls, which vary depending on the country and route.

The vignette – the time-based toll

In some countries, the truck toll is collected by vignettes, which must be purchased before the start of the journey, whereby either a physical or an electronic vignette is required. The physical vignette can be purchased at petrol stations or border crossings. It must be clearly visible on the windshield.

Digital vignettes can be purchased online in some countries. They are recorded electronically. Both toll systems have advantages and disadvantages and the choice depends on the individual needs and destinations of each country.

A vignette is compulsory for trucks in these countries:

• Bulgaria: physical or electronic vignette, depending on the road network and for the Danube bridge
• Denmark: Eurovignette on freeways and expressways for vehicles over 12 tons and bridges, ferries and tunnels for vehicles over 3.5 tons

• Estonia: due on freeways for HGVs from 3.5 tons since 2018
• Great Britain: due since April 2014 for trucks over 12 tons

• Latvia: electronic vignette for vehicles weighing 3 tons or more for freeways and main state roads as well as for sections of first-class state roads (P5 and P80)
• Lithuania: electronic vignette, on highways
• Luxembourg: electronic Eurovignette for trucks over 12 tons

• Moldova: Vignette on all roads

• Netherlands: electronic Eurovignette for trucks over 12 tons
• Romania: physical or electronic vignette, depending on the road network
• Sweden: physical or electronic vignette for trucks over 12 tons
• Switzerland: for trucks from 3.5 tons

The time-based truck toll gives truck drivers the right to use the roads, regardless of the actual distance driven.

Toll stations and on-board unit – the route-based toll

Other countries charge for the specific number of kilometers driven on a toll route – directly at a fixed toll station, where there are often special lanes for trucks.

In some countries – as in Germany – the toll is collected automatically via an on-board unit. To do this, drivers must equip their trucks with a toll system and the toll charges are billed automatically. Alternatively, the amount due can be paid directly on site.

The distance-based toll is levied in the following European countries, although there is not a specific HGV toll everywhere:

• Albania: exclusively for the Kalimash tunnel
• Andorra: exclusively for the Envalira tunnel
• Belarus: for motor vehicles over 3.5 tons on freeways and some regional roads
• Belgium: for trucks over 3.5 tons on freeways and roads as well as the Liefkenshoek tunnel
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: for all motor vehicles on parts of the A1 highway, on the E661 and on the Autoput from Banja Luka to Doboj
• France: freeways, bridges, tunnels and parking lots, generally for vehicles over 3.5 tons
• Georgia: Trucks from 12 tons on all freeways
• Greece: for all motor vehicles, for a total of 6 highways
• Ireland: for all motor vehicles, toll limited to a few sections
• Iceland: exclusively for the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel
• Italy: all highways with the exception of the A2 from Salerno to Reggio di Calabria and for some tunnels and mountain passes
• Croatia: all freeways and some tunnels for vehicles over 3.5 tons
• Montenegro: Tolls only for the Sozina Tunnel and the section of the A1 between Smokovac and Mateševo
• North Macedonia: on the M1, M3 and M4 highways
• Austria: on all highways and expressways, in some cases also for private roads, bridges and tunnels
• Poland: on the A1, A2 and A4 highways
• Portugal: for trucks over 3.5 tons on freeways and some bridges
• Serbia: for all motor vehicles over 3.5 tons on freeways and motorway-like roads
• Slovakia: on all highways and expressways, optionally via on-board unit or e-vignette
• Slovenia: for motor vehicles over 3.5 tons on freeways, expressways and for the Karawan tunnel
• Spain: for trucks from 3.5 tons, only on privately operated freeways
• Turkey: all highways and some bridges and tunnels
• Czech Republic: for trucks over 3.5 tons on freeways and selected federal roads
• Ukraine: for trucks from 12 tons, aid transports are exempt from tolls due to the war
• Hungary: for trucks over 3.5 tons on freeways, expressways and national roads

Advantages and disadvantages of distance-based and time-based truck tolls

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of truck toll. The distance-based toll is fairer and rewards those who drive less on toll roads. However, detours are then more likely to be taken in order to avoid the toll charges.

Time-based tolls are easier to manage and do not require time-consuming recording of the routes driven. However, it can lead to drivers and hauliers making unnecessary journeys in order to take full advantage of the right to use the roads. Ultimately, the choice of toll type depends on the individual needs and destinations of each country.

Whether time-based or distance-based: In many countries, the amount to be paid depends not only on the distance traveled on a toll road, but often also on the vehicle class. There are also partial toll rates for infrastructure costs and air pollution.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T PAY?

In many European countries, there are toll inspectors or cameras that record the license plates of vehicles. If a vehicle is on the road without a valid toll, this can lead to a fine or penalty. In some countries, the vehicle may also be temporarily impounded until the outstanding tolls are paid.

Fines can also be expected if, for example, the truck toll is paid incorrectly, an incorrect emissions class is specified or the booked route is deviated from.

It is therefore important that truck drivers find out about the toll regulations in the respective country before starting their journey and prepare themselves accordingly in order to avoid fines or other penalties. It is also advisable to regularly check the current toll rates and fees to avoid unexpected costs. Good preparation and route planning can help.

CONCLUSION

In Europe, there are a variety of different toll systems for trucks on highways and expressways. Some countries rely on distance-based tolls, while others require digital or physical vignettes. There are also countries that charge a special toll for bridges, tunnels and mountain passes.

Overall, it is important that truck tolls in Europe continue to play an important role in financing transport infrastructure and making transport more environmentally friendly. However, it is equally important that the toll systems are transparent and fair in order to avoid unnecessary burdens for road users traveling by truck.

Picture credits:

Image 1: stock.adobe.com © Sergii Figurnyi

Image 2: stock.adobe.com © Mauricio G

Image 3: stock.adobe.com © DjiggiBodgi.com