France has a well-developed motorway infrastructure, and finding out about the cost of the motorway in France is important before you hit the road. In this article you will find out everything you need to know about the motorway tax in France.
Whether you are a tourist in France and want to visit Paris or other well-known areas, or you are transiting the country or carrying out a transport, in this article you will find the details you need to be able to set off peacefully.
What you need to know about paying motorway tolls in France
It is important to note that in France there is no road tax vignette. Instead, there is the ecological vignette that classifies your vehicle in the degree of pollution. All roads are paid according to the taxes imposed, the category of the vehicle, the distance traveled and even the day and time you drove.
You will pay at the toll stations at the exit from the motorway section you have traveled, depending on where you entered the motorway.
All motorways are tolled. Their number is very large, and along the highways you can find free parking lots, gas stations and mini-restaurants. It is very important to know that they do not work non-stop, as is usual in Romania. When choosing your route, if you drive mainly at night, it is important to take into account the reduced opening hours of gas stations and restaurants.
There is also a motorway and road surcharge in France at weekends, but also at certain time intervals which are often displayed along the motorway.
France motorway toll according to vehicle category
The value of a French motorway tax will differ depending on whether your vehicle falls within the French standards. There are 5 classes for motor vehicles and 3 criteria for dividing them:
- Overall height of the vehicle or running gear;
- Maximum authorized mass – MTMA (for running assemblies only MTMA of the vehicle is taken into account);
- The number of axles of the vehicle or chassis.
The 5 classes are:
- Class 1 – vehicles with a maximum total height of 2 m inclusive and MTMA less than or equal to 3.5 tons.
- The running assembly with a maximum total height of 2 m inclusive and MTMA of the tractor vehicle less than or equal to 3.5 tons.
- Class 2 – vehicles with a total height between 2 m and 3 m inclusive and MTMA less than or equal to 3.5 tons.
- Running assembly with a total height between 2 m and 3 m inclusive and MTMA of the tractor vehicle less than or equal to 3.5 tons.
- Class 3 – vehicles with 2 axles having an overall height of more than 3 m.
- 2-axle vehicles having MTMA of more than 3.5 tonnes.
- Class 4 – vehicles with more than 2 axles with a height of at least 3 m or an MTMA of more than 3.5 tonnes.
- Running assembly with a total height of at least 3 m.
- Undercarriage having an MTMA of over 3.5 tonnes.
- Class 5 – motorcycles, motorcycles with attachments, tricycles.
How do I pay motorway tolls in France?
The tax can be paid in cash (euro, pounds sterling, dollars or Swiss francs) or by card (CB, Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard or Cofinoga), at the toll stations on the highway.
The France motorway toll can also be paid with the Télépéage Liber-t system, using a device mounted on the car and with which you can pass through the specially designated section at a maximum of 30 km/h.
You can find more about the amount of tolls in France here.
Where do I pay the motorway toll in France?
Regardless of whether you have to pay the France motorway tax for cars or the France motorway tax for trucks, you will pay at the toll stations at the motorway exit.
In France, there is no option to pay the French motorway tax online, but you can pay at the toll stations in:
- cash (in euros, dollars, pounds sterling or Swiss francs);
- card (CB, Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard or Cofinoga);
- with the Télépéage Liber-t system.
These toll stations are located at the motorway exit and the amount of the toll will depend on where you entered the motorway, your vehicle category and the distance travelled.
You can find the complete map of toll stations here.
Motorway tax France trucks
If you are a carrier, you can choose to pay in cash or by card at the toll stations at the motorway exit. The truck falls into class 4 and the charging will be done according to the class 4 and the distance traveled.
However, another simpler option for truck tolls is to install the Télépéage Liber-t device on the car, with the help of which you will only pay by passing through the lane designated for tolling with the Télépéage Liber-t system, at a speed of no more than 30 km/h .
Ecological vignette France
France has joined the countries that implement and oblige, moreover, the ecological vignette France.
The purpose of this vignette is to fit your car into its pollution stage. This vignette is applied to the right side of the windshield, top or bottom.
At the moment, the obligation of this vignette is implemented in Paris, but it is desired to spread the obligation in other large French cities as well.
The green dot is intended for electric cars, and then they have a palette of colors depending on the degree of pollution of the car written on the car’s license plate. Pre-1997 cars do not get such dots.
The eco-vignette is delivered free of charge within 14 days and is valid indefinitely for the car for which you purchased this France eco-vignette. The ecological vignette is issued per registration number.
To purchase the France ecological vignette, go here.
Fines for non-payment of motorway tolls France
As every motorway is tolled, you have no chance of getting away without paying the France motorway toll or fine.
If you don’t pay the motorway tax in France, you risk a fine of €750.
You also have to pay attention to the maximum allowed speed on the route you are traveling on, because these fines are also high:
- up to 19 km/h, where max. 50 km/h: 135 euros and 1 point;
- up to 19 km/h, where max. over 50 km/h: 68 euros and 1 point;
- 20-29 km/h: 135 euros and 2 points;
- 30-39 km/h: 135 euros, 3 points and driving ban for 3 years;
- 40-49 km/h: 135 euros, 4 points and driving ban for 3 years;
- over 50 km/h: 1000 euros, 6 points and driving ban for 3 years;
- repeated violation of the speed over 50 km/h: 3000 euros, 6 points, driving ban for 3 years, the vehicle is confiscated, threatens with imprisonment for three months;
How you can avoid the France motorway toll
To avoid motorways and related tolls, you can choose the express motorway option. But the speed limit is 80 km/h. To find optimal route options in France, visit autoroutes.fr.
Beware of speed limits on French roads! (see previous point)
Tolls tunnels and bridges France
If you choose to go by car in France, you must take into account that even tunnels and bridges are tolled, a list of these prices can be found below:
| Tunnels and bridges | Motorcycles | Vehicles up to 3.5 t cat. 1 | Vehicles up to 3.5 t cat. 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puimorens Tunnel | 4,20 EUR | 6,90 euro | 14,30 EUR | |
| Maurice-Lemaire tunnel | 3,70 euro | 6,10 euro | 9,60 EUR | |
| The Norman Bridge | 0,00 EUR | 5,50 EUR | 6,40 euro | |
| Tancarville Bridge | 0,00 EUR | 2,60 EUR | 3,20 euro | |
| Millau Viaduct | 5,30 EUR | 10,80 EUR | 16,10 EUR | |
| Millau Viaduct | 5,30 EUR | 8,60 EUR | 12,90 euro | |
| Tunnel du Frejus in a sense | 31 euro | 46 euro | 61 euro | |
| Tunnel du Frejus round trip | 39 euro | 58 euro | 77 euro | |
| The Mont Blanc tunnel in a sense | 31 euro | 46 euro | 61 euro | |
| Mont Blanc tunnel back and forth | 39 euro | 58 euro | 77 euro | |
| Prado Carenage Tunnel | 2,80 EUR | 2,80 EUR | 2,80 EUR |
Our road toll payment solutions
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Do you need a toll machine for France? We can help you, contact us now!
For the efficient management of your transport company, the eTMS service offers you the possibility to manage and check all the factors that influence your business.
