Vehicles under 3.5 T
In France, there is no French vignette system for road taxes. The French authorities have imposed the French motorway tolls, for the collection of tolls for the transit of the country. In addition, there is also an ecological vignette that classifies the vehicles according to the degree of pollution.
Tolls in France are paid at the toll stations at the exit from the highway section traveled, and the amount depends on where you entered the highway.
All French motorways are tolled, and there are many of them. Along them, you will find free parking lots, gas stations and mini-restaurants. However, it is important to note that these facilities do not operate around the clock, as is the case in Romania. If you are planning your trip and driving mostly at night, it is essential to take into account the reduced hours of gas stations and restaurants on the highways.
Also in France, there is a surcharge for using motorways and roads on weekends and during certain time slots, information which is often displayed along the motorway.
How do I pay French toll roads?
Whether you have a car or a truck and need to pay the French vignette (French toll roads), you will pay at the toll booths at the motorway exit.
In France, it is not possible to pay the France motorway toll online, but you can pay at toll stations in various ways:
- Cash: You can pay the fee in euros, dollars, pounds or Swiss francs.
- Card: Payments are accepted with CB, Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard or Cofinoga cards.
- The Télépéage Liber-t system: For a faster and automated option, you can install the Télépéage Liber-t device on the car and you will pay the toll passing through the special toll lane, at a maximum speed of 30 km/h.
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. To find the exact locations of toll stations, you can consult the full toll roads France map available on the website of the French toll authorities.
Vehicle categories for French vignette
The categories of vehicles related to cars under 3.5 T to pay the France motorway tax (French vignette) are:
- Class 1 – This class includes vehicles with a maximum total height of 2 meters, including and with a MTMA (maximum authorized mass) less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes. This class also includes rolling units with a maximum total height of 2 meters and with the MTMA of the tractor vehicle less than or equal to 3.5 tons.
- Class 2 – Vehicles in this class have an overall height between 2 and 3 meters inclusive, and MTMA less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes. Undercarriages with an overall height between 2 and 3 meters and MTMA of the towing vehicle less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes also fall into this class.
- Class 5 – Class 5 includes motorcycles, motorcycles with attachments and tricycles.
Ecological vignette France
France has introduced the ecological vignette as a measure for classifying motor vehicles in their pollution stage. This vignette must be applied to the right side of the windshield, either top or bottom. This need to be buy bonus besides the French vignette for the roads.
Currently, the obligation of this ecological vignette is implemented in Paris, but it is aimed to extend this measure to other large French cities.
The green dot is intended for electric cars, while the other vehicles are framed in a palette of colors according to their degree of pollution, as attested in the car’s license plate. Vehicles manufactured before 1997 are not eligible to receive these dots.
The ecological vignette is issued free of charge within 14 days and has unlimited validity for the vehicle for which it was purchased. Each ecological vignette is specific to a registration number.
To buy online this ecological vignette in France, you can access this link.
Fine for French toll roads
If you drive on French motorways without paying the French toll roads (French vignette), you risk a €750 fine. It is important to be aware of these rules and purchase the vignette or pay the appropriate fee at the motorway exit toll booths. Thus, you will avoid fines or other inconveniences.
How can I avoid the French motorway tolls?
In order to avoid the toll roads and to travel at a lower speed, you have the option of choosing the express highways in France.
These expressways have a speed limit of 80 km/h, which may be suitable for certain journeys or preferences. To find optimal routes in France and plan trips without using toll roads, you can go to the autoroutes.fr website. This will also help you with the France toll calculator.
Tolls tunnels and bridges France
In addition to the France motorway toll, you will also have to pay a number of tolls for bridges and tunnels in France, if you cross them, these are not included in the price of the French vignette.
| Tunnels and bridges | Motorcycles | Vehicles under 3,5 t category 1 | vehicles under 3,5 t category 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunelul Puimorens | 4,20 EUR | 6,90 euro | 14,30 EUR | |
| Tunelul Maurice-Lemaire | 3,70 euro | 6,10 euro | 9,60 EUR | |
| Podul Normand | 0,00 EUR | 5,50 EUR | 6,40 euro | |
| Podul Tankarville | 0,00 EUR | 2,60 EUR | 3,20 euro | |
| Viaduct Millau | 5,30 EUR | 10,80 EUR | 16,10 EUR | |
| Viaduct Millau | 5,30 EUR | 8,60 EUR | 12,90 euro | |
| Tunnel du Frejus one way | 31 euro | 46 euro | 61 euro | |
| Tunnel du Frejus 2 way | 39 euro | 58 euro | 77 euro | |
| Tunelul Mont Blanc one way | 31 euro | 46 euro | 61 euro | |
| Tunelul Mont Blanc 2 way | 39 euro | 58 euro | 77 euro | |
| Tunelul Prado Carenage | 2,80 EUR | 2,80 EUR | 2,80 EUR |
Vehicles over 3.5 T
French motorway tax and toll device for French vignette
If you are a transporter, you have two options to pay the toll pass France for trucks. The first option is to pay in cash or by card at the toll booths at the highway exit. The rate will be based on the class 4 of the truck and the distance traveled.
Instead, another simpler option is to install the Télépéage Liber-t device on the car. With this device, you will be able to pay the toll automatically by passing through the dedicated toll lane with the Télépéage Liber-t system, at a maximum speed of 30 km/h.
This second option will help you save time and avoid queues at toll stations, as payments will be made automatically and quickly, without the need to stop at each toll station. Thus, you can benefit from a more efficient and delay-free journey on the French highways.
Vehicle categories
Vehicle categories determine the amount for the France motorway toll(French vignette). The classes established by the French authorities for vehicles over 3.5 T are:
- Class 3 – This class includes vehicles with 2 axles, having an overall height of more than 3 meters or with an maximum authorized wight of more than 3.5 tonnes.
- Class 4 – Class 4 includes vehicles with more than 2 axles, with a total height of at least 3 meters or with an maximum authorized wight greater than 3.5 tons. Also, rolling stock with an overall height of at least 3 meters and rolling stock having an maximum authorized wight of more than 3.5 tonnes are included in this class.
Fine for French vignette
If you drive on the motorways in France without paying the appropriate toll, you risk a fine of €750. It is important to be aware of these rules and purchase the vignette or pay the appropriate fee at the motorway exit toll booths. Thus, you will avoid fines or other inconveniences.
